Articles
CROP LOSS ON POMEGRANATES, PUNICA GRANATUM (LYTHRACEAE), CAUSED BY EARLY SEASON NANOPHYES SPP. (COLEOPTERA: APIONIDAE) INFECTION
Article number
940_57
Pages
397 – 400
Language
English
Abstract
A number of unidentified but distinct Nanophyes spp. (Coleoptera: Apionidae) were found causing damage to pomegranate, Punica granatum (Lythraceae) shoots in South Africa.
Pomegranates bear flowers on new growth, thus damage or loss thereof results in reduced flowering and subsequent lower crop load.
Three orchards in geographic distinct locations in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, incurred heavy Nanophyes infestation pre-flowering, resulting in reduced flowering and lower fruit set.
At location A the first flower flush was lost, yet post pyrethroid (Lambda-cyhalothrin) application and subsequent weevil control, a second flush set and fruit matured.
Location B sustained weevil damage beyond the typical flowering season and no significant 2nd flush was obtained even after pyrethroid application.
At site C damage was so severe that trees dropped their leaves and all young buds where infected.
Growth of the latter trees was severely stunted and even after a late pyrethroid application showed little recovery by budding low down on the main stem.
Due to this infection no flowers developed and complete crop loss was thus sustained.
Pomegranates bear flowers on new growth, thus damage or loss thereof results in reduced flowering and subsequent lower crop load.
Three orchards in geographic distinct locations in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, incurred heavy Nanophyes infestation pre-flowering, resulting in reduced flowering and lower fruit set.
At location A the first flower flush was lost, yet post pyrethroid (Lambda-cyhalothrin) application and subsequent weevil control, a second flush set and fruit matured.
Location B sustained weevil damage beyond the typical flowering season and no significant 2nd flush was obtained even after pyrethroid application.
At site C damage was so severe that trees dropped their leaves and all young buds where infected.
Growth of the latter trees was severely stunted and even after a late pyrethroid application showed little recovery by budding low down on the main stem.
Due to this infection no flowers developed and complete crop loss was thus sustained.
Authors
M. Wohlfarter
Keywords
pomegranates, South Africa, Nanophyes spp., Lambda-cyhalothrin, pyrethroid
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