Potential invasive pests of agricultural crops.

Chapter 22 (Page no: 401)

Likelihood of dispersal of the armored scale, Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), to avocado trees from infested fruit discarded on the ground, and observations on spread by handlers.

Results are presented of experiments conducted in Homestead, Florida, USA, from 2007 to 2009 to investigate the likelihood of infestation of orchard avocado trees by crawlers of oriental red scale, Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), originating from artificially infested fruit discarded into an orchard. In a favourable climate, the percentage of crawlers settling on a tree from very heavily infested fruit discarded when crawlers were emerging, from fruit with a long shelf life, and from fruit discarded near a tree, was low. Infestation was higher when fruit was in contact with the tree than when it was placed 2 m away. It is concluded that establishment via the pathway of commercially produced fruit for consumption is low, because such fruit has not been observed to be as heavily infested, and is not as likely to be discarded in an orchard as was the study fruit. A second part of the study investigated if fruit handlers could become infested with crawlers and be a pathway for establishment. Fruit handlers did receive a low percentage of crawlers on their clothes when they engaged in brushing crawlers from heavily (>5000 crawlers per fruit) infested fruit in the laboratory. Importantly, the pathway from the handlers' clothes to trees in an orchard has not been demonstrated. Good sanitation and safeguarding practices in the packing houses and the orchards can further ensure the prevention of armored scale introduction via the commodity intended for human consumption.

>>
>> Return to Search Results