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Aggregation Patterns, Sampling Plan, and Economic Injury Levels for the New Citrus Pest Delottococcus aberiae
J Pérez-Rodríguez1,2, V Martínez-Blay2, A Soto2
1Unidad de Entomología IVIA-UJI, Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Spain.
Journal of Economic Entomology
|December 9, 2017
Summary
Delottococcus aberiae, an invasive mealybug, exhibits clumped aggregation in citrus. Economic thresholds were established to guide integrated pest management for this new pest.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Agricultural Science
- Pest Management
Background:
- Delottococcus aberiae (mealybug) is a new invasive species in Mediterranean citrus.
- This pest causes significant fruit distortion and size reduction.
- Existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are disrupted due to unknown economic thresholds.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine aggregation patterns of D. aberiae in citrus.
- Develop an efficient sampling plan for population density assessment.
- Calculate Economic Injury Levels (EIL) and Economic Environmental Injury Levels (EEIL).
Main Methods:
- Field sampling in 12-19 citrus orchards over two years (2014-2015).
- Fortnightly monitoring of mealybug populations on leaves, twigs, and fruit.
- Correlation analysis between fruit damage at harvest and spring population density.
Main Results:
- D. aberiae showed clumped aggregation across all plant organs.
- Fruit damage at harvest strongly correlated with spring fruit infestation levels.
- EIL and EEIL were determined as 7.1% and 12.1% of occupied fruit in spring, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Established EIL and EEIL provide crucial data for managing D. aberiae in citrus.
- Recommended sampling plans include binomial (275 fruits) or enumerative (140 fruits) methods.
- Bimonthly sampling between petal fall and July is advised for effective monitoring.
