Australian Apple and Pear IPDM

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Weeds

published - 12 March 2020
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Fall Armyworm

It’s important that apple and pear growers do not panic about Fall Armyworm. Although apples and pears have been listed as a host, information from North America suggests that it is unlikely to be a major problem for orchards.
Fall Armyworm (Male) (Photo: Lyle J.Buss, University of Florida)
Fall Armyworm (Female) (Photo: …
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fall armyworm

Home, Pests

published - 26 February 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria) and Alison Matthew (DPIRD WA)

Looking for Loopers

When monitoring for Loopers, the first thing David Williams does when he walks into a block is have a look at the trees.
“If I can see insect dropping on leaves and a few chewed leaves, I stand still and quiet, letting only my peripheral vision watch for movement. You’re a …
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Loopers, monitoring

Pests, Resources

published - 20 February 2020
By Dr Stephen Quarrell (University of Tasmania)

Earwigs: ugly critters we should learn to love

Earwigs, everyone knows them, but most people hate them. That said, they are probably one of the best predators in your orchard!
Why are they so good? There are several reasons, in scientific IPM jargon they are what’s called a localised omnivorous predator. What the hell does that mean? The localised …
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beneficial predators, codling moth, earwigs, LBAM, wooly aphid

Beneficials, Pests

published - 13 February 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The brown marmorated stink bug is an exotic plant pest that is a high priority for Australia. This economically damaging pest that could attack over 300 types of fruit, ornamental trees and vegetable crops and become a real nuisance for households.
Arguably the most important action growers can take is simply …
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Brown marmorated stink bug, exotic pest

Pests

published - 6 February 2020
By Alison Mathews (DPIRD WA)

Western fruit moth or light brown apple moth

Pheromone traps are commonly used to monitor for lightbrown apple moth (LBAM). In Western Australia another species, western fruit moth (WFM), occurs. While these species are almost indistinguishable in appearance it is critically important to know which pest is present in your orchard to decide which pheromone to use. The …
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LBAM, light brown apple moth, Western Australia, western fruit moth(WFM)

Pests

published - 4 December 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Woolly aphid parasitoids

At this time of year woolly apple aphid colonies will be starting to expand as crawlers emerging from overwintering sites on the roots, begin to establish on the shoots, and aphids in colonies that survived on branches over winter begin to multiply. The tiny wasp (A.Mali) parasitises woolly apple aphids …
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parasitoids, woolly aphid, woolly aphid parasitoid, woolly aphid wasp

Beneficials, Pests

published - 18 October 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Codling Moth emergence

Codling moth larvae will be breaking diapause, pupating and then emerging as adult moths over the next few months. It is important to note that codling moth has a back up plan in case warm winters affect flowering of their host trees. Some moths (the first cohort) will start emerging …
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codling moth, codling moth emergence

Pests

published - 9 October 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Grower Alert for Southern States: ADB and Thrips

Apple dimpling bugs and thrips have been reported in high numbers in Granite Belt orchards in Queensland. The area is suffering from drought and the insects are probably concentrating on fruit trees because there are few other sources of flowers available to them.
Growers in southern orchards should begin monitoring for …
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ADB, apple dimpling bug, grower alert, thrips

Pests

published - 13 August 2019
By Paul James (Lenswood Co-operative)

Birds, Bats and Other Animal Problems

Australia’s apple and pear growing areas are located in several diverse regions throughout the country. Each of these regions has its own indigenous (and introduced) species of plants, animals and birds. Most of these species are not a problem for orchardists and can often be beneficial but there are several …
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bats, birds, cockatoos, flying fox, kangaroos, lorikeets, netting, noise control devices, rosellas, scaring devices, wallabies

Pests

published - 13 August 2019
By Paul James (Lenswood Co-operative)

Grey Headed Flying Fox moving south

Grey Headed Flying Fox
Fruit growers in northern Australia (Queensland and New South Wales) have had problems with the Grey Headed Flying Fox ((Pteropus poliocephalus) for a long time. Now this native mega bat species continues its movement south and westwards due to habitat issues, drought and competition with the Black …
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flying fox, netting

Pests

published - 1 August 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

How to Calculate Cumulative Leaf Infested Days (CLID’s)

To calculate Cumulative Leaf Infested Days (CLIDs) you need to first monitor weekly or fortnightly using the 10 leaves / tree method and calculate the % of Infested Leaves (click here to download a template Monitoring Sheet).
Here is an example of how to calculate the % of infested leaves:

Sample 5 …
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Cumulative leaf infested days, leaf scorch, mites, monitoring

Pests, Resources

published - 30 July 2019
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Brush up on good bugs

Beneficial insects and mites may already be in your orchard working to reduce populations of pests. But did you know many are also commercially available in Australia?
If you can identify the beneficials in your orchard you may then be able to make more informed decisions and avoid accidentally wiping out …
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beneficials, good bugs, parasites, parasitoids, predators, predatory mites, predatory wasps

Beneficials, Pests, Resources