Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Bagging the fruit is sometimes done. This moth has been reported in the
American tropics as far south as Brazil and is a major limiting factor in
Surinam (Paull, 2008).
The bephrata wasp ( Bephrata maculicollis ) is widely distributed throughout
the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. This
wasp is considered to be the most important pest in Florida (Campbell, 1985).
The larvae infest the seeds and cause damage to the pulp, as they bore through
the fl esh to emerge when the fruit matures. The Thecla moth is widespread
through parts of the Caribbean and in the American tropics, but it is not
considered to be as serious as the Cerconota moth and Bephrata wasp. Primary
damage is to the fl owers. The larvae feed on fl ower parts, such as the perianth,
stamens and stigmas, with the fl owers failing to set fruit. Bagging the fruit can
be very ef ective and an economic estimate has to be done.
The banana-spotting bug ( Amblyphelta lutescens ) and the fruit-spotting
bug ( Amblyphelta nitida ) are considered to be serious atemoya pests. Amblypelta
nitida is rare in northern Queensland, with both being pests in southern
Queensland. The bugs cause small, black, 2-10 mm spots on the shoulders of
young fruit and penetrate about 1 cm into the fruit. The damage resembles the
symptoms of diplodia rot (black canker).
Mature green annonaceous fruits have been shown to be rarely infested
by the Mediterranean fruit fl y ( Ceratitis capitata ) and Oriental fruit fl y ( Dacus
dorsalis ), but they are found, on occasion, in tree-ripened fruit. In Peru C.
capitata is one of the most important problems in cherimoya as well as some
Anastrepha species (Franciosi, 1992). Also, in Spain 'Fino de Jete', the major
cultivar grown, is very susceptible to the C. capitata fruit fl y. In Australia, the
Queensland fruit fl y ( Bactrocera tryoni ) infests ripening atemoya fruit. 'African
Pride' appears to be more susceptible than 'Pink's Mammoth'. Use of bait
sprays and fi eld sanitation are recommended measures to minimize fruit-fl y
infestation (Smith, 1991). Fruit bagging also provides protection.
Mealy bugs and various species of scale insects are found universally and
usually become a serious pest on neglected trees. The former is reported to be
a major pest on marketable fruit in some areas of Australia. Red spider mites
can become a serious problem in dry areas or during dry seasons. Scale insects
are normally a minor problem.
Nematodes can be a problem in some places like Chile, where
Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus cause signifi cant reduction in plant growth
in certain areas (Gardiazabal and Rosenberg, 1993).
Weed management
Problem weeds, especially grasses and twining weeds, should be controlled by
cultivation and herbicides before planting. Young trees should be protected
from weed competition by hand-weeding, mulching or contact herbicides. The
 
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