ISHS Acta Horticulturae 715: VIII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
PRODIPLOSIS VACCINII AN INTRODUCED PEST OF BLUEBERRIES IN SOUTHWESTERN SPAIN |
| Authors: | D. Calvo, J.M. Molina, M. Skuhrava |
| Keywords: | Vaccinium spp., susceptibility, cultivar evaluation, pest damage, phenology |
| Abstract:
The first occurrence in Spain of the Nearctic gall midge Prodiplosis vaccinii (Felt, 1926) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is reported. Plants in experimental plots have been infested naturally over the last several years in Huelva (southwestern Andalusia, Spain). Larvae feed inside vegetative meristems, causing leaf distortion, blackening and death of the young buds. Damage included the presence of young leaves that appeared curled and buds had blackened tips, with a sticky appearance when opened. Phenological and incidence data on southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberry cultivars are given. In Huelva, the midges appeared to undergo several generations starting in late spring through fall. Differential percentages of incidence were recorded among blueberry cultivars. Southern highbush blueberry cultivars were less affected than rabbiteye cultivars, which seem to be more susceptible to gall midge infestation. Some distinctive characters of larvae and adults that may help in the identification of this insect are also discussed. | |
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