ISHS Acta Horticulturae 810: IX International Vaccinium Symposium
THE BIOLOGY AND PEST POTENTIAL OF CRANBERRY TIPWORM (DIPTERA, CECIDOMYIIDAE) ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY |
| Authors: | M. Reekie, K. MacKenzie, B. Lees |
| Keywords: | Blueberry Gall Midge, Vaccinium angustifolium, monitoring, Dasineura oxycoccana |
| Abstract:
Investigations of poor yield in lowbush blueberry fields in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia in 2005 led to the discovery of Dasineura oxycoccana, commonly known as cranberry tipworm (CTW). While a known pest of cranberry and highbush blueberry, this is the first documented record of CTW in commercial lowbush blueberry. Biology of CTW and degree of infestation and damage in four suspect blueberry fields were evaluated in 2006 and 2007. In both years in all fields, premature bud break and excessive branching were seen. Four different methods were used to assess population density of CTW in 2006: bud dissection, sticky board traps, insect sweeps and in situ rearing. Of these methods, bud dissection was a sensitive measure of CTW presence but was labour intensive. Rearing, also effective, was the only method used in 2007. A significant number of buds died in all four field sites in 2006 and there was little difference among sites in the extent of damage. However, the number of insects per growing bud varied among fields in 2006. No CTW were found infesting floral buds. Thus, CTW is not thought to be a major problem in these fields, rather changes in fertility programs which have led to excessive vegetative growth are thought to have provided substantial habitat for this pest. | |
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