AU: Citrus growers warned of gall wasp threat in Sunraysia crops
“Citrus growers must learn how to live with the pest, and manage it to avoid productivity losses,” Mr Falivene said.
He said the NSW DPI, the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industry, and Loxton biological control company The Fruit Doctors, have organised a grower information session on on-farm control of citrus gall wasp and Queensland fruit fly at the Sunraysia Citrus Growers’ office in Pine Avenue next Tuesday, from 3pm to 4pm.
Mr Falivene will talk about the identification, lifecycle and control strategies for citrus gall wasp, while Craig Swanbury of The Fruit Doctors will describe the company’s experience in gall wasp control in South Australia.
NSW DPI fruit fly office's Alicia Mellnberg will introduce the fruit-fly control session, and the Victorian DEPI’s Lauren Donaldson will speak about the keys to managing Q-fly on farms.
Mr Falivene said citrus gall wasp (CGW) could cause more problems to citrus orchards across southern Australia.
Citrus gall wasp has recently established in the southern districts of Australia affecting fruit size and yield. In severe cases, the gall wasp could even kill trees.
October was the time when CGW emerged, so growers should be on the lookout if their trees were infested.
Source: sunraysiadaily.com.au