Biocontrol Science and Technology (2004) 14, 811-821

Liora Shaltiel and Moshe Coll (2004)
Reduction of pear psylla damage by the predatory bug Anthocoris nemoralis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae): the importance of orchard colonization time and neighboring vegetation
Biocontrol Science and Technology 14 (8), 811-821
Abstract: This 5-year field study was aimed at assessing the importance of predatory arthropods in suppressing pear psylla, Cacopsylla bidens (Sulc), and reducing damage caused by psylla in pear orchards in northern Israel. Correlative data suggest that Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) is the only naturally occurring predator in the system that may reduce pear psylla damage; densities of other predacious taxa in the system (Araneidae, Orius spp., Chrysopidae and Coccinellidae) were not correlated significantly with psylla numbers in the orchards. However, A. nemoralis entered pear orchards at least a month after the beginning of pear psylla activity, apparently too late to prevent fruit damage. Data suggest that A. nemoralis reproduction is lower on both wild and cultivated pears than on Rhamnus, Laurus and Pistacia trees in nearby woods. Furthermore, A. nemoralis populations build up on the wild trees in March, but appear in orchards only in late May. We propose that planting R. alaternus trees near pear orchards could enhance the level of biological control of pear psylla by A. nemoralis. Preliminary results indeed show that pear psylla densities were lower on pear trees grown near Rhamnus alaternus trees than on distant trees.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Liora Shaltiel-Harpaz

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cacopsylla bidens	Pear (Pyrus)	Israel
Anthocoris nemoralis (predator)	Cacopsylla bidens		Israel