GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER IMPACT ON ORANGE YIELD, FRUIT SIZE, AND QUALITY

• Author(s): Hix, Raymond; Arpaia, Mary; Grafton-Cardwell, Elizabeth; Lovatt, Carol;
• Abstract: We need to know what impact the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata, has on fruit yield, size and quality as well as tree vigor. The goals of this project are to determine the usefulness of management of GWSS to prevent yield loss, fruit size reduction, and degraded fruit quality. This information is paramount before we can even begin to incorporate these into conventional IPM programs. First we have to know what impact GWSS has on citrus, and second we need to know how to use the materials against the GWSS in IPM programs to prevent potential losses. Prior to this study, efforts to manage GWSS in citrus were primarily to suppress populations to limit the spread of Xylella fastidiosa. The primary goal of the first year of this project was to properly set up the three experiments in this project. First, the research sites had to be evaluated for suitability. Second, high and low populations of glassy-winged sharpshooters had to be established at a site with Valencia oranges and a site with Navel oranges.
• Publication Date: Dec 2002
• Journal: 2002 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium