Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3
Volume 5
Number 5 September-October, 1956 Article 18
9-1956
Insect pests and their control - Apple Curculio - Preliminary report Insect pests and their control - Apple Curculio - Preliminary report of an experiment
of an experiment
D. G. Shedley
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Shedley, D. G. (1956) "Insect pests and their control - Apple Curculio - Preliminary report of an experiment,"
Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 5: No. 5, Article 18.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol5/iss5/18
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APPLE C U R C U L I O
Preliminary Report Of An Experiment
r p H E damage caused by the apple weevil or apple curculio (Otiorrhynchus cribri- collis Gylh) takes several forms, t h e most apparent being marginal leaf damage. However, the bark chewing habit probably has a more direct effect on yield for it may cause ring-barking of the m a i n leaders and growing shoots with their consequent die-back and the prevention of full development of immature fruit. The larvae or grub forms may also cause some root injury.
In conjunction with experiments being carried out to test the efficiency of various insecticides for the control of t h e beetle, careful studies of its habits and life history are being made.
Two methods of insecticide application were employed in t h e 1955-56 experiment at Donnybrook. Dieldrin and B.H.C. (Gam- mexane) were applied as butt sprays, and dieldrin, lindane, methoxychlor, arsenate of lead and malathion were used as foliage sprays. Four hundred and eighty trees were included in t h e main experiment besides a number of trees in small areas which were used for trials. The two butt treatments (0.5 per cent, dieldrin and 0.5 per cent. B.H.C. gamma isomer) and the dieldrin foliage spray (0.05 per cent.) gave the best control. Of the additional insecti- cides used in the trials aldrin showed the most promise.
The effect of the t r e a t m e n t s on other pests (bryobia mite, apple leafhopper, San Jose' scale, etc.) is being carefully observed,
as application of insecticides for one pest have, on some occasions allowed others to increase. This is due to the toxicity of t h e material to some natural parasites and predators.
Although no evidence has been obtained on the experimental site, dieldrin cover sprays on other orchards have apparently resulted in a build-up of bryobia mite n u m - bers. For this reason it is anticipated t h a t further work will concentrate mainly on butt applications of insecticides.
For the orchardist wishing to control apple weevil, results of this experiment indicate t h a t | per cent, dieldrin or i per cent, gamma isomer B.H.C. (1 part of 15 per cent, or two parts of 7 per cent, to 30 parts of water) should prove very effective when applied to the butts of trees in early December using about 1 quart per tree.
Experiments will be continued in t h e coming season to determine the most eco- nomical rates of application and to test other new insecticides.
599
Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956
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Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956
