Published in Science - The environmental impacts of organic agriculture are only partially understood and whether such practices have spillover effects on pests or pest control activity in nearby fields remains unknown. Using about 14,000 field observations per year from 2013 to 2019 in Kern County, California, we postulate that organic crop producers benefit from surrounding organic fields decreasing overall pesticide use and, specifically, pesticides targeting insect pests.

Published in Science - Organic and conventional farms are frequently located close to one another because of suitable climate and soil conditions, proximity to marketing channels, ownership, and other local factors. Yet proximity does not necessarily make for compatibility. Drift from pesticide sprays or pollen from genetically modified crops can threaten organic certification status (1).

Rosy apple aphid causes leaf crumple, hinders shoot development, and leads to deformed, small, unmarketable fruits. Honeydew production also causes the development of saprophytic fungi.

Correct agronomical management such as optimal nitrogen (N) fertilisation, irrigation, pruning, and control of the secondary host of the aphid can reduce the incidence of the pest.

How to recognize, evaluate and manage the apple blossom weevil in organic apple orchards.

The apple weevil, Anthonomus pomorum (L.), is a beetle of the Cucurlionidae family (weevil) and poses a great challenge for organic apple growers.

This tool offers informations on how to:

Pest control in organic fruit orchards should not rely on external inputs with adverse effects but on other strategies and methods that support biodiversity and natural cycles adapted to local conditions.

Measures contributing to the enhancement of beneficial insects, pollinators and general biodiversity in the orchard can be integrated in the orchard or at the borders.

Delottococcus aberiae is a widespread invasive mealybug native to South Africa. It reaches high population levels and causes severe distortion and size reduction in developing fruits. Combining different methodologies, such as precautionary measures, application of plant protection products, an attract-and-kill system with sexual pheromone, physical barriers against ants and the release of predators, may help control mealybug.

Beneficial insects often lack enough food supply and nesting spots in orchards. Most of the measures to enhance biodiversity also require investment for implementation. Alternate mowing is a cheap, easy and fast implementable measure to raise food and nesting supply of natural antagonists. The workload decreases, and therefore it saves time and costs. Alternating mulching preserves the driving lanes and increases the diversity of other indifferent plant and animal species in the orchard.

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is the most important and most frequent pest in organic fruit growing. The larvae of the codling moth damage apples in particular and can cause considerable crop losses.

The confusion technique can be considered as an elementary component of codling moth control. The most important condition for successful control is a low initial population.

The Woolly apple aphid (E. lanigerum) can cause severe damage, especially in organic cultivation; sucking activity causes bark growth, the so-called blood louse canker. Promoting natural antagonists in organic orchards is a key element in controlling E. lanigerum. Further, the tree growth should be balanced through proper (root) pruning.

A BIOFRUITNET- Boosting Innovation in ORGANIC FRUIT production through stronger networks publication - A Pear sawfly (Hoplocampa brevis) is a pest in organic fruit production. Eggs are laid during bloom in the flower bottom. Larvae move to 2-3 other fruits and devastate the young fruitlets. Sawflies are attracted to the white colour of the flowers. White sticky traps have been used for many years to monitor flight.