Control methods in organic citrus against the new invasive Mealybug Delottococcus aberiae

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.

Alternate mowing in organic orchards as a biodiversity enhancement measure

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.

Mating Disruption: Key element of a successful building block strategy against Cydia pomonella in organic apple production

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.

Preventive and indirect measures to regulate woolly apple aphid in organic orchards

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.

Direct regulation of the black cherry aphid in organic table cherry production

A BioFruitNet practice abstract. The black cherry aphid (Myzus cerasi) is the main pest in modern organic table cherry production. In orchards with installed rain protection and insect nets, robust aphid populations can build up, leading to significant yield losses and tree damage.  The black cherry aphid can be indirectly and directly regulated. This practice abstract gives recommendations for direct regulation using kaolin, paraffin oil and pyrethrum+soap or azadirachtin at different periods of the aphid cycle.