III. Blueberry Insects

D.L. Horton, HC Ellis, Ann Amis* and Danny Stanaland**

Georgia's 1996 blueberry crop was valued at $4.125 million, from 5.5 million lbs of fruit that averaged $0.803/lbs.*** Cold injury reduced production by perhaps 45%.

Reduced production encouraged as-need insecticide application. Control measures were effective when applied in a timely fashion. Cranberry fruitworm remains our most important fruit attacking pest.

Growers are concerned about two potential pests of Georgia blueberries--blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax) and blueberry gall midge (Dasineura oxycoccana). Blueberry maggot infestations are extremely uncommon in cultivated Georgia blueberries, but the flies are common on wild blueberry species. Our current recommendations suggest as-needed insecticide applications for blueberry maggot on a block-to-block basis. Blueberry gall midge is a cecidoymiid that is ubiquitous, innocuous vegetative feeder on blueberry species across much of the eastern U.S. Concern exists over early-season losses that may be attributable to flower bud feeding by the blueberry gall midge. Blueberry gall midge injury to flower buds has not been confirmed in Georgia, but it is known to take place in the Gainesville, FL area and the injury can easily be mistaken for cold injury. Research is needed on both of these potential pests. Control cost estimates reflect only the estimated cost of materials. _____________________________________________________________
* USDA/ARS, Southeast Fruit and Tree Nut Research Lab, Byron, Georgia.
** Bacon County Extension Director, Alma, Georgia.
*** Georgia Farm Report 1997. Volume 97, Number 2.

Estimates of Losses and Control Costs