A team of researchers at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) are using 2500 wasps imported from Chile as their latest weapon as they continue attempts to manage a major pest to the apple industry, codling moth.
Codling moth is one of the most economically damaging pests of apples. In an unmanaged orchard the major pest can wipe out 50 to 90 per cent of the fruit, decimating the crop.
Codling moth also infect quince, pear, nashi, summer fruit, walnuts and chestnuts which if left unmanaged, can reinfest nearby apple orchards.
A research team including TIA Entomologist Dr Jon Finch recently released the wasp species Mastrus ridens at an apple orchard in the Huon Valley. It’s part of the national PIPS 4 Profit program, funded by Hort Innovation using the apple and pear research development levy. The Pest and Disease Management component is a collaboration with partners at Agriculture Victoria, and several other regional partners across Australia.
Mastrus ridens is a parasitic wasp species that targets codling moth. As both originate from central Asia, Mastrus is a highly specialised natural enemy.
To read the full article, click the link below: Chilean wasps join the fight against codling moth | University of Tasmania
