Entomologists at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) are advising berry growers in the state to be aware of an emerging pest, the Bronze Leaf Beetle.
Bronze Leaf Beetles (Diachus auratus) chew on leaves, flowers and fruits, causing poor fruit quality and reduced yields. TIA entomologist Dr Lynne Forster has warned the beetle can cause significant damage to berry crops over only a few weeks.
“The Bronze Leaf Beetle is native to Central America and was first sighted in Australia in 1986. While it’s appearance in Tasmania is not new, it is becoming an increasing problem that fruit growers need to be aware of while they are preparing for the next season,” Dr Forster said.
The beetle is about two-millimetres in size, shiny and is ‘bullet-shaped’ with a flat head.
To read the full article, click the link: An emerging pest in Tasmanian berries | University of Tasmania
