Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives AUGUST 2012 RIRDC Publication No. 12/019 Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth August 2012 RIRDC Publication No. 12/019 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-000475 © 2012 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-374-1 ISSN 1440-6845 Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives Publication No. 12/019 Project No. PRJ-000475 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165. Researcher Contact Details Sonya Broughton Stewart Learmonth Senior Entomologist Entomologist Department of Agriculture and Food WA Department of Agriculture and Food WA 3 Baron-Hay Court Locked Bag 7 South Perth 6151 Manjimup 6258 Western Australia Western Australia Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Electronically published by RIRDC in August 2012 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313 ii Foreword Black scale and apple weevil have been identified as the key pests of Australian olive groves in a recent study and their control and management are a high priority for industry. Both pests can be managed using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques. This study investigates the use of IPM to address these pests in Australia. This project was funded from voluntary industry revenue and RIRDC core funds provided by the Australian Government. The Western Australian Department of Agriculture also provided in-kind funding through the Horticulture Program. Western Australia olive growers, whilst not providing direct funds for the project, assisted with the research. This included spraying commercial-sized blocks, collecting samples and checking weevil bands. The Spray Adjuvant Company of Australia provided cash for the first year of the project. This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 2000 research publications and it forms part of the Olives R&D program, which aims to: • provide information which establishes the benefits of Australian olive products • maintain the current high quality product while improving productivity, profitability and environmental management through all stages of the supply chain • develop strategies for existing and new olive producers to reduce the effects of climate change and variability • build and educated, collaborative, innovative and skilled industry workforce and a cost effective, well funded RD&E program. Most of RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313. Craig Burns Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments We gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by the following individuals and groups: Mike Baker Hugh Patterson Elizabeth Blincow Jane Speijers Peter Burnett Mark Stanaway Helen Collie Dick Taylor Brad Harnett Nigel Thompson and Debra Archdeacon David Cousins Judith Williams Deb and Mal Dickie James Altmann (Biological Services, Peter Gaebler South Australia) for providing Peter Grainger and Garrick Burl Metaphycus spp. Steve Hale and Wayne Lange Andrew Matthews of SACOA for Jessica Harrison providing funding and support Brad Harnett The Western Australian Olive Growers John Higgins Association for supporting this project, Robert Jack and for providing in-kind funding Peter Needs Abbreviations APVMA Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority IPM Integrated pest management NRA National Registration Authority IGR Insect growth regulator SACOA Spray Adjuvant Company of Australia SEM Standard error of the mean WA Western Australia iv Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................. ix Black scale .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction and background ........................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Methodology .................................................................................................................................... 7 Results and discussion ................................................................................................................... 10 Recommendations for black scale control ..................................................................................... 23 Apple weevil ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Introduction and background ......................................................................................................... 24 Objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Management of apple weevil in commercial groves ..................................................................... 26 Timing of egg laying ..................................................................................................................... 52 Diurnal movement of apple weevil adults ..................................................................................... 53 General discussion ......................................................................................................................... 55 Recommendations for apple weevil control .................................................................................. 58 Appendices ........................................................................................................................................... 59 Appendix A: List of biocontrol agents released for control of black scale in Australia (adapted from Waterhouse and Sands 2001) ................................................................................. 60 Appendix B: 2005 Survey of Western Australian olive groves for black scale parasitoids and predators .................................................................................................................................. 62 Appendix C: Publications/communication .................................................................................... 64 Glossary ................................................................................................................................................ 65 References ............................................................................................................................................ 66 v Figures Figure 1 Heavy infestation of black scale in Western Australia showing sooty mould on trunk, twigs and leaves .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Figure 2 Scale insects occurring on olives in Australia .................................................................................... 2 Figure 3 Mean number of live black scales of different stages per sample per