Entomologist and pest control advisor Rob Wepler showcases a successful case of biological control of citricola scale in a Valencia Orchard in the Riverina region. Despite a severe outbreak of citricola scale causing trees to drip with honeydew, the grower opted not to spray and instead relied on natural enemies like the cryptolaemus beetle to feed on the soft scales. Orchard manager Peter Ceccato emphasizes their minimal chemical usage philosophy, working with Riverina IPM to limit chemicals and promote beneficial insects for pest control, particularly focusing on red scale and citricola scale. Releasing cryptolaemus beetles into the orchard boosts natural enemies and effectively controls pests in a sustainable manner.
How Biological Control Can Help Your Citrus Orchard Thrive
Hello, I’m Rob Wepler, an entomologist and pest control advisor in the Riverina. Today, I want to share a fascinating case of biological control of citricola scale in a Valencia Orchard in the northern part of the Riverina. Two months ago, the orchard faced a severe citricola scale infestation, causing the trees to drip with honeydew and develop sooty mold.
Instead of resorting to chemical sprays, the grower decided to let nature take its course. Many are familiar with Cryptolaemus, also known as the mealybug destroyer, as a predator of mealybugs. However, what often goes unnoticed is that Cryptolaemus also feeds on soft scales like brown soft scale, citricola scale, and black scale.
In another block of Valencia orchards, where the citricola scale outbreak originated, signs of the infestation were still visible with remnants of sooty mold on the leaves and fruit. However, upon closer inspection, it was evident that the natural enemies had successfully controlled the scale population. Dead scales littered the leaves, indicating a once-high population that had been decimated by the predators.
Peter Ceccato, the orchard manager for Super Seasons in Hillston, shared their philosophy of minimal chemical usage over the past decade. Working closely with Riverina IPM, they focused on building up beneficial insects to control pests like red scale and citricola scale. By strategically using soft insecticides only in certain blocks, they allowed predator populations to thrive in other areas.
On a beautiful day, the team released Cryptolaemus beetles into the orchard to enhance the existing natural enemies. These mealybug destroyers can be purchased as adults or larvae and play a crucial role in keeping pest populations in check in a natural and sustainable way.
By embracing biological control methods and working in harmony with nature, citrus growers can effectively manage pests while minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. The success story at the Valencia Orchard serves as a testament to the power of biological control in maintaining a healthy and thriving orchard ecosystem.
