The woolly apple aphid (WAA), Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a well-known pest of apple orchards world-wide. Several studies have demonstrated variable control of WAA populations by the European earwig, Forficula auricularia (L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) and the WAA parasitoid Aphelinus mali (Halderman) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). We examine whether a beneficial interaction between F. auricularia and A. mali exists and calculate optimal numbers for each species to maintain WAA infestations below acceptable levels. We demonstrate that trees possessing >14 earwigs per trunk trap per week within the first seven weeks post-blossom contained WAA infestations well below acceptable levels. Where these earwig thresholds were not met, a first generation of A. mali greater than 0.5 wasps per tree was required. If these beneficial insect targets were not met, severe WAA infestations occurred. Our findings suggest that if F. auricularia and A. mali numbers exceed these thresholds chemical intervention may not be required.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Eriosoma lanigerum, Forficula auricularia, Aphelinus mali, woolly apple aphid, earwig, apple, entomology, integrated pest management
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Horticultural production
Research Field:	Horticultural crop protection (incl. pests, diseases and weeds)
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Horticultural crops
Objective Field:	Pome fruit, pip fruit
UTAS Author:	Quarrell, SR (Dr Stephen Quarrell)
UTAS Author:	Corkrey, R (Dr Ross Corkrey)
UTAS Author:	Allen, GR (Associate Professor Geoff Allen)
ID Code:	114395
Year Published:	2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:	19
Deposited By:	Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
Deposited On:	2017-02-15
Last Modified:	2018-05-22
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