Produce Degradation Pathways and Prevention

348 Produce Degradation: Reaction Pathways and their Prevention

TABLE 11.3
Examples of Fruit Insect Pests in the U.S., Major Problems They Cause,
and Insecticides Used for Their Control

Commodity Insects Problems Insecticides

Apples Codling moth
Cydia pomonella

Surface damage (“stings”) of fruits and

deep inner tunneling of larvae

(“wormy apple”) resulting in internal

breakdown and possible fruit abortion

Azinphos-methyl,

chlorpyrifos,

esfenvalerate,

permethrin, phosmet

Leafrollers

Pandemis

pyrusana,

Choristoneura

rosaceana

Larvae feeding on leaves, buds, and

mainly fruits, resulting in irregular,

shallow scars on fruit surface

Chlorpyrifos, carbaryl,

spinosad, Bacillus

thuringiensis

Bananas Banana aphid
Pentalonia
nigronevosa

A vector of bunchy top virus causing no

fruit production and stunted leaves

Diazinon, malathion

Citrus fruitsa Citrus thrips
Scirtothrips citri

Feeding on fruits leaving scabby,

grayish or silvery scars or conspicuous

rings of scarred tissue on the rind

Abamectin, cyfluthrin,
dimethoate,
fenpropanthrin,
formetanate
Cherries Cherry fruit flies
Rhagoletis
cingulata
Rhagoletis fausta

Larvae feeding on fruits resulting in

maggot-infested, often shrunken and

deformed fruits that ripen earlier than

surrounding fruits

Azinphos-methyl,

carbaryl, permethrin,

phosmet

Grapes Leafhoppers
Erythroneura
elegantula,
Erythroneura
variabilis

Feeding on leaves and spotting of fruits

with honeydew, which serves as a

growth medium for fungi

Imidacloprid

Grape berry moth

Endopiza viteana

Larvae feeding on berries resulting in

their spoilage; damage of leaves before

pupating

Azinphos-methyl,
carbaryl, chlorpyrifos,
diazinon, endosulfan,
malathion,
methoxychlor,
phosmet
Peaches,
nectarines

Oriental fruit

moth

Grapholita

molesta

Larvae feeding on tender twigs and

fruits resulting in wormy fruit and

rapid breakdown

Azinphos-methyl,
diazinon, phosmet,
esfenvalerate,
permethrin,
methomyl
Pears Pear psylla
Cacopsylla
pyricola

Honeydew killing the leaves and serving

as a growth medium for fungi; a vector

of mycoplasma causing pear decline

Abamectin, amitraz,
esfenvalerate,
permethrin
Plums,
prunes

San Jose scale

Quadraspidiotus

perniciosus

Feeding on branches, shoots, leaves, and

fruits, potentially causing permanent

injury and death to mature trees

Carbaryl, chlorpyrifos,

diazinon,

methidathion,

phosmet