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