We investigated the incidence of citrus pests under netted and in open orchards. Two sites with paired netted and open orchards in the Western Cape were used in the study, one near Porterville and one near De Doorns. Netting differed in the extent of coverage and maintenance of tears. The study found that pests differed more between sites than between open or netted orchards. The differences between pests in netted and open orchards was more pronounced when netting reached to the ground and was repaired regularly.
Within each site, Ceratitis capitata (Medfly) was more abundant in open orchards, while Scirtothrips aurantii (citrus thrips) and scale insects (Coccidae) were more abundant in netted orchards. Other pests showed no significant differences in open or netted orchards. We conclude that differences in pest abundance due to netting is particular to each site, and no general robust trends can be seen.
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Report Source:
Project 1228 (2019/20 – 2022/23) by Davina Saccaggi, Courtney Morris and Martin Gilbert (CRI)
CRI Annual Research Report 2022 – 2023
Image Source:
Firstfruits Consulting