Leonard Gianessi
Israeli citriculture occupies 18,000 ha. Annual citrus production in Israel totals 600,000 mt with 31% exported fresh. Citrus is Israel’s number one fresh fruit export and must be free of pests and blemishes.
Pest management in citrus groves in Israel is more-or-less satisfactory biological control of most aphids, scales, whiteflies, and mites [1]. Insecticides are used to control four primary pest species for which biological controls are insufficient: Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), citrus mealybug, citrus rust mite, and California red scale. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Israel’s citrus groves has been based on the judicious use of relatively selective insecticides, in combination with biological control. It has been estimated that 100% of the citrus in Israel is managed with IPM [2].
Cottony-cushion scale had a devastating effect on citrus groves in Israel in the early 1900s and has been kept under effective control by the predatory vedalia beetle introduced in 1912. When Green’s mealybug appeared as a serious pest of citrus in the 1930’s it was controlled by a parasite introduced in 1940 from Japan [3]. Another parasite introduced in 1952 from the USA controlled the long-tailed mealybug. The Florida red scale, considered the most important pest of Israel in the 1950s, was brought under complete control in most areas by a parasite imported from Hong Kong [3]. Four species of very damaging whiteflies have been introduced into Israel in the last few decades. The introduction and establishment of natural enemies has brought about excellent biological control.
The success of biological control has been dependent on profound changes in how insecticides are applied to control other damaging pests (Medfly, rust mites).The spectacular success of predators would not have been possible under a regime of repeated cover sprays of chlorinated hydrocarbons and non-selective acaricides. A system of aerial bait sprays containing insecticides was developed for Medfly control. Concurrently, all commercial pesticide formulations recommended for use against insect pests in Israel are tested for their possible effects on natural enemies. Sulfur preparations were practically eliminated from citrus groves and replaced by more selective acaricides [3].
Predatory mites have failed to limit fruit injury from the citrus rust mite [1]. The first citrus rust mite infestation in Israel was identified in 1944 and within 2-3 years, 70 % to 100% of the fruit was damaged [5]. Excellent control is provided by a single annual acaricide treatment.
Following the elimination of the Florida red scale, the California red scale rose to occupy that vacated niche and became a major pest making chemical control necessary in most citrus areas. Biological control is not always sufficient. At present, CRS is under satisfactory control due to the use of selective insect growth regulator insecticides. Usually one application of the IGR is sufficient to maintain the scale population below economic level for a period of two years [4].
The Medfly is a quarantine pest for many importing countries around the world. The EU requires, from non-European third countries, that citrus fruits be free of Medfly. In Israel, Medfly control in citrus is carried out centrally and under a special Ministry of Agriculture regulation. The country-wide program has been based, since 1957, on a network of monitoring traps containing a male attractant, located in commercial orchards, and inspected weekly. The presence of a single male fly in a trap triggers the initiation of aerial application of insecticides. Currently weekly insecticide spraying is the common control method. The centralized control program has proved highly effective. The level of infestation of citrus fruits has been negligible [6]. As a result, Israel has been able to export fruits without obstruction.
1. Drishpoun, Y. 2008. Current situation and new approaches to old challenges in citrus IPM in Israel.
Control in Citrus Fruit Crops. IOBC/wprs Bulletin Vol. 38. P. 285.
2. Franco, J. C., et al. 2006. Survey on the situation of citrus pest management in Mediterranean
countries. Integrated Control in Citrus Fruit Crops. IOBC/wprs Bulletin. 29[3]:335-346.
3. Rosen, D. 1974. Current status of integrated control of citrus pests in Israel. EPPO Bull. 4[3]:363-368.
4. Peleg, B.A., and I. Bar-Zakay. 1995. The pest status of citrus scale insects in Israel (1984-1994). Israel
Journal of Entomology. 24:261-264.
5. Palevsky, E., et al. 2000. Mite problems on citrus and control strategies in Israel. Proceedings of the
International Society of Citriculture IX. Pgs. 760-763.
6. Rossler, Y., and Chen, C. 1994. The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, a major pest of citrus in
Israel, its regulation and control. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin. 24:813-816.
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