News

There are several reports of damage to flowers in the Bundaberg region from a pest previously unknown to macadamia, Citrus Blossom Bug (CBB) Austropeplus sp. Well known as a sucking pest impacting flowers and small fruitlets in avocado and other flowering fruit crops, CBB has not been a problem in macadamia up until this season. Growers and pest scouts are being asked to be on the look out and document any sightings and damage.

Damage 

Preliminary information suggests that high populations of CBB feeding on early-stage flowers cause flowers appears as wet lesions on flower buds which darken to brown or black over time and shrivel. This feeding damage may lead to excessive flower loss and significant yield impact.  

Identification 

Adult CBB range in size from 3.5 - 5mm. Adult body colour is generally yellow-green with dark brown-black colouration on the back and wings. Females tend to be brighter in colour than males, though both have patches of yellow and red on the wings. Adults can be reliably identified in the orchard by the bright yellow-green heart or V-shape mark on the back and the presence of fine gold hairs on the wings.  

Nymphs are green and range from 1 - 4mm in size, depending on the stage. Nymphs can be identified by the red and white banding on the antennae, the red markings that extend over the eyes and a large red spot in the middle of the back in later instars. Nymphs have appeared early in the macadamia flowering period between bud break and full elongation.   

Management 

Start monitoring weekly for CBB adults and nymphs after bud break by direct observation. CBB seem to be most active on developing flower buds during the morning and in higher numbers on the sunny-side of rows. CBB has appeared in trees on the boundary and adjacent rows early in the season first, before moving into the rest of the orchard. CBB nymphs can be difficult to spot but seem to prefer feeding in trees with dense amounts of racemes. Inform your pest consultant if you spot any CBB or typical damage and they will assist you with a management plan.

Image credit: Rohan Orford (images 1-4), Eddy Dunn (images 5-9).