Evaluation of methods for the control of damage to apples by dimpling bug in Tasmania

Abstract

An investigation begun in 1965 into the dimpling of apples in northern Tasmania revealed that it was caused by a mirid bug. This insect, commonly called the dimpling bug, was identified as Rhodolygus milleri Ghauri, and it was found to breed in Cupressus macrocarpa Gord. In northern Tasmania where macrocarpa hedges are common orchard windbreaks, severe dimpling damage to fruit, especially Granny Smith apples, was widespread. Control experiments showed that orchard sprays gave no reduduction in dimpling injury. Treatment of macrocarpa before adult bugs had developed, with 0.1 per cent DDT or 0.05 or 0.075 per cent vamidothion, caused severe mortality of dimpling bugs on macrocarpa with a consequent lessening of dimpling bug damage in adjacent orchards.