Annona Species Monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

Chapter 10. Agronomy
control this pest. Spraying should be directed at the fruits and started when
they are still small (Torres and Sánchez, 1992)
The moth Anonaepestis bengalella is cited as the most destructive pest of
sugar apple fruit in the Philippines (George and Nissen, 1992; Coronel,
1994). Another moth Oemanus ortygnus, which is widespread throughout the
Caribbean region and the American tropics is considered a minor pest
(Nakasone and Paull, 1998) and attacks the flowers instead of the fruits. In
addition to the natural control methods described above for the annona moth,
the removal of damaged and attacked fruits from the ground or even from the
plant, followed by burial in holes at least 50 cm deep, would be a very
effective cultural practice. The same chemical control can also be used for
both species.
The soursop wasp (Bephratelloides maculicollis or B. cubensis,
Hymenoptera), also called the annona seed borer (plate 5), is the second most
important insect pest. Similarly Talponia batesi (Lepidoptera) also attacks
cherimoya seed in Mexico (Nava-Díaz et al., 2000). All other cultural
practices for control of Cerconota anonella can be used for Bephratelloides
spp. and Talponia batesi, except for the use of black-light traps, which are
ineffective with these species. Chemical control with decamethrin 0.05%
every 15 days when the fruits are still small (Torres and Sánchez, 1992;
Junqueira et al., 1996) can reduce infestation.
Several genera of fruit fly, Anastrepha, Ceratitis and Bactrocera are
frequently mentioned (George et al., 1987; Peña and Bennet, 1995; Rebollar-
Alviter et al., 1997; Alvarez et al., 1999; Farré et al., 1999) as important
insect pests attacking annona fruits in many countries and regions (Table 10-
13), especially on cherimoya fruits. The infestation occurs with the
deposition of the eggs by the adult on the fruit skin or through the stem
cavity (George et al., 1987). By making galleries in the pulp, the larvae
completely destroy the fruit. The larva starts its pupation phase outside the
dropped fruit, underground (about 10 cm deep in the soil), from where the
adults emerge and start a new cycle. The cycle of the fruit fly from egg to
adult is completed in about 30 days (Nascimento et al., 2000).
According to Farré et al. (1999), an incidence of fruit fly attack is generally
due to favourable climatic conditions, high reproductive potential, alimentary
adaptability and in some circumstances absence of natural enemies, which
makes them a difficult pest to control. The size of the area under cultivation
and economic importance of the crop can also add to the impact of an attack
and the importance of the pest. In Spain, which is one of the most important
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