A Report on Insect Infestation and Diseases on Blueberry Bushes in Fujian

  Objective  Insect infestation and diseases on the cultivated blueberry bushes in Fujian were investigated.

  Method  A systematic survey and continued observation at 4 blueberry orchards in the province was conducted in 2016-2018 for the analysis.

  Result  Two physiological and 5 infectious distinctive diseases and 16 pest insects were identified. The physiological diseases included the red leaf and chlorosis; and, the infectious ones, the mummy berry, stem blight, anthracnose, gray mould and shock virus disease. The shock virus disease was newly found in China. The 16 pest insects identified were Acronycta rumicis, Anomala corpulenta, Buzura thibetaria, Ceroplastes japonicus, Cnidocampa flavescens, Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila suzukii, Holotrichia parallela, Lymantria diaper, Myzus persicae, Porthesia similis, Spodoptera litura, Thosea sinensis, Anoplophora chinensis, Aromia bungii and Sardoscelis sphenias. They belonged to 11 families in 4 orders. The stem blight and Drosophila sp. induced a moderate damage to the blueberry bushes, while the remainders a mild harm.

  Conclusion  Overall, the insect infestation and diseases had been relatively mild without serious concerns for the orchards in Fujian. At present, only the stem blight disease and Drosophila sp. required special attention and warranted appropriate measures for prevention and control of a possible widespread epidemic.