Stone Fruits

Carpophilus beetle (CB) also commonly referred to as dried fruit beetles or sap beetles, are a major pest to fruit trees worldwide. Hosts include stone fruit, almonds, persimmons, and fallen fruit from citrus, apples and figs trees. In addition to damage from feeding, they are also vector for the fungal disease brown rot (Monilinia spp.). There are at least 12 species found in Australia with one species C. davidsoni being particularly destructive. Two species C. davidsoni and C. hemipterus have caused yield losses of up to 30 per cent in stone fruit.

Fuller’s rose weevil (FRW) is a major quarantine pest affecting Australian citrus fruits and is found across all citrus, pome and stone fruit growing regions in Australia. Fuller’s rose weevil has the potential to hinder citrus exports into the lucrative Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean markets if eggs are found present on fruit. Adult weevils chew leaves, buds and young shoots.

Blossom blight is a rot disease of stone fruit and hosts include apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and almonds. Blossom blight is also a symptom of brown rot, which causes the death of flowers, fruit and occasionally shoots Blossom blight can result in significant losses as it can reduce fruit set and potential yield. Apples and pears can also be affected by blossom blight, although economic damage is rarely seen. 

Brown rot is caused by several fungi, the most common being M. fructicola. Brown rot can cause crop losses in stone fruit (cherry, apricot, peach, nectarine, plum) pre-harvest and is also a major cause of fruit spoilage in transit or at market. Symptoms are similar to other rot fungi caused by M. Laxa (causing blossom blight) and wet conditions experienced during flowering or immediately before harvest can produce serious losses. 

Shot hole is a disease of stone fruit in Australia that can decrease tree productivity by affecting the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves, twigs, buds and fruit. In severe infections it can cause premature leaf fall and is favoured by wet conditions during winter and spring. Hosts include; apricot, nectarine, almond, peach, cherry and plum trees.