Integrated pest management of citrus gall wasp and Fuller’s rose weevil (CT19009)

What was it all about?

This project delivered new, practical tools to help citrus growers better manage two major pests: citrus gall wasp (CGW) and Fuller’s rose weevil (FRW). The findings improved how these pests are monitored, identified promising new control options, and strengthened understanding of pest biology to support more effective integrated pest management.

CGW reduces yield and fruit size, while FRW threatens market access due to egg contamination of fruit. Existing control options can be costly, hard to apply, or disruptive to beneficial insects, limiting adoption by growers.

Key outputs included a simple CGW infestation rating guide, a reliable trap-based monitoring method for FRW (see Appendix 1 in the Final Report), and an updated online CGW timing tool (available here) to support spray and pruning decisions.

The project tested and compared monitoring methods, field‑validated chemical and biological options, and assessed emerging technologies. It showed that Tedders traps provide more consistent FRW monitoring than branch shaking. For CGW, researchers developed an easy‑to‑use gall size rating method and expanded the online emergence timing tool to new regions, which can help inform CGW management prediction and decision. The project also evaluated machine‑vision technology for automated pest detection, identified promising short‑withholding chemical options for CGW, and shared findings through fact sheets, videos, articles, and field events.

These insights will support more targeted, cost‑effective pest management and improved market confidence. With further development and registration, the tools and knowledge generated are expected to help growers reduce pest pressure, protect beneficial insects, and maintain access to key export markets.