Studies on Potential Pests of Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach) in Latvia

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study potential pests of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) plantations in Latvia. Studies were carried out in eight plantations during 2017–2019. Major pests that would regularly cause significant yield losses for this plant were not observed. Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi) was considered a local pest, mass outbreaks of which can occur in individual plantations and cause significant losses of plant foliage. Four species were considered minor pests: garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola), yellow-banded weevil (Chlorophanus viridis), silver-green weevil (Phyllobius argentatus) and copse snail (Arianta arbustorum); they are also pests of plant foliage. The European red spider mite (Panonychus ulmi) was not considered as a pest of Japanese quince. A small population was observed in summers only in one plantation, which was located next to a heavily infested orchard. Overwintering eggs were not found on the plants in any year, and we concluded that the species was an accidental immigrant in this plantation. No aphid (Aphididae) colonies were observed on the quince plants. Monitoring and evaluation of potential harmfulness of four tortrix moths – large fruit-tree tortrix (Archips podana), rose tortrix (Archips rosana), codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and holly tortrix (Rhopobota naevana) – was done. It was concluded that rose tortrix is a minor fruit pest, but the other three species were not yet considered pests of Japanese quince. Significant pests of quince flowers and fruits were not detected in our study.