CCQC Advisory: Fuller Rose Beetle Korea Protocol

Earlier this week, the California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) contacted the industry to provide information about complying with the Fuller rose beetle (FRB) protocol for exports to Korea.

Growers can choose one option from three possible pesticide options for FRB control:

1. Make one ground application with bifenthrin between June 1 and July 15 in combination with the sampling protocol; or
2. Make one foliar application in combination with the sampling protocol by October 31; or
3. Make two foliar applications, first by September 7 and second by October 31.

Skirt pruning and herbicide treatments are required for each of the above options. 

Sampling Protocol:

1. Growers should conduct adult FRB sampling from Aug. 7 to Aug. 31, the peak period for adult beetle emergence.
2. Conduct a random sample in each citrus block.  Divide the block into four quadrants and sample 18 trees that are spread throughout the quadrant. The total number of trees sampled is 72.
3. Growers or Pest Control Advisors (PCA) should:
   1. Check suckers inside the tree for signs of FRB leaf chewing and spend a few minutes searching for adult beetles. If beetles are detected, the tree is considered infested.
   2. If no beetles are found in the interior, shake two large outside branches over a light cloth and inspect for FRB adults. If beetles are found, the tree is considered infested.
4. If no more than two infested trees are found out of 72 trees sampled, growers may eliminate the first FRB pesticide application and make one foliar application before October 31.  If three or more infested trees are found out of 72 trees sampled, growers must make a pesticide application in August or no later than September 7 and a second foliar application before October 31.
5. If growers have applied a ground treatment,no additional pesticide applications are required as long as no more than two infested trees are found out of 72 trees sampled. If a ground treatment has been made and three or more infested trees are found during the sampling protocol, a foliar pesticide application should be made no later than October 31.
6. Growers must keep records of the sampling results, including block identification, inspection date, name of inspector, and number of trees infested with beetles out of 72 trees inspected.

 Complete Korea FRB Protocol:

1. Trees must be skirt pruned to minimize branches touching the ground.
2. Herbicide treatments should be made to eliminate weeds that could be a pathway into the tree.
3. One of three pesticide application options: (a) One ground application of bifenthrin between June 1 to July 15 in combination with the sampling protocol. (b) Sampling protocol in combination with one foliar pesticide application. (c) Two pesticide applications to control FRB.

Note: If FRB adults are detected during the survey and exceed thresholds, i.e., three or more trees are infested with adult FRB, follow option (c). All pesticides used to control FRB must be listed as FRB alternatives on the University of California Citrus IPM website https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/citrus/fuller-rose-beetle/

 

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