Christopher M. Ranger, ranger@aesop.rutgers.edu, Jennifer Cicalese-Johnson, and Nicholi Vorsa. Philip E. Marucci Center for Bluberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Chatsworth, NJ
Blueberry scorch virus (BISV) is an emerging problem in cultivated blueberries and the blueberry aphid, Illinoia pepperi (McGillivary), is one of the vectors of this RNA virus. Wild blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) were evaluated for sources of resistance against I. pepperi, with selections including V. tenellum, V. myrtilloides, V. elliottii, V. boreale, V. darrowii, V. hirsutum, V. myrsinites, and V. ashei. Host-acceptance behavior of I. pepperi was categorized and measured immediately following contact with the plant, and longer-term settling behaviors were examined over several days. Performance parameters were also measured on each of the selections, including survivorship, developmental rates, fecundity, nymphipositional period, and adult lifespan. Free-choice tests were also conducted using promising Vaccinium spp. The potential for incorporating aphid resistance into blueberry cultivars will be discussed, as will the possibilty of decreasing BISV transmission.
Species 1: Hemiptera Aphididae
Illinoia pepperi (blueberry aphid)
Keywords: blueberry, aphid
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