Life History and Control of Atractotomus mali, a New Pest of Apple in Nova Scotia (Miridae: Hemiptera)1

Abstract

The mirid Atractotomus mali (Meyer) is both predacious and phytophagous. The only report of its occurrence in North America is from Nova Scotia, where it has become a pest on apple. The insect has one generation a year and overwinters as an egg which hatches during the bloom period. It passes through 5 nymphal intars, becoming an adult 4–5 weeks after hatching. The eggs are laid 1–2 weeks later in spur-type wood, often behind leaf stems and rarely on terminal growth. The feeding punctures of nymphs cause the injury to young fruit. Delicious apples are highly susceptible, while McIntosh are seldom injured. Adults are not phytophagous. Effective control is attained with most insecticides. In Nova Scotia a low dosage of malathion is recommended. This is selective in that A. mali is controlled and insufficient residue remains to be toxic to predators that have not emerged.