Postharvest disinfestation of arthropods from field‐grown Geraldton wax(Chamelaucium uncinatumSchauer)

Abstract

Abstract Before dipping started in field‐grown Geraldton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum Schauer) to remove arthropods, six orders of arthropods were found (Araneida, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, and Thysanoptera). Thrips (family— Thripidae and Aeolothripidae) were the most abundant arthropods present on the cultivars ‘Purple Pride’ and ‘Alba’ with the Scarab beetle (Phyllotocus ustulatus Blanch.) only present on ‘Alba’. Arthropod numbers increased during the flowering season reaching a maximum in October with nine times as many present on the later flowering ‘Alba’ compared with on the earlier flowering ‘Purple Pride’. At this time 10 out of 11 arthropods were thrips on ‘Purple Pride’ compared to 67 out of 99 for ‘Alba’. Postharvest dipping of Geraldton wax flowers in insecticide solution was found to be an effective method of arthropod disinfestation for flowers. Washing flowers for 1 min in water (with the addition of a non‐ionic surfactant or petroleum oil) and shaking excess dipping so...