The Past and Present of Pear Protection Against the Pear Psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L.

Abstract

The pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera Psyllidae), is known in Europe for its extended infestations which may cause heavy economical losses to most pear growing regions. Pear (Pyrus sp. L.) is the second most relevant fruit species of temperate regions: the first one is apple (Malus domestica L.) and the third one is peach (Prunus persica L.). The top three world regions for pear production are China, Europe and North America. Total European pear production is presently stable around 2.6 million tones, according to 2010 data from the Fruit and Vegetable Service Center (CSO, Ferrara, Italy). In Europe, Italy and Spain are the largest producers, respectively with 35% and 20% of the total production. Pear production in France is decreasing (8%), mainly as a result of fireblight on “Passe Crassane”, a highly susceptible variety. Until 2007, in the Netherlands and Belgium there was an increase in production with extensive planting of the “Conference” cultivar, but the first signs of saturation of the “Conference” market started to appear in 2007. The total pear production of the Netherlands and Belgium presently amounts to 9%. All commercial varieties in Europe belong to the species Pyrus communis L. and they are all susceptible to C. pyri. The susceptibility increases when orchard techniques are aimed to maximize fruit production, such as the high density of plants per hectare, the large use of fertilizers and the intense irrigation (Fig. 1).