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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #134993
Title: PACKING HOUSE SURVEY OF WASHINGTON CHERRIES FOR SURFACE ARTHROPODS

Author
item Hansen, James D
item REHMKE, LAURA - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
item SIMMONS, GILBERT - CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA

Submitted to: Journal of Kansas Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2002
Publication Date: 1/31/2003
Citation: Hansen, J.D., Rehmke, L.J., Simmons, G.F. 2003. Packing house survey of Washington cherries for surface arthropods. Journal of Kansas Entomological Society. 76:76-78.

Interpretive Summary: Sweet cherries exported from the Pacific Northwest must be examined for arthropod pests by regulatory officials of the importing country as a condition of entry. The capability of pest detection has increased with improved technologies, which could interfere with international commerce. Although cherries are cleaned during the packing process, it is important to know what types of arthropods, particularly live pests, are conveyed by packed fruits. Here, we conducted a survey at two packing houses where cherries were examined under a microscope at the receiving dock and in the final pack. Very few contaminated cherries (less than 0.3%) entered the packing house. Among 1,750 packed fruits, the only live arthropod was an aphid. If typical, this information indicates a high level of phytosanitation for exported cherries.

Technical Abstract: International markets are concerned about possible quarantine pests in sweet cherries exported from the Pacific Northwest. To determine the incidence of surface arthropods on cherry fruits, fruit samples entering (prepack) and leaving (packed) two packing houses in Washington state were collected weekly. Fruits were sampled from 63 grower lots and included `Bing,¿ ¿Lapin,¿ ¿Lambert¿ and ¿Rainier¿ cultivars. In each of the 128 samples, 50 cherries were examined, along with leaves (if present), and the bag containing the cherries. Samples were inspected under a microscope at 25x, and all live and dead arthropods were recorded. Among 3,600 presorted fruits inspected, the only live arthropods found were two predacious mites and six thrips. No codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), or cherry fruit fly, Ragoletis indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), larvae were observed. Among 1,750 packed fruits, the only live arthropod was an aphid. The survey demonstrated that few live arthropods enter the packing house and that the remaining are eliminated by typical packing house operations. If typical, this information can be used to develop a comprehensive program for quarantine security.