Cultivar preference of Oberea myops in rabbiteye blueberries, Vaccinium ashei

Although Oberea myops Haldeman has been reported as damaging blueberry plants since the 1920s, no studies have reported on oviposition preference for commonly planted cultivars. The number of O. myops oviposition stem-girdlings in seven rabbiteye blueberry, Vaccinium ashei Reade, cultivars was recorded in two pick-your-own blueberry orchards. The total number of potential oviposition sites for each cultivar in each orchard was estimated (TPOS). A strong positive correlation was found between the number of oviposition girdles (OG) per cultivar and the TPOS per cultivar at both study sites. Data from an intensively managed orchard (1992) indicated that 'Climax' had significantly fewer OG than expected (high TPOS: high OG), while 'Centurion' had significantly more OG than expected (low TPOS; high OG). These data suggest that of the seven cultivars examined, O. myops exhibited a degree of non-preference for oviposition in 'Climax' and a preference for oviposition in 'Centurion'. 'Centurion' was the only cultivar examined that does not have 'Ethel' in its lineage. Data gathered from a less intensively managed orchard (1993) did not indicate a non-preference for oviposition girdling by O. myops in 'Climax'. Data on TPOS from both orchards suggest that the number of POS within a given cultivar will be greater if intensive management practices are followed. This increased number of POS influences the number of OG that occur.