How to control aphids on goji berry? Master the outbreak pattern and solve the pest problem in three steps
Aphids are pests found specifically in goji berry growing areas. They gather in large numbers on the backs of tender goji leaves and at the base of the leaves to suck sap, thereby destroying the nutritional content of the goji berry and affecting its flowering, fruiting and fruit-setting rate. Moreover, aphids have a very strong reproductive capacity. If nothing is done about them, they will seriously affect the economic benefits of goji berry growers. Next, I will introduce the aphid outbreak pattern on goji berry and the control methods.
Outbreak Pattern
The aphid outbreak period is generally in April, when the goji berry sprouts. They gather in swarms on the backs of the leaves and at the base of the leaves, causing damage continuously until summer, when their numbers decline somewhat. Under the influence of high summer temperatures, the population density of aphids decreases considerably, but a small number of stubborn individuals still remain on the backs of the branches and leaves. Then in autumn, the aphid numbers rise again, producing a second peak, and they continue to damage the growth of the goji berry tree. In winter, when the aphids have no food, male and female aphids mate and lay eggs, depositing the eggs in the crevices at the base of the branches. After enduring the winter, the eggs hatch in spring and the aphids come back to continue their damage. This is the annual outbreak pattern of aphids.
Symptoms
Aphids have a very strong reproductive capacity. They break out every April, with larvae and adults densely gathered on the leaves and stems, continuously sucking the sap from the leaves. This affects the goji berry tree's absorption of nutrients, causing the leaves to become nutrient-deficient, shriveled and deformed. In addition, the dense gathering of aphids in the leaves also affects photosynthesis. The branches of the goji berry tree are inherently thin and weak, and the lack of nutrients means the flowers and fruits do not absorb sufficient nutrients, which reduces the fruit-setting rate of the goji berry. Also, because the nutrients in the branches and buds are insufficient, the quantity and quality of the second fruiting are reduced, seriously harming economic benefits. These are the effects and symptoms the goji berry tree suffers when aphids break out.
Control Methods
Aphids have far too great an impact on goji berry trees, so for the sake of the yield and quality of the goji berry, control measures must be taken against this pest. The control measures mainly consist of the following three points.
1. The places where goji berry is grown actually have many natural enemies of aphids, such as Aphidiinae wasps, green lacewings, ladybugs and minute flower bugs, all of which are natural enemies of aphids. So we can protect the natural enemies of aphids and use them to control aphid numbers.
2. The diseased and pest-infested branches and fallen leaves pruned in spring and autumn can be taken out of the orchard and destroyed, and then before spring arrives the following year, the orchard can be cleaned once more, which can greatly reduce the number of aphid eggs.
3. During the aphid outbreak period, carry out manual pesticide spraying to kill them, or manually prune the goji berry branches where large numbers of aphids gather.