Good Fruit Grower

March 15

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20 MARCH 15, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com S ix townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania, are under quarantine as state and federal government officials prepare to eliminate an invasive insect, the spotted lanternfly. Lycorma delicatula causes tree damage similar to that from borer insects. It apparently arrived in Pennsylvania from South Korea about two years ago on a shipment of landscaping stone and has been happily reproducing since then. The lanternfly quickly found its favor- ite food—another Asian native, Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven), the same one that brown marmorated stinkbug likes so much. Like the stinkbug, it feeds on any- thing with sweet sap or fruit but prefers to mate in its preferred host tree. There are a few orchards and vineyards in the quarantine area, and this insect could be yet another threat to fruit crops if it gets out of control. "This approximately one-inch-long insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts has the poten- tial to impact the green industry, grape growers, tree fruit growers, and the forest- and wood-products indus- tries in Pennsylvania as well as the United States," said Sven-Erik Spichiger, entomology program manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. What are the chances of eradication? "Best I've ever seen," Spichiger told fruit growers at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in January. Lanternfly targeted for eradication Introduces the NEW FRUIT HARVESTER LABOR SAVING Exceptional Gentle Handling Exceptional Gentle Handling Reduces Picking Time Reduces Picking Time Gentle Bin Delivery Gentle Bin Delivery Rotating Bin Filler Rotating Bin Filler Small, Compact, Stable And Quiet Small, Compact, Stable And Quiet This new REVO apple harvesting system ensures quality fruit all the way to the bin. The conveyor belts placed on the extremities of the harvester convey fruit to the main belt, then seamlessly conveys fruit to the bin with one single belt exchange. This self-propelled 4WD Fruit Harvester reduces picking time, labor costs and guarantees excellent results by moving fruit faster, more gently and more effi ciently. As the bin rotates the fruit is lowered gently into the bin as it fi lls. Picking Ease From Platform Or Ground Picking Ease From Platform Or Ground See Your Nearest Blueline Equipment Dealer Today. . . See Your Nearest Blueline Equipment Dealer Today. . . CALIFORNIA 509-840-1828 WALLA WALLA 509-525-4550 PASCO 509-544-6678 UNION GAP 509-248-8411 SUNNYSIDE 509-839-2066 GEORGE 509-785-2595 CLE ELUM 509-674-4544 MATTAWA 509-932-4001 Efforts to eliminate the invasive spotted lanternfly will begin this spring in Pennsylvania. by Richard Lehnert

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