IMPACT OF FEEDING BY LEPIDOPTERA LARVAE ON THE PRODUCTION OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY IN THE LOWER FRASER VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Lepidoptera larvae on highbush blueberry fed more frequently in flower and fruit clusters than in leafrolls during April, May, and early June. Their feeding reduced the harvest from individual clusters to about half of that of undamaged clusters. Larval feeding caused losses of production in blueberry fields of from 2.5 to 7% depending on leafroller densities. Insecticide treatments in experimental plots decreased leafroller populations and increased cluster yields.