LEAFFOOTED BUG (HEMIPTERA, COREIDAE) AND EPICARP LESION OF PISTACHIO FRUITS

A L. clypealis L. was capable of reproducing epicarp lesion symptoms on developing pistachio (P. vera L.) fruits. In all caged fruit clusters, the leaffooted bug feeding for 48 h produced typical symptoms of zonate, brown, necrotic lesions and subsequent premature dropping of fruits. The fruits exposed for feeding in June were more prone to expression of epicarp lesion symptoms that those exposed in July. L. clypealis was found in all of the major pistachio production areas in California [USA], at the time natural symptoms were observed in the field. Epicarp lesion was suspected as being the result of an enzyme(s) injected into the fruit during feeding, as typical symptoms of epicarp lesion were reproduced by applying commercial pectinase. Pectin-degrading enzymes, have not been extracted from L. clypealis at this time.