Insect pests of passionfruit here are less devastating than the diseases, their main effect being on fruit quality.

PASSIONVINE HOPPER

The passionvine hopper (Scolypopa australis) is a native of Australia, but is widespread in most areas of New Zealand where passionfruit can be grown. It is a sapsucking insect that secretes copious quantities of honeydew which can encourage the growth of sooty mould, Capnodium salicinum.

This pest over-winters in the egg stage in bracken fern or other suitable hosts. In late spring and early summer it emerges as a tufty tailed nymph which migrates to other suitable hosts where it sucks the sap. The nymph later changes into the adult hopper, which also sucks sap and excretes honeydew. At the end of summer it lays eggs and dies.

Under favourable conditions large numbers can quickly build up, causing reduced crop yield.

Passionvine hopper nymph

Control:
As a precaution, check areas around the orchard in early summer for signs of a build up. If necessary, spray to control it before it spreads on to the crop.

Passionvine hopper adults

MEALYBUG

Mealybug (Pseudococcus species) is more commonly a pest of citrus and other crops, but if it becomes established in a passionfruit orchard it can cause considerable fouling of the fruit.

Control:
Where mealybug has been a problem, a thorough application of a suitable insecticide immediately after pruning should clean up the vines before the new canopy grows and offers protection to the pest.

GREEN VEGETABLE BUG

The green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula) is a spasmodic pest of passionfruit, and on occasion causes fruit marking where the insect pierces the skin. A careful watch should be kept for it, and an appropriate insecticide applied if necessary.

LEAFROLLER

Leafrollers may feed on passionfruit crops and have been known to be a minor quarantine problem on export crops.

Control:
A careful watch should be kept for leafrollers, especially close to harvest, and, where necessary, an appropriate insecticide applied.

APHIDS

Aphids are only a minor problem on passionfruit crops, but as they may be vectors of woodiness virus and other viruses their numbers should not be allowed to build up.

Control:
Where necessary spray with an appropriate insecticide.

EXPORT SPRAY PROGRAMME

Each year the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries produces a spray programme for export passionfruit.

Growers intending to grow for export should obtain a copy of the up-to-date programme each spring.