This month KVH followed up an interesting find by an observant orchard worker completing vine training in a developing Red19 block.

They had previously noticed unusual breakages where canes appeared to have been cut or snapped. On closer inspection they found an insect larva had taken up residence in at least one of the canes.

Images shared with Plant & Food Research Te Puke entomologists suggested the larva was likely that of a longhorn beetle, a potential visitor from surrounding bushland. Forwarded samples showed the larva had classical features of longhorn beetles with a pale body, fatter head, small mandibles, and legs also present though not obvious.

It was unknown whether longhorn beetles had previously been associated with kiwifruit, and as the larva was unlikely to be successfully reared to adulthood the sample was forwarded to the Plant Health and Environmental Laboratory (PHEL) for identification.

The specimen was confirmed as Oemona Hirta, a native longhorn beetle known as “lemon tree borer”. Actinidia chinensis was recorded as a known host for this pest, which tunnels into live wood and has a broad range of hosts including native and fruit trees.

Protection of fresh pruning wounds with a sealant to close off the wound and form a physical barrier against the larva boring into the plant was suggested, with removal of pruning off-cuts also recommended to avoid infestations.

Follow-up of these finds are interesting and potentially important as some species of longhorn beetles are on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) list of most unwanted as they could cause serious damage for the forestry industry and these investigations have the potential to support surveillance.