В Северной Каролине обнаружены вредители голубики, вызывающие тревогу у фермеров

Bearberry Whiteflies Found in N.C. Blueberries, Prompting Grower Monitoring The N.C. State Extension reported on Sunday, Aug. 27 that bearberry whiteflies have shown up in North Carolina blueberry fields. The insect has caused serious infestations in Georgia in recent… The N.C. State Extension reported on Sunday, Aug. 27 that bearberry whiteflies have shown up in North Carolina blueberry fields. The insect has caused serious infestations in Georgia in recent years, and researchers are now encouraging growers to watch for signs of growing populations. This matters for Bladen County. According to the Bladen Journal, it's the state's top blueberry-producing county with about 5,736 acres devoted to the crop. North Carolina produced blueberries valued at more than $104 million in 2023, with 54 million pounds harvested from roughly 9,300 acres statewide, according to USDA figures compiled by the extension service. Bearberry whiteflies, known scientifically as Tetraleurodes ursorum, are small insects that feed on blueberry plants using needle-like mouthparts. They're found on the undersides of leaves. As they feed, the insects produce a sugary substance known as honeydew. Heavy accumulations can encourage the growth of sooty mold on leaves, which can interfere with a plant's ability to photosynthesize when conditions become severe enough. Researchers say the impact of bearberry whiteflies on the state's blueberry production remains uncertain, according to the Bladen Journal. There's no evidence that the insect is causing significant economic damage to crops. Researchers haven't established an economic threshold that tells growers when treatment becomes necessary. Georgia growers have reported severe and widespread infestations, sometimes resorting to chemical applications to control the pest. North Carolina has experienced occasional years when large numbers of bearberry whiteflies covered the undersides of blueberry leaves and contributed to sooty mold on foliage, although N.C. State describes those conditions as uncommon. The insects feed on blueberries after harvest. Extension specialists say growers should scout their plants, paying attention to the undersides of leaves where immature whiteflies congregate. The timing matters for Bladen County because the commercial blueberry harvest has wrapped up, but growers still must protect the health of plants that will produce future crops. About 80% of the state's blueberries are sold for the fresh wholesale market, per the Bladen Journal. The remainder goes into frozen and processed products. Commercial blueberry production in the state is concentrated in Bladen, Pender, Sampson, and surrounding counties because of soils suited for the crop. A farm in the region participated in N.C. State's 2025 Prionus monitoring program, part of an effort to understand emerging insect pressures on one of southeastern North Carolina's most valuable specialty crops.