POSTHARVEST DISINFESTATION OF ARTHROPODS FROM FIELD-GROWN GERALDTON WAX (CHAMELAUCIUM-UNCINATUM SCHAUER)

Before dipping started in field-grown Geraldton wax (Chamelaucium unci natum Schauer) to remove arthropods, six orders of arthropods were fou nd (Araneida, Coleoptera, Hemiptera. Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, and Thys anoptera). Thrips (family-Thripidae and Aeolothripidae) were the most abundant arthropods present on the cultivars 'Purple Pride' and 'Alba' with the Scarab beetle (Phyllotocus ustulatus Blanch.) only present o n 'Alba'. Arthropod numbers increased during the flowering season reac hing a maximum in October with nine times as many present on the later flowering 'Alba' compared with on the earlier flowering 'Purple Pride '. At this time 10 out of 11 arthropods were thrips on 'Purple Pride' compared to 67 out of 99 for 'Alba'. Postharvest dipping of Geraldton wax flowers in insecticide solution was found to be an effective metho d of arthropod disinfestation for flowers. Washing flowers for 1 min i n water (with the addition of a non-ionic surfactant or petroleum oil) and shaking excess dipping solution from flowers reduced arthropod nu mber by 69 to 74%. Addition of deltamethrin gave between 97 and 100% c ontrol depending on the cultivar used whereas other insecticides fluva linate or bifenthrin gave between 97 and 99% control for 'Alba'.