Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) pests in the Mediterranean

Abstract

Artichoke is a perennial that thanks to its nutritional and health characteristic are becoming an incrisingliy widespread crop in coastal Croatia and the islands. During its development, the artichoke is susceptible to attack by numerous pests, among which several species of aphids and butterflies are economically important. As physiological pest aphids weaken the plant by sucking leaves and flowering buds. In addition, due to large amounts of honeydew, sooty mold makes the fruits unusable for the market. Butterflies damage flower heads and steems. The most important aphids are plum aphid (Brachycaudus cardui) and bean black aphid (Aphis fabae). Within the genus Lepidoptera, the following are economically important: artichoke moth (Depressaria erinaceella) and artichoke owl (Gortyna xanthenes).

Keywords

• pests
• mediterran
• aphids
• butterflies