1963 Phytopathology: Relation of the iris borer to bacterial soft rot of iris
https://eurekamag.com/research/014/165/014165334.php
Howard, C.M.; Leach, J.G.
Phytopathology 53(10): 1190-1193
1963
The study confirms the popular belief that the iris borer (Macronoctua onusta Grote) and bacterial soft rot of iris [Erwinia carotovora (Jones) Holland] are consistently associated and that control of the disease will depend on more effective control of the insect. Since the larvae do not move extensively from plant to plant, they probably are of minor importance in secondary spread of the disease. There is no evidence that the bacteria are transmitted in or on the eggs of the borer. The principal role of the insect consists of making the wounds necessary for infection, of inoculating the bacteria from the soil into the wounds, and of preventing the formation of an effective wound-cork barrier by the iris plant. The discovery that the preferred site of oviposition is in the crevices of dried flower stalks may lead to better control of the insect and the associated soft rot.
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BobPries - 31 Dec 2018