Wakgari, W.M., & Giliomee, J.H. 2004a Insect pests of astringent persimmon in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.. African Plant Protection 10(1): 1-5

Notes: An extensive survey of insect pests of the astringent persimmon, Diospyros kaki L. (variety Triumph), was conducted in April and May 2003 in all persimmon-production areas of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa. Seventeen insect pest species belonging to 11 families, one predatory coccinellid beetle and one snail species were identified. The greatest diversity of pest species was recorded at Jagersbos (8), Kleinplasie (8) and Leeuwenhoek (8), followed by Swellensharon (6) and Merwespont (5), and the lowest at Chiltern (2), Rushmere (2) and Klein Kanaan (2). The false codling moth (Cryptophlebia leucotreta) and the long-tailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) were the most widely distributed species, recorded from nine of the 15 orchards surveyed. Percentage fruit damage by C. leucotreta (range 0.2-7.4) was the highest, followed by P. longispinus (range 1.7-7.1). The distribution pattern of the different insect pests across orchards and the level of fruit damage caused by each species are described.