Brown rot has been observed in ripening fruit. Maintain coverage through harvest with highly effective rot materials: Indar, Cevya, Orius, Quash, and Tilt (FRAC group 3); and Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, and Quadris Top (FRAC group 11). 

Figure 3. Rhizopus rot on maturing peach fruit. Photo by Amy Andreacchio.

Rhizopus rot has begun appearing in the field in South Jersey as fruit reaches maturity (Figure 3). Rotted peaches look similar to brown rot but are slightly darker, leaky, and the skin slips easily from the decaying flesh underneath. Look for white, fluffy fungal growth (“whiskers”) that turns gray-to-black as fruiting bodies develop. Infection typically occurs through wounds, so minimizing insect feeding, physical injury, and other diseases before harvest is key. Pre- and postharvest treatments, along with rapid cooling after harvest, will help reduce disease incidence. Merivon and Quadris Top 2.72SC are effective materials.  

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM) trap captures have decreased compared with previous weeks and are below the threshold at most sites. Consider treatment if trap captures are above threshold (>8 moths per trap). A few options for late in the season with low PHIs would include Assail (7-day), Baythroid XL (7-day), Danitol (3-day), Delegate (1-day), and Sevin (3-day). 

Japanese beetles are present in orchards and have been persistent this season, feeding in the tree canopy and on fruit. To prevent losses, include neonicotinoid materials such as Assail (7-day PHI), pyrethroids such as Baythroid (7-day), or premix products such as Leverage 360 (7-day). Verdepryn (IRAC 28, 7-day PHI) is also effective. 

Scale crawlers are active in orchards. See recommendations above for management options. 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and other catfacing insects like tarnished plant bug are active in orchards, but injury remains low.  

Lesser and greater peachtree borer trap captures have increased from previous weeks. Where high trap captures have been recorded, growers should begin preparing for post-harvest trunk applications of pyrethroids (Asana or Pounce) or chlorpyrifos, with mid-August through early September generally providing the best timing to target young larvae before they enter the tree. Apply the insecticide thoroughly to the lower trunk, root flare, scaffold crotches, and any canker areas, following label directions. 

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) trap captures have increased (Table 1), but as harvest activities wrap up, management will shift away from controlling SWD in the field. Sanitation by removing unharvested, culled, or overripe fruit from the field will help to significantly reduce SWD pressure. 

We are keeping a close eye on sharp-nosed leafhopper (SNLH) and scale traps, since this will be your next insecticide spray.  Activity for both has increased (Tables 2 and 3), but not sufficiently to warrant treatment.   

Table 1. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot traps 

Table 2. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle traps 

Table 3. Scale Traps 

Monitoring for black shadow (Figure 4) in blueberry fields showed that in fields where black shadow was observed, the average incidence was approximately 25%, with one field reaching 100%.

Figure 4. Black shadow on blueberry canes. Credit: Peter Oudemans, Rutgers University.

For recommendations for black shadow management, refer to the 2026 Rutgers Commercial Blueberry Guide. 

Grape berry moth (GBM) trap captures have declined in vineyards. Continue to monitor for damage to bunches and consider treatment when more than 10-15% of the bunches show berry webbing and GBM larval feeding injury. Be mindful of the pre-harvest interval as we approach harvest. See the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for management options. 

Figure 5. Spotted-wing drosophila male adult on ripening grape.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) adults are present in vineyards. As we approach September, adult migration into vineyards will increase, at which point we consider applying materials with long residual efficacy. See this previous Plant & Pest Advisory post on Management of Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey Vineyards.  

Spotted-Wing Drosophila male adult flies are being trapped in vineyards in southern counties (Figure 5). Monitoring efforts have shifted to grapes as veraison progresses and ripe fruit becomes vulnerable to infestation.

Disease management continues to focus mainly on downy mildew, powdery mildew, bunch rot, and black rot. Outbreaks of anthracnose fruit rot have also been observed (Figure 6). Refer to the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on disease management options.

Figure 6. Anthracnose fruit rot on grapes.