The following insect pests bear special mention for early-season scouting in cranberry bogs:

Blackheaded fireworm – Blackheaded fireworm eggs overwinter on the bed and usually hatch by around mid-May (at this time of the year). It is important to catch the first generation, if possible, because the second generation occurs during bloom and is typically much more destructive. Blackheaded fireworm larvae can be detected by sweep net sampling and it is a good idea to look along the edges of beds where vines first begin to grow. Remember: blackheaded fireworm is much easier to control if detected during the early part of the season.

Spotted fireworm – overwinters as a 2nd instar larva. They complete two generations a year. Larvae feed between uprights they have webbed together. First-generation larvae injure the foliage causing it to turn brown as if burned. In New Jersey, first generation adult moths emerge the first week of June, followed by a second-generation of adult emergence in early August. Eggs are laid in masses on weedy hosts. Larvae from second-generation adults emerge in mid-August, and may feed on fruit. Populations of spotted fireworm are regulated by their natural enemies, in particular Trichogramma wasps that parasitize the eggs.

Sparganothis fruitworm – This insect is a serious pest in most cranberry-growing states. Sparganothis fruitworm completes two generations a year and overwinters as an early-instar larva. Larvae from the 1st generation feed on foliage. In New Jersey, first generation adult moths emerge from mid-June through the first weeks in July; pheromone traps are commonly used to monitor adult flight and population size. Second-generation eggs are laid on cranberry leaves, and larvae will feed on fruit.

Cranberry blossomworm – Adults lay their eggs in October in cranberry beds. The eggs overwinter and hatch over a period of several weeks. Early instars can be found during the first week of May. Larvae go through 6 instars to complete development. Because the first instars feed during the day (and also at night), scouting can be done during the daytime using sweep nets to estimate larval abundance. Larvae turn nocturnal during the later instars. At this time, night sweeping (9 pm – 1 am) is recommended for sampling. Larvae complete their development by June-July. Older instars are very voracious and capable of destroying 100 blossoms within a 3-week period. There is a pre-pupal that lasts until the end of August and a pupal stage that lasts until October. Adults emerge from end of August to end of October.

Lepidopteran Pests Monitoring and Control – Use sweep netting for monitoring early lepidopteran pests (pre-bloom). A sweep set consists of 25 sweeps and 1 sweep set is recommended per acre (this may vary depending the size of bogs). The action threshold for false armyworm, blossomworm, other cutworms, and gypsy moth (we use a combined threshold from adding all these caterpillars per sweep) is an average of 4.5 caterpillars in sets of 25 sweeps. For brown and green spanworms is an average of 18 per sweep set. The action threshold for blackheaded fireworm and Sparganothis fruitworm is an average of 1.5 per sweep set. We recommend the use of the reduced-risk materials Intrepid, Altacor, or Delegate if populations exceed action thresholds. These are reduced-risk, softer insecticides that are very effective against lepidopteran pests. More information on these (and other) lepidopteran pests will be provided as the season progresses.

Leafhoppers –There is concern among New Jersey cranberry growers of a potential increase in leafhopper populations because of recent changes in pest management strategies (e.g., adoption of new reduced-risk products and decreased applications of broad-spectrum insecticides). Blunt-nosed leafhopper is of particular concern because they can transmit cranberry false blossom disease. This leafhopper has one generation a year. Adults are found in highest numbers during July, although nymphs or adults may be found from the end of May until October. Eggs are laid in August-September. The eggs overwinter and hatch in May or June. The nymphs go through 5 instars to complete development. We are seeing 1st instars at this moment.

Leafhopper Monitoring and Control – Leafhopper nymphs can be sampled using sweep nets (as described above for lepidopteran pests). Nymphs before bloom are small; thus, you may need to freeze the samples (to kill them), and then count the number of nymphs under a microscope or using a magnifying lens. There is no threshold based on sweep net counts, so decisions should be made based by comparing current numbers with prior infestation history and/or incidence of false blossom disease on those beds.

In cases of high numbers of blunt-nosed leafhopper nymphs, we recommend application of a broad-spectrum insecticide, such as Diazinon (no aerial applications allowed), Sevin, or Lorsban (only pre-bloom applications allowed for Ocean Spray growers). Broad-spectrum insecticides will disrupt biological control particularly the natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of Sparganothis fruitworm, so their use should be restricted only to areas of high leafhopper populations.

Event – American Cranberry Growers Association (ACGA) Winter Meeting

Date – Thursday, January 18, 2018

Location– Rutgers EcoComplex, Bordentown NJ

(For more information, please contact Cesar Rodriguez-Saona at crodriguez@aesop.rutgers.edu)

Agenda

8:30-8:45 Welcoming Remarks– Shawn Cutts, President, ACGA
Treasurer’s Report – Shawn Cutts

8:45-9:00 Cranberry Statistics
Bruce Eklund, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Trenton, NJ

9:00-9:25 Cranberry Institute – An Update
John Wilson, Cranberry Institute, Carver, MA

9:25-9:50 Potential New Varieties with Enhanced Fruit Rot Resistance
Jennifer Johnson-Cicalese and Nicholi Vorsa, P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ

9:50-10:15 Understanding the Role of Flowers in Fungal Infections Leading to Cranberry Fruit Rot. William S. Haines Senior Research Endowment
Timothy Waller, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-10:55 Identifying and Implementing Methods for Improving Berry Quality Parameters
Peter Oudemans, Professor, P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ

10:55-11:20 Assessing Soil Health using Next-generation Sequencing Technology
James Polashock, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS; P.E. Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ

11:20–11:50 Bio-insecticides and Mating Disruption in Cranberries
Shawn Steffan, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS; University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-1:30 BOGS – a Tool for Record Keeping
Brian Wick, Executive Director, Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association

1:30–1:55 Carolina Redroot Control with Pre-emergence Herbicides and Effect on Fruit Yield and Quality
Thierry Besancon, ‎Weed Science Extension Specialist, Rutgers University, P.E. Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ

1:55-2:20 Management of Cranberry Insect Pests: Leafhoppers and Toadbugs
Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Professor, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Vera Kyryczenko-Roth, and Robert Holdcraft, P.E. Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ

2:20-2:50 Farm Safety with Pesticides
George Hamilton, Professor, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Patricia Hastings, Program Associate, Pest Management, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

2:50 Adjournment- ACGA Board of Directors Meeting

Event – American Cranberry Growers Association (ACGA) Summer Meeting

Date – August 17, 2017

Location– Rutgers P.E. Marucci Center, Chatsworth NJ

Agenda

CRANBERRY BOGS:

8:30–8:45 Opening Remarks
Shawn Cutts, President, American Cranberry Growers Association

8:45-9:05 Screening of POST Herbicides for Controlling Carolina Redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana) in New Jersey Cranberry Beds (Bog 6)
Thierry Besancon and Baylee L. Carr, P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ

9:05–9:25 Breeding for Fruit Rot Resistance: Evaluation of the Next Cycle of Crosses (Bog 8)
Nicholi Vorsa, P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ

9:25–9:45 Performance of Welker and Haines and other Advanced Selections (Bog 10)
Jennifer Johnson-Cicalese and Nicholi Vorsa, P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research & Extension, Rutgers University, Chatsworth, NJ

9:45-10:10 Research on Diseases of Cranberries (Bog 15)
Peter Oudemans, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University

10:10-10:30 Is Mycorrhizal Inoculation Efficacious? (Bog 18)
James Polashock, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS

10:30–10:50 On-going Research on Sucking Insect Pests (Bog 19)
Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University; Vera Kyryczenko-Roth, P.E. Marucci Center; and Robert Holdcraft, P.E. Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ

10:50–11:10 Show and Tell
Cranberry growers

CONFERENCE ROOM:

11:20–11:30 Cranberry Statistics
Bruce A Eklund, State Statistician, U.S. Department of Agriculture | National Agricultural Statistics Service

11:30–12:00 Root Growth in Cranberries
Amaya Atucha, Assistant Professor, and Beth Workmaster, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

12:00–1:00 LUNCH (Pole Barn)

1:00–1:30 Farm Safety
Ray Samulis, Cooperative Extension Agent, Burlington County Extension, Rutgers University

We are seeing an increase in the number of nymphs of toad bugs in cranberry beds. Growers need to be aware of this insect and treat if numbers reach high levels (there is no current threshold). We are currently conducting studies to estimate the density of toad bugs that can cause economic injury to cranberries.

Life cycle. Toad bugs, Phylloscelis atra, feed only on cranberries. This insect has a single generation per year. It overwinters as eggs. The nymphs appear by the end of June through early September, and the adults from end of July through October (harvest). Eggs are laid from end of August through October.

Damage. Feeding damage can be noticed in two stages. First stage feeding damage on vines causes closing in (towards the branch) of the leaves on the new growth. Second stage feeding causes changed in color (reddish to brown) of new growth. The damage can be seen from July until harvest. This damage will cause dying of the branch and the berries to shrivel up. Heavy infestation will result in dwarfed berries.

Management. To determine infestation, lightly sweep problematic beds (bugs should be easy to catch in sweep nets as they are very active). Because this is a new pest there is no threshold established yet. Thus, insecticide applications should be based on the relative number of bugs per sweep compared with other sites and previous history of infestation. Currently, growers can use the following control options: Sevin 4F (broad-spectrum carbamate), Diazinon, Imidan 70W (broad-spectrum organophosphates), Actara or Assail 30SG (neonicotinoid insecticides, effective against piercing-sucking insects). If infestation is high, treatments should be applied at this time of the year.

For more information, please see “The Cranberry Toad-Bug” by F.A. Sirrine and B.B. Fulton. 1914. New York Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. 377. Department of Agriculture, Geneva, NY.

Based on our degree-day (DD) model for Sparganothis fruitworm, first eggs hatched at about 900 DD (see chart). As of July 05, Sparganothis has accumulated 1,358 DD (using March 1 as biofix) or 1,318 DD (using April 1 as biofix). This indicates that most eggs should have hatched by now and fruit is susceptible to infestation. Most beds are out of bloom (early varieties) or should be coming out of bloom. Thus, if trap counts have been high, then a post-bloom application might be necessary. Growers should consider treatment in the next few days (as soon as bees are removed) to prevent damage to berries. Your best post-bloom options are Diazinon, Altacor, or Delegate.