May 19, 2015

Fruit IPM Report 5-19-2015

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Peach

Green Peach Aphid:

Do Not use Actara, Assail, Belay or Admire, any generics or any combination containing them, if you have flowering weeds in your orchard. The presence of flowering weeds means that you will also have foraging bees present, and applying neonicotinoids when foraging bees are present is against the label.

Some individual farms have populations above treatment thresholds. Any registered neonicotinoid insecticide (Actara, Assail, Belay, Admire Pro (IRAC 4A), or premixes – Leverage, Voliam-Flexi) will control these populations. Admire Pro will control aphids only. Closer (IRAC 4C) acts like a neonicotinoid, so it is very effective against aphids, but is bee safe. Beleaf (IRAC 9C) will also target aphids and control tarnished plant bug. Movento (IRAC 23) will control aphids and scale insects.

Plum Curculio (PC): We are the peak of PC activity in all areas of the state. Moderate levels of injury were seen in both stone and pome fruit over the past week, even where effective insecticides were applied. If significant rains follow insecticide applications, then re-apply with effective materials after an inch or more of precipitation.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): All 1st generation eggs have been laid in southern counties, and the second application is due in northern counties. If your trap counts exceed 6-8 males per trap 7 to 10 days after the second spray, then additional controls may be required.
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Filed Under: Blueberry, Fruit, Tree Fruit
May 13, 2015

Fruit IPM Report 5-13-2015

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Peach

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): The flight captures really jumped this past week, especially in northern counties where some farms are seeing over 100 moths per trap. This is a reference point for 2 factors: First, OFM treatments should be ongoing during this time – see table below; and the first generation flight is usually the highest, and the most important to control. For those growers using the diamide insecticides (Altacor, Belt, Voliam mixes, and Tourismo), the timing for the second application in southern counties is now. Insecticides are required according to the degree day timings in the table below. These timings should be used for most farms. If you have high insect pressure, then additional sprays may be needed. If your trap counts exceed 6-8 males per trap 7 to 10 days after the second spray, then additional controls may be required.
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Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit
May 7, 2015

Fruit IPM Report 5-7-2015

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Peach

Thrips including western flower thrips: Thrips are being found in southern peach and nectarine blocks. This is common in years when we have warm dry weather during and shortly after bloom. Delegate is the best material to use, followed by Lannate. Entrust can also be used but will be more expensive. Both Delegate and Lannate will control OFM, but neither does a good job on PC. Closer is labeled for thrips suppression, but it’s use is discouraged if high thrips populations are present.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): As of 5/7 we have accumulated 229 DD in southern counties. In northern counties the biofix was set for 4/28. We have had 140 DD accumulate since then.  The first of two applications for OFM should be going on now in southern counties, and about 5/10-12 in northern counties (using Snyder Farm as our degree day point).
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Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit
April 28, 2015

Fruit IPM Report 4-28-2015

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Peach

Petal Fall Insect Complex: An OFM biofix was set for April 20 in southern counties. Treatments for the first flight will be due at 170-200 degree days after the first trap captures or “biofix.” According to the NEWA weather station in Upper Deerfield, we have had 49 degree days accumulate since 4/20. This timing usually coincides with late petal fall to shuck split, however we are a little late this year, since we have about 120 degree days to go until the first OFM treatment.

Since we are still waiting for the OFM timing, the initial petal fall spray will primarily target plum curculio, tarnished plant bug and other catfacing insects. Plum curculio is active, and will feed on blossoms and freshly set fruit. See last week’s newsletter and the Tree Fruit Production Guide for insecticide options. Given the current insect targets, Avaunt is one of the better materials for plum curculio (PC) at this time, and also covers Oriental fruit moth and tarnished plant bug. We are not concerned with BMSB at this time, so many of the other materials which are effective for BMSB can be saved for later in the season.
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Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit
April 23, 2015

Fruit IPM Report 4-24-2015

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Peach

Brown Rot: Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed and a favorable climate exists. Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F. However optimum conditions for infection occur with wetting and temperatures in the mid 70’s. During long wetting periods (several days or more) blossoms can be infected regardless of temperature. Generally infections that occur when conditions are sub optimal are less severe. Blossoms and fruitlets will remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates (sometime between petal fall and shuck split).

Petal Fall Insect Complex: An OFM biofix was set in southern counties on 4/20. Treatments for the first flight will be due at 170-200 degree days after the first trap captures or “biofix.” This timing usually coincides with late petal fall to shuck split. Be sure all petals are off before applying insecticides. Imidan, Lannate, and synthetic pyrethroids (Asana, Ambush/Pounce, Danitol, Mustang/ Mustang Maxx, Warrior, Baythroid) are rated for control of petal fall insect pests. Diamide and diamide mixes are also labeled, and include Altacor, Belt, Voliam Flexi and Voliam Express, Belt and Tourismo, and the new diamide, Exirel. When used alone the diamides are only effective against Leps. such as OFM. Exirel is a second generation diamide and will also control PC, but must be used at the higher rate to do so. This makes it expensive to use. The spinosyn, Delegate is effective for OFM and other Leps, and thrips if they are present in nectarines. Experience has shown that the pyrethroids may be weak at lower rates against plum curculio (PC), especially in hot weather. If using any of the pyrethroids, use a high rate in order to control both OFM and PC. Rotate pyrethroids (IRAC group 3) and O.P.’s (IRAC group 1B) with different chemistries for resistance management. The key arthropod targets at petal fall are OFM, PC and various catfacing insects, primarily tarnished plant bug and native stinkbugs.
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Filed Under: Tree Fruit
April 15, 2015

Fruit IPM Report 4-15-2015

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Peach:

Brown Rot: Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed and a favorable climate exists. Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F. However optimum conditions for infection occur with wetting and temperatures in the mid 70’s. During long wetting periods (several days or more) blossoms can be infected regardless of temperature. Generally infections that occur when conditions are sub optimal are less severe. Blossoms and fruitlets will remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates (sometime between petal fall and shuck split).
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Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit