Pre-Harvest Drop Control and Harvest Management for Apples

For growers interested in using these products on Early/Mid-Season apple varieties, now is the time to consider applying them.  Think high value varieties such as early season Honeycrisp.

As apples mature they produce the hormone ethylene.  Ethylene induces stem loosening which results in pre-harvest drop of apples.  Luckily there are several tools that when applied at optimal times can aid in the management of pre-harvest drop of apples.

*Prior to the application of any product though, remember to read and follow the product label, because the label is the law.

 

Plant Growth Regulator Options for Apple Harvest Management

Active Ingredient: AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine)

ReTain 

This product slows starch disappearance, fruit softening, stem loosening and red color development.

Benefits include:

Expansion of the harvest window by minimizing pre-harvest drop and retaining fruit firmness.
Enhancement of fruit size since fruit are given more time to hang onto the tree.
Color enhancement due to exposure to improved weather for fruit coloring (warm sunny days and cool nights).

Application Timing: For maximum efficacy ReTain must be applied 4 weeks prior to harvest.

Single Pick Varieties

For single pick early season varieties, establish the ‘usual’ harvest time for the variety, and if the season is running early adjust the date earlier (accordingly).  Once an accurate estimated harvest date is established count back four weeks.  This timepoint plus 7 days is the spray window for ReTain for that variety.

Calculate the spray timing for later season, single pick varieties in a similar way.  However, later varieties generally do not need harvest date adjustment due to seasonal variation in the same way early season varieties do.

Multiple Pick Varieties i.e. Gala and Honeycrisp

Spray timing for these varieties is 7 to 14 days prior to harvest/first pick.  Note that ReTain will not affect the first harvest/pick but will provide stop drop control for later season picks.

Variety Response to ReTain and Rate:

*When applying ReTain be sure to include 100% Organosilicate surfactant @ 12 ounces/100 gallons.
*Ensure there will be 6 hours of drying time after the application.

 

Active Ingredient: 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene)

Harvista

Much like ReTain this product slows starch disappearance, fruit softening, red color development and pre-harvest drop.

Application Timing: It should be applied within 3 days prior to harvest, much closer to the time of harvest than a ReTain application.  This product is a bit more complicated to use in that it must be applied via a proprietary in-line injector system.

 

Active Ingredient: NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid)

NAA (Multiple Formulations)

This product provides what is considered a rescue treatment for control of fruit drop.

Application Timing: Optimum timing of spray is a couple days prior to harvest, when the first fruit begins to drop.

One application of 10 ppm NAA will provide 7-10 days of drop control.
A two-part spray of 10 ppm, one a couple days prior to harvest and a second 5 days later will provide 10-14 days of drop control.
Keep in mind it takes ~2-3 days for the sprays to take effect.

*Apply with a nonionic or organosilicate surfactant.
*Spray when the temperatures are in the mid 70’s.  If the temperature is too hot, fruit ripening can be accelerated.

 

Table 1. A quick comparison of compounds registered as stop drops.

Parameter ReTain Fruitone, PoMaxa, or Refine Harvista
Active Ingredient AVG NAA 1-MCP
What Is Blocked Ethylene production Stem loosening Ethylene action
Drop Delay (Approximate) 10–14 days 5–7 days 10–14 days
Fruit Ripening Slowed Advanced Slowed
Fruit Color Delayed No effect Somewhat delayed
Fruit Softening Delayed No change or advanced Delayed
Applied (Relative to Drop) 2-4 weeks before Just prior to Just prior to
Rescue Option? No Yes Yes
Days to Take Effect >7 ~2 ~2
Split Sprays Helpful Yes Yes Not applicable
REI 12 hours 48 hours 4 hours
PHI 7 days 2 days 3 days

Cited from 2024-2025 Penn State Tree Fruit Production Guide page 79.

 

For additional details on utilizing plant growth regulators for harvest management read:

2025/2026 New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide Chapter 10.
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=e002

Apple PGRs – Prevention of Preharvest Drop in Apple Orchards – Production and Harvesting – Fruit – Forage and Food Crops (psu.edu)

Fruit IPM Report August 12, 2025

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 in southern counties, and on 4/17 in northern counties. The third generation timings are over in all regions. Additional treatments should be made if trap captures are over 6 moths per trap.

Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  8/11 base 45 Conventional

2000-2100 2350-2450

Diamide

2025-2150 2375-2450

Gloucester – Southern 3086 1st –past

2nd –Past

1st –past

2nd –past

Middlesex – Northern 2885 1st –past

2nd –past

1st –past

2nd –past

Scale Insects: Scale crawler emergence is past peak and declining. White Peach scale has a third generation in September and San Jose scale may have a third generation in October. Options at this point include Assail, Belay (Group 4A); and the bioinsecticide Venerate. These products may provide some late season suppression where fruit damage is observed. Venerate has a 0-day PHI, making it useful for blocks near or at harvest.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Summer scab, rots and sooty blotch and fly speck are the main targets at this time. Captan plus a phosphorous acid like Prophyt can slow scab development as well as provide good summer disease control. Merivon and Luna Sensation are effective materials for summer diseases to use close to harvest.

Figure 1. Brown marmorated stink bug first instar nymphs recently emerged from egg masses. Photo by Kaitlin Quinn.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels in orchards statewide (Figure 1). See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Codling Moth (CM): A biofix was set for CM on April 28th in southern counties, and April 30 in Northern counties. Second generation treatments according to the degree day model are now over. Additional treatments should be made if trap captures are over 5 moths/trap. Some orchards have had continuing trap captures above threshold.

Scale Insects: For San Jose scale see the peach section above.

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2025 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 30
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 30
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 4 +/- 15 Days April 1
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 5
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 16
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 25
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 19
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 2
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 15

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/5/2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/12/2025 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 0 0 0 0 36 0 1 0 0 0
4/27/2025 25 0 0 0 24 0 5 0 1 0
5/2/2025 517 0 4 0 12 0 6 0 13 0
5/9/2025 159 4 10 0 3 16 5 4 46 0
5/16/2025 91 11 6 0 1 36 2 14 69 0
5/23/2025 299 21 3 0 1 23 1 26 23 0
5/30/2025 399 14 2 0 0 41 1 11 10 3
6/6/2025 733 13 1 0 0 36 2 12 29 1
6/13/2025 684 19 2 1 0 81 2 17 22 8
6/20/2025 724 24 2 0.5 1 60 1 23 19 12
6/27/2025 932 5 1 0.8 1 40 0 5 24 14
7/4/2025 643 0 0 0.75 1 17 0 0 6 16
7/11/2025 194 0 0 0.5 0 18 8 0 24 15
7/18/2025 190 0 0 1 0 16 2 1 5 12
7/25/2025 222 2 1 1.6 0 16 1 2 12 21
8/1/2025 450 1 0 2 1 24 2 1 21 18
8/8/2025 523 2 1 2 0 35 5 2 30 19

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB AMBROSIA BEETLE
4/5/2025 387 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 435 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 0 0 0 0
4/27/2025 26 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 72
5/2/2025 86 0 0.33 0 72.5 0 47.2 0 0 0 136
5/9/2025 56 0 5.3 0 58.8 0 22.9 0 0 0 145
5/16/2025 13.75 2.6 7.3 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 50.5
5/23/2025 4.8 10.3 10.5 0 0.6 31.25 4.2 0 14.6 1 22.2
5/30/2025 2.2 4.8 1.8 0 0 12.4 9.6 0 9.6 1.9 22.1
6/6/2025 3 4.83 2.8 0.25 0 20 4.1 0 21.2 1.8 40.3
6/13/2025 65 20 11.4 0.6 0 12.3 4 0 10.5 1.5 59.2
6/20/2025 26 26 8 0.75 1 13 4.5 0 11 0.75 52
6/27/2025 145 19 6 1.3 6 35 5.4 0 16 1.6 38
7/4/2025 212 6 3 0.6 12.5 40 2 0 8.4 1.1 27
7/11/2025 125 2.5 0.5 0.14 5 41 3 0 20 4.5 48
7/18/2025 64 0.5 0.4 0.16 2 42 2 0 8.4 1.9 64
7/25/2025 110.5 0.4 2.3 0.24 7.5 44 4 0 6.8 12.2 69
8/1/2025 132 0.5 2.8 0.4 5.7 42.5 2.9 0 8 6.2 71.5
8/8/2025 157 1.9 0.6 0.41 6 27.8 8.3 0 10.8 5.5 78

Grapes:

Diseases: Grapes are beginning veraison in southern counties. Disease management continues to focus on downy mildew (Figure 2), and also powdery mildew, bunch rot, and black rot. Refer to the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for information on control.

Figure 2. Downy mildew on grape.

Grape Berry Moth: The timing for the third generation is past. In some hot summers a fourth generation may occur; however no further treatments should be needed, especially where insecticides are being applied for Spotted lanternfly.

Spotted Lanternfly: Spotted lantern fly adults are now appearing in vineyards. As we move into September adult migration will increase and at that point growers should apply materials with long residual efficacy. More information on biology and control can be found from Penn State.

Spotted-Wing Drosophila: Trap counts continue to remain high in blueberries in southern counties. Monitoring efforts have shifted to grapes as veraison progresses and ripe fruit becomes vulnerable to infestation.

For weekly reports on blueberry pests and recommendations read the Rutgers Blueberry Bulletin.

Fruit IPM Report July 29, 2025

Peach:

DiseasesBrown rot: Brown rot is appearing in ripening fruit throughout the state. Highly effective rot materials such as DMI’s (FRAC group 3) and Strobilurins (FRAC group 11) should be applied beginning 3 – 4 weeks prior to harvest. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Cat-facing Insects: Cat-facing insects remain active in orchards. The percent fruit injury observed remains low (average <1%).

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 for southern counties and 4/17 in northern counties. See below for timings for third generation.

OFM 3nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by 7/28 base 45 Conventional

2100-2200

2450-2500

Intrepid/Rimon

2000-2100

2350-2450

Diamides/Virus

2025-2150

2375-2450

Gloucester – Southern 2691 1st –past

2nd – past

1st –past

2nd – past

1st –past

2nd – past

Middlesex – Northern 2490 1st – past

2nd – 7/27-7/29

1st – past

2nd – 7/24-7/27

1st – past

2nd – 7/25-7/27

 

Figure 1. San Jose scale crawlers (orange motile insects) on peach. Photo by Dave Schmitt.

Scale Insects: Numbers of scale crawlers on traps in southern county orchards are increasing indicating the second generation has emerged (Figure 1).

Crawler emergence will continue through August. Esteem and Centaur are both good scale materials that should be applied at the start of crawler emergence. These materials should only need one application. Other options include: Assail, Belay, Actara (Group 4A): Closer (Group 4C); Sivanto (Group 4D) and Venerate. These products may need more than one application. Venerate is a good option as a pre-harvest treatment with a 0-day PHI.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles and June bugs have been observed feeding on fruit throughout the state. Adults are attracted to ripening fruit. Insecticides that are effective against Japanese beetles and june bugs are products that contain imidacloprid (Admire pro and Leverage 360), Danitol, and Sevin.

Apples and Pears:

Figure 2. Bitter rot infection on maturing apple fruit.

Diseases: Various rots but mostly bitter rot is present in orchards throughout the state (Figure 2).

Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Inspire Super, Omega, and Aprovia are effective rot materials to be alternated with broad-spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram. Phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart can be added to captan sprays to improve control.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are being captured at low levels in orchards statewide. Both adults and nymphs are present. See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Codling Moth (CM): Second generation timings are updated below. Adult male trap captures continue and increased slightly in some southern county orchards last week. Additional applications should be made if trap captures exceed 5 moths/trap.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Second Generation
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

Intrepid

1150 + 1450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

Madex

1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

1250 DD + 1550 DD

 

DD 1150 1450 1250 1250 1550
Southern April 28 N/A N/A past past past past past
Northern  April 30 N/A N/A past past past past past

Scale Insects: See earlier statement on scale insects in peaches.

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2025 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 30
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 30
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 4 +/- 15 Days April 1
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 5
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 16
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 25
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 19
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 2
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 15

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/5/2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/12/2025 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 0 0 0 0 36 0 1 0 0 0
4/27/2025 25 0 0 0 24 0 5 0 1 0
5/2/2025 517 0 4 0 12 0 6 0 13 0
5/9/2025 159 4 10 0 3 16 5 4 46 0
5/16/2025 91 11 6 0 1 36 2 14 69 0
5/23/2025 299 21 3 0 1 23 1 26 23 0
5/30/2025 399 14 2 0 0 41 1 11 10 3
6/6/2025 733 13 1 0 0 36 2 12 29 1
6/13/2025 684 19 2 1 0 81 2 17 22 8
6/20/2025 724 24 2 0.5 1 60 1 23 19 12
6/27/2025 932 5 1 0.8 1 40 0 5 24 14
7/4/2025 643 0 0 0.75 1 17 0 0 6 16
7/11/2025 194 0 0 0.5 0 18 8 0 24 15
7/18/2025 190 0 0 1 0 16 2 1 5 12
7/25/2025 222 2 1 1.6 0 16 1 2 12 21

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB AMBROSIA BEETLE
4/5/2025 387 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 435 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 0 0 0 0
4/27/2025 26 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 72
5/2/2025 86 0 0.33 0 72.5 0 47.2 0 0 0 136
5/9/2025 56 0 5.3 0 58.8 0 22.9 0 0 0 145
5/16/2025 13.75 2.6 7.3 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 50.5
5/23/2025 4.8 10.3 10.5 0 0.6 31.25 4.2 0 14.6 1 22.2
5/30/2025 2.2 4.8 1.8 0 0 12.4 9.6 0 9.6 1.9 22.1
6/6/2025 3 4.83 2.8 0.25 0 20 4.1 0 21.2 1.8 40.3
6/13/2025 65 20 11.4 0.6 0 12.3 4 0 10.5 1.5 59.2
6/20/2025 26 26 8 0.75 1 13 4.5 0 11 0.75 52
6/27/2025 145 19 6 1.3 6 35 5.4 0 16 1.6 38
7/4/2025 212 6 3 0.6 12.5 40 2 0 8.4 1.1 27
7/11/2025 125 2.5 0.5 0.14 5 41 3 0 20 4.5 48
7/18/2025 64 0.5 0.4 0.16 2 42 2 0 8.4 1.9 64
7/25/2025 110.5 0.4 2.3 0.24 7.5 44 4 0 6.8 12.2 69

Grape: Grapes are beginning veraison in southern counties. Third generation grape berry moths are actively flying and larvae have been observed feeding in grape bunches.

Figure 3. Downy mildew on the underside of a grape leaf.

Refer to the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for management options. Spotted lanternfly adults are now being reported in vineyards in southern NJ. Japanese beetles are actively feeding on foliage. Stink bugs have also been observed in vineyards in southern counties. Disease management continues to focus on downy mildew (Figure 3).

Blueberry: Spotted-wing drosophila trap captures remain high at an average of 52 males and 35 in Atlantic and Burlington Counties, respectively. Treatments for spotted-wing drosophila should continue on a 7-day schedule where susceptible fruit remain in the field. For management recommendations, refer to Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey. For weekly reports on blueberry pests and recommendations read the Rutgers Blueberry Bulletin.

Fruit IPM Report July 21, 2025

Peach:

Figure 1. Brown rot on ripening peach fruit.

DiseasesBrown rot: Brown rot is appearing in ripening fruit throughout the state (Figure 1).

Highly effective rot materials such as DMI’s (FRAC group 3) and Strobilurins (FRAC group 11) should be applied beginning 3 – 4 weeks prior to harvest. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Cat-facing Insects: Tarnished plant bug and stink bugs are active and present at moderate to high levels in some orchards. The percent fruit injury observed remains low (average <1%).

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 for southern counties and 4/17 in northern counties. See below for timings for third generation.

OFM 3nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by 7/21 base 45 Conventional

2100-2200

2450-2500

Intrepid/Rimon

2000-2100

2350-2450

Diamides/Virus

2025-2150

2375-2450

Gloucester – Southern 2455 1st –past

2nd – 7/21-7/23

1st –past

2nd – 7/18-7/21

1st –past

2nd – 7/19-7/21

Middlesex – Northern 2263 1st – past

2nd – 7/27-7/29

1st – past

2nd – 7/24-7/27

1st – past

2nd – 7/25-7/27

Scale Insects: Second generation White Peach Scale crawlers should emerge sometime this week or next. Second generation San Jose Scale crawlers emerge about 7/17 +/- 8 days. Esteem is a good scale material that has a 14-day PHI for stone fruit. Centaur is also effective, has a 14-day PHI and can be used only once during the growing season. Venerate has shown efficacy as a pre-harvest treatment against scale and has a 0-day PHI. If using Venerate to control scale insects, make 2 applications 7 days apart starting a week after crawler emergence.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles and June bugs have been observed feeding on fruit in southern counties. Adults are attracted to ripening fruit. Insecticides that are effective against Japanese beetles and june bugs are products that contain imidacloprid (Admire pro and Leverage 360), Danitol, and Sevin.

Apples and Pears:

Figure 2. Bitter rot infection on apple.

Diseases: Various rots but mostly bitter rot is present in orchards throughout the state (Figure 2).

Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Inspire Super, Omega, and Aprovia are effective rot materials to be alternated with broad-spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram. Phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart can be added to captan sprays to improve control.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are being captured at low levels in orchards statewide. Both adults and nymphs are present. See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Codling Moth (CM): Second generation timings are updated below. Trap captures continue and increased slightly in some southern county orchards last week. Additional applications should be made if trap captures exceed 5 moths/trap.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Second Generation
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

Intrepid

1150 + 1450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

Madex

1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

1250 DD + 1550 DD

 

DD 1150 1450 1250 1250 1550
Southern April 28 N/A N/A past past past past past
Northern  April 30 N/A N/A past past past past past

Scale Insects: See earlier statement on scale insects in peaches.

Pear: Pear psylla nymphs have been observed in high numbers feeding on new growth in some orchards. Options for control include Movento (IRAC group 23), spinosyn products such as Delegate (IRAC group 5), and the neonicotinoids (IRAC group 4A).

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2025 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 30
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 30
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 4 +/- 15 Days April 1
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 5
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 16
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 25
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 19
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 2
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 15

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/5/2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/12/2025 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 0 0 0 0 36 0 1 0 0 0
4/27/2025 25 0 0 0 24 0 5 0 1 0
5/2/2025 517 0 4 0 12 0 6 0 13 0
5/9/2025 159 4 10 0 3 16 5 4 46 0
5/16/2025 91 11 6 0 1 36 2 14 69 0
5/23/2025 299 21 3 0 1 23 1 26 23 0
5/30/2025 399 14 2 0 0 41 1 11 10 3
6/6/2025 733 13 1 0 0 36 2 12 29 1
6/13/2025 684 19 2 1 0 81 2 17 22 8
6/20/2025 724 24 2 0.5 1 60 1 23 19 12
6/27/2025 932 5 1 0.8 1 40 0 5 24 14
7/4/2025 643 0 0 0.75 1 17 0 0 6 16
7/11/2025 194 0 0 0.5 0 18 8 0 24 15
7/18/2025 190 0 0 1 0 16 2 1 5 12

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB AMBROSIA BEETLE
4/5/2025 387 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 435 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 0 0 0 0
4/27/2025 26 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 72
5/2/2025 86 0 0.33 0 72.5 0 47.2 0 0 0 136
5/9/2025 56 0 5.3 0 58.8 0 22.9 0 0 0 145
5/16/2025 13.75 2.6 7.3 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 50.5
5/23/2025 4.8 10.3 10.5 0 0.6 31.25 4.2 0 14.6 1 22.2
5/30/2025 2.2 4.8 1.8 0 0 12.4 9.6 0 9.6 1.9 22.1
6/6/2025 3 4.83 2.8 0.25 0 20 4.1 0 21.2 1.8 40.3
6/13/2025 65 20 11.4 0.6 0 12.3 4 0 10.5 1.5 59.2
6/20/2025 26 26 8 0.75 1 13 4.5 0 11 0.75 52
6/27/2025 145 19 6 1.3 6 35 5.4 0 16 1.6 38
7/4/2025 212 6 3 0.6 12.5 40 2 0 8.4 1.1 27
7/11/2025 125 2.5 0.5 0.14 5 41 3 0 20 4.5 48
7/18/2025 64 0.5 0.4 0.16 2 42 2 0 8.4 1.9 64

Figure 3. Spotted lanternfly adult in vineyards in south NJ.

Grape: The next timing for Grape Berry Moth will be on or about 7/22 if using Intrepid, Altacor or other diamides in southern counties. Growers using other insecticides can make applications a few days later. Spotted lanternfly adults are now being reported in vineyards in southern NJ (Figure 3).

Japanese beetles are actively feeding on foliage. Observations of downy mildew have increased from the previous week.

Blueberry: Treatments for spotted-wing drosophila should continue on a 7-day schedule. For management recommendations, refer to Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey. For weekly reports on blueberry pests and recommendations read the Rutgers Blueberry Bulletin.

Fruit IPM Report July 14, 2025

Peach:

Figure 1. Early cat-facing injury on peach.

Brown rot: Most growers should be relying on a captan based program for mid-season covers, followed by better materials during the last 3 weeks pre-harvest. For reference see Dr. Norm Lalancette’s post Improving Your Late Season Peach Brown Rot Control Program — Plant & Pest Advisory 

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Cat-facing Insects: Tarnished plant bug and stink bugs are active and present at moderate to high levels in some orchards. The percent fruit injury observed remains low (average <1%) but has increased from previous weeks (Figure 1).

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 for southern counties and 4/17 in northern counties. See below for timings for third generation.

OFM 3nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by 7/14 base 45 Conventional

2100-2200

2450-2500

Intrepid/Rimon

2000-2100

2350-2450

Diamides/Virus

2025-2150

2375-2450

Gloucester – Southern 2214 1st –past

2nd – 7/21-7/23

1st –past

2nd – 7/18-7/21

1st –past

2nd – 7/19-7/21

Middlesex – Northern 2028 1st – 7/16-7/19

2nd – 7/27-7/29

1st – 7/13-7/16

2nd – 7/24-7/27

1st – 7/15-7/18

2nd – 7/25-7/27

Scale Insects: Second generation White Peach Scale crawlers should emerge sometime this week or next. Second generation San Jose Scale crawlers emerge about 7/17 +/- 8 days. Esteem is a good scale material that has a 14-day PHI for stone fruit. Centaur is also effective, has a 14-day PHI and can be used only once during the growing season. Venerate has shown efficacy as a pre-harvest treatment against scale and has a 0-day PHI. If using Venerate to control scale insects, make 2 applications 7 days apart starting a week after crawler emergence.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetle activity has increased in orchards throughout the state. Products containing imidacloprid are standard insecticides for Japanese beetle control and have a short PHI. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Now that primary scab has ended, the focus turns toward summer diseases such as fruit rots (esp. Bitter rot), and sooty blotch and fly speck. Bitter rot control has been difficult at best in recent years even where management programs have been rigorous. Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Inspire Super, Omega, and Aprovia may be effective, and longtime reliable broad-spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram should provide control. Experience has suggested that the addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays may improve control. Observations are that these products improve control of other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present. Fungicides should be applied every 10-14 days, or consider reapplication after 2 inches of rainfall. Bitter rot symptoms have been observed in both southern and northern counties.

Figure 2. Adult Brown marmorated stink bug in apple. 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are being captured at low levels in orchards statewide. Both adults and nymphs are present (Figure 2). See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Codling Moth (CM): Second generation timings are updated below. Trap counts and emergence are low. Therefore, if you have applied your 2nd generation insecticides and your trap counts are low (less than 5 moths per trap), additional treatments are not needed.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Second Generation
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

Intrepid

1150 + 1450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

Madex

1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

1250 DD + 1550 DD

 

DD 1150 1450 1250 1250 1550
Southern April 28 N/A N/A past past past past past
Northern  April 30 N/A N/A past 7/14 past past 7/17

Scale Insects: Second generation San Jose Scale should emerge about mid-July. Options include Esteem (2 applications/year; 45-day PHI); Centaur (1 application/year; 14-day PHI); Diazinon 50W (2 applications/year; 21-day PHI); Venerate (0-day PHI; Make two applications 7 days apart starting a week after crawler emergence).

Pear: Pear psylla nymphs have been observed in high numbers feeding on new growth in some orchards. Options for control include Movento (IRAC group 23), spinosyn products such as Delegate (IRAC group 5), and the neonicotinoids (IRAC group 4A).

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2025 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 30
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 30
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 4 +/- 15 Days April 1
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 5
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 16
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 25
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 19
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 2
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 15

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/5/2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/12/2025 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 0 0 0 0 36 0 1 0 0 0
4/27/2025 25 0 0 0 24 0 5 0 1 0
5/2/2025 517 0 4 0 12 0 6 0 13 0
5/9/2025 159 4 10 0 3 16 5 4 46 0
5/16/2025 91 11 6 0 1 36 2 14 69 0
5/23/2025 299 21 3 0 1 23 1 26 23 0
5/30/2025 399 14 2 0 0 41 1 11 10 3
6/6/2025 733 13 1 0 0 36 2 12 29 1
6/13/2025 684 19 2 1 0 81 2 17 22 8
6/20/2025 724 24 2 0.5 1 60 1 23 19 12
6/27/2025 932 5 1 0.8 1 40 0 5 24 14
7/4/2025 643 0 0 0.75 1 17 0 0 6 16
7/11/2025 194 0 0 0.5 0 18 8 0 24 0

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB AMBROSIA BEETLE
4/5/2025 387 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 435 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 0 0 0 0
4/27/2025 26 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 72
5/2/2025 86 0 0.33 0 72.5 0 47.2 0 0 0 136
5/9/2025 56 0 5.3 0 58.8 0 22.9 0 0 0 145
5/16/2025 13.75 2.6 7.3 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 50.5
5/23/2025 4.8 10.3 10.5 0 0.6 31.25 4.2 0 14.6 1 22.2
5/30/2025 2.2 4.8 1.8 0 0 12.4 9.6 0 9.6 1.9 22.1
6/6/2025 3 4.83 2.8 0.25 0 20 4.1 0 21.2 1.8 40.3
6/13/2025 65 20 11.4 0.6 0 12.3 4 0 10.5 1.5 59.2
6/20/2025 26 26 8 0.75 1 13 4.5 0 11 0.75 52
6/27/2025 145 19 6 1.3 6 35 5.4 0 16 1.6 38
7/4/2025 212 6 3 0.6 12.5 40 2 0 8.4 1.1 27
7/11/2025 125 2.5 0.5 0.14 5 41 3 0 20 4.5 48

Grape: The next timing for Grape Berry Moth will be on or about 7/22 for Intrepid or Diamides, or a few days later for other insecticides based on the biofix of May 19 in southern counties.

Figure 3. Downy mildew on grape.

Treatments for the third generation are at an accumulation of 1620 degree days (base 47.14). Spotted lanternfly adults were reported last week in vineyards in southern NJ. See this previous Plant & Pest Advisory post on Management of Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey Vineyards. Also, Japanese beetle pressure is increasing in vineyards throughout the state. See the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on insecticides effective for JB.

Diseases: Wet, warm and humid weather has been conducive for infections from Downy mildew. Dr. Mizuho Nita at Virginia Tech provides a comprehensive update and summary of diseases from bloom to harvest.

Blueberry: Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) numbers have increased from previous weeks. Treatments for spotted-wing drosophila should continue on a 7-day schedule. For management recommendations, refer to Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey. For weekly reports on blueberry pests and recommendations read the Rutgers Blueberry Bulletin.

Fruit IPM Report July 7, 2025

Peach:

Figure 1. Brown rot on mature fruit. Entire surface of lesion is covered with spores.

Brown Rot:  Warm and wet weather this summer have been ideal conditions for brown rot to develop on fruit (Figure 1). Most growers should be relying on a captan based program for mid-season covers, followed by better materials during the last 3 weeks pre-harvest. For reference see Dr. Norm Lalancette’s post Improving Your Late Season Peach Brown Rot Control Program — Plant & Pest Advisory.

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Cat-facing Insects: Cat-facing insect activity is increasing with the arrival of hot weather and is present at moderate to high levels in some orchards.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 for southern counties and 4/17 in northern counties. See below for timings for third generation.

OFM 3nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  7/7 base 45 Conventional

2100-2200

2450-2500

Intrepid/Rimon

2000-2100

2350-2450

Diamides/Virus

2025-2150

2375-2450

Gloucester – Southern 1971 1st –7/11-7/14

2nd – 7/22-7/24

1st –7/8-7/11

2nd – 7/19-7/22

1st –7/9-7/12

2nd – 7/20-7/22

Middlesex – Northern 1790 1st – 7/17-7/20

2nd – too far off

1st – 7/14-7/17

2nd – too far off

1st – 7/15-7/18

2nd – too far off

 

Scale Insects: Second generation White Peach Scale crawlers should emerge sometime this week or next. Second generation San Jose Scale crawlers emerge about 7/17 +/- 8 days. Esteem is a good scale material that has a 14-day PHI for stone fruit. Centaur is also effective, has a 14-day PHI and can be used only once during the growing season. Venerate has shown efficacy as a pre-harvest treatment against scale and has a 0-day PHI. If using Venerate to control scale insects, make 2 applications 7 days apart starting a week after crawler emergence.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetle activity has been noticeable in many orchards. Products containing imidacloprid are standard insecticides for Japanese beetle control and have a short PHI. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Apples and Pears:

Figure 2. Bitter rot infection on apple.

Diseases: Now that primary scab has ended, the focus turns toward summer diseases such as fruit rots (esp. Bitter rot; Figure 2), and sooty blotch and fly speck. Bitter rot control has been difficult at best in recent years even where management programs have been rigorous. Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Inspire Super, Omega, and Aprovia may be effective, and longtime reliable broad-spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram should provide control. Experience has suggested that the addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays may improve control. Observations are that these products improve control of other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present. Bitter rot symptoms have been observed in both southern and northern counties.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels in orchards statewide. Eggs are hatching and nymphs are present. See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Codling Moth (CM): Second generation timings are updated below. Trap counts and emergence are low. Therefore, if you have applied your 2nd generation insecticides and your trap counts are low (less than 5 moths per trap), additional treatments are not needed.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Second Generation
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

Intrepid

1150 + 1450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

Madex

1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

1250 DD + 1550 DD

 

DD 1150 1450 1250 1250 1550
Southern April 28 N/A N/A past 7/10 past past 7/13
Northern  April 30 N/A N/A past 7/13 7/7 7/7 7/17

 

Scale Insects: Second generation San Jose Scale should emerge about mid-July. Options include Esteem (2 applications/year; 45-day PHI); Centaur (1 application/year; 14-day PHI); Diazinon 50W (2 applications/year; 21-day PHI); Venerate (0-day PHI; Make two applications 7 days apart starting a week after crawler emergence).

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2025 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 30
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 30
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 4 +/- 15 Days April 1
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 5
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 16
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 25
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 19
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 2
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 15

 

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/5/2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/12/2025 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 0 0 0 0 36 0 1 0 0 0
4/27/2025 25 0 0 0 24 0 5 0 1 0
5/2/2025 517 0 4 0 12 0 6 0 13 0
5/9/2025 159 4 10 0 3 16 5 4 46 0
5/16/2025 91 11 6 0 1 36 2 14 69 0
5/23/2025 299 21 3 0 1 23 1 26 23 0
5/30/2025 399 14 2 0 0 41 1 11 10 3
6/6/2025 733 13 1 0 0 36 2 12 29 1
6/13/2025 684 19 2 1 0 81 2 17 22 8
6/20/2025 724 24 2 0.5 1 60 1 23 19 12
6/27/2025 932 5 1 0.8 1 40 0 5 24 14
7/4/2025 643 0 0 0.75 1 17 0 0 6 16

 

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

Week Ending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB AMBROSIA BEETLE
4/5/2025 387 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4/21/2025 435 0 0 0 0 0 1.3 0 0 0 0
4/27/2025 26 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 72
5/2/2025 86 0 0.33 0 72.5 0 47.2 0 0 0 136
5/9/2025 56 0 5.3 0 58.8 0 22.9 0 0 0 145
5/16/2025 13.75 2.6 7.3 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 50.5
5/23/2025 4.8 10.3 10.5 0 0.6 31.25 4.2 0 14.6 1 22.2
5/30/2025 2.2 4.8 1.8 0 0 12.4 9.6 0 9.6 1.9 22.1
6/6/2025 3 4.83 2.8 0.25 0 20 4.1 0 21.2 1.8 40.3
6/13/2025 65 20 11.4 0.6 0 12.3 4 0 10.5 1.5 59.2
6/20/2025 26 26 8 0.75 1 13 4.5 0 11 0.75 52
6/27/2025 145 19 6 1.3 6 35 5.4 0 16 1.6 38
7/4/2025 212 6 3 6 12.5 40 2 0 8.4 1.1 27

 

Grape: The next timing for Grape Berry Moth will be on or about 7/24 for Intrepid or Diamides, or a few days later for other insecticides based on the biofix of May 24 in southern counties. Treatments for the third generation are at an accumulation of 1620 degree days (base 47.14).

Blueberry: Spotted-wing drosophila, Oriental beetle, and Sharp-nosed leafhopper have increased from the previous week. Blueberry maggot trap counts remain low. For weekly reports on blueberry pests and recommendations read the Rutgers Blueberry Bulletin.

Week Ending  SWD AC Traps SWD BC Traps OB AC Traps OB BC Traps
AVG HIGH AVG HIGH AVG HIGH AVG HIGH
6/6/25 8.5 29 3 9 7.8 29 0 0
6/13/25 21.51 45 32.6 86 240 1350 34 170
6/20/25 37.52 148 37.6 83 405 2025 555.4 4050
6/27/25 13.5 34 27.4 67 681 2025 134.9 450
7/4/25 21.2 73 41.1 64 541 2025 331.6 1575
SWD = Spotted-Wing Drosophila, OB = Oriental Beetle; AC = Atlantic County, BC = Burlington County

 

Week Ending BBM AC Traps BBM BC Traps SNLH AC Traps SNLH BC Traps
AVG HIGH AVG HIGH AVG HIGH AVG HIGH
6/6/25 0 0 0 0 1 6 0.85 3
6/13/25 0.29 7 0.16 4 1.26 8 3.27 17
6/20/25 0 0 0.04 1 1.28 8 4 16
6/27/25 0.05 4 0 0 0.25 1 0.28 2
7/4/25 0 0 0 0 0.81 13 1.17 4
BBM = Blueberry Maggot, SNLH = Sharp-nosed Leafhopper; AC = Atlantic County, BC = Burlington County