We have developed a table outlining the recommended insecticides for BMSB and their use restrictions to aide growers in making management decisions. Please note that the table has been revised since its original publication.
Developing insect management programs in New Jersey tree fruit is complicated due to the large number of pests – both native and invasive. Despite many great advances in reduced risk compounds, the diverse pest complex frequently requires insecticide applications that target multiple pests. In recent years, fruit growers in our area have had injury from brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) that has changed management programs.
BMSB is present season-long with a large dispersal/movement to peaches in mid-late May with adults reproducing throughout the growing season. Infestation of tree fruit might also be observed after early season crops, such as wheat, have been harvested. Apples and pears do not appear to be as attractive as peaches to BMSB early in the season, but face critical injury periods from mid to late summer with BMSB populations peaking right before the beginning of harvest for many varieties. Apples especially face increased pressure when neighboring crops, such as corn (sweet or field) and soybeans, hosting BMSB populations are harvested or senesce. Although Rutgers is collaborating on a large multi-state project to identify the best monitoring tool (specifically pheromone traps), our current best monitoring tools are black light traps and visual observations. Unless your orchard has had a history of BMSB pressure, crops should be monitored for BMSB or for catfacing injury before insecticide management is used. Catfacing injury occurring late June looks like water spots or small areas of bleeding/oozing in peaches. This type of injury will become depressed or sunken during fruit development. The Rutgers IPM program currently scouts for BMSB at participating farms.
To assist fruit growers in management decisions, we have compiled a list of recommended (or commonly used) chemicals for BMSB control and included the number of applications allowable for each compound [BMSB Spray Schedule-table]. The rates listed are the maximum label rate allowable, as laboratory and field testing of these compounds has indicated that the higher rate is required. Most of the insecticides listed are constricted to pyrethroid and neonicotinoid classes. Some insects have developed resistance to insecticides after repeated use, and even though there is no documented insecticide resistance in BMSB, chemical classes should be rotated throughout the season to reduce the risk of this occurring. Please follow all label instructions.
The most effective compounds may best be used during the first dispersal into crops and again when the first generation adults emerge, typically in mid-July. We are currently evaluating changes in efficacy over the season so that programs can be best optimized and will share this information as soon as it is available.
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