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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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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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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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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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