Foliar diseases, including Fabraea leaf spot and summer rots, should be managed to protect fruit as we approach harvest. FRAC 7 and 11 fungicides provide good control. Consider the pre-harvest interval (PHI) as we approach harvest. Also, read labels and consider restrictions on the number of applications for FRAC 7 and 11 fungicides. Topsin (FRAC 1) is also a good option for control with a 1-day PHI.

Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.

Pear psylla populations have decreased compared to previous weeks. If adult psylla are present, options for control include Actara, Assail, and Belay (IRAC group 4A); Sivanto Prime (IRAC group 4D); Delegate (IRAC Group 5); and products containing abamectin (IRAC group 6).

Brown rot incidence remains low, but where fruit is present, rot has been observed (Figure 3). If you are harvesting fruit, this would be a good week to use one of your stronger single-site materials with a low PHI: Indar, Cevya, Orius, Quash, and Tilt (FRAC group 3); and Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, and Quadris Top (FRAC group 11).

Figure 3. Brown rot on ripening peach fruit.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM) trap captures have decreased, and flight activity should be ending. Consider treatment if trap captures are above threshold (>8 moths per trap). A few options for late in the season with low PHIs would include Assail (7-day), Baythroid XL (7-day), Danitol (3-day), Delegate (1-day), and Sevin (3-day).

Japanese beetles are present in orchards and have been persistent this season, feeding in the tree canopy and on fruit. To prevent losses, include neonicotinoid materials such as Assail (7-day PHI), pyrethroids such as Baythroid (7-day), or premix products such as Leverage 360 (7-day). Verdepryn (IRAC 28, 7-day PHI) is also effective.

Figure 4. Lesser peachtree borer adult.

Scale crawlers are active in orchards. 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.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug nymphs and adults are active and increasing in orchards. Late-season and pre-harvest control options include Assail (7-day PHI), Brigade (14-day), Danitol (3-day), Leverage 360 (7-day), and Venerate (0-day).

Lesser and greater peachtree borer trap captures continued to decline this week, although adults remain active, and egg laying is ongoing (Figure 4). Newly hatched larvae feed on the bark before boring into the lower trunk and root crown, where they overwinter and can weaken or kill trees. Growers should begin preparing for post-harvest trunk applications of pyrethroids (Asana or Pounce) or chlorpyrifos, with mid-August through early September generally providing the best timing to target young larvae before they enter the tree. Apply the insecticide thoroughly to the lower trunk, root flare, scaffold crotches, and any cankered areas, following label directions.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) adults continue to be captured in monitoring traps (Table 1). SWD remains the primary target for insecticide applications.

Blueberry maggot is present, but is managed when controlling for SWD (Table 1). For management recommendations for SWD in blueberry and other berry crops, reference Rutgers Cooperative Extension Factsheet FS1246 and SWD Insecticides for Berries.

Table 1. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot traps

Sharp-nosed leafhopper trap counts remain low (Table 2).

Oriental beetle adult flight activity continues to decrease (Table 2).

Table 2. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle traps

Scales crawler activity of both terrapin scale and Putnam scale slightly increased (Table 3). Monitoring will continue throughout the fall to detect the emergence of the second crawler generation and determine the appropriate timing for pesticide applications. Continued monitoring will help ensure that management recommendations are based on current pest activity and that insecticide applications are made when crawlers are most susceptible. Scale infestations on fruit remain low (Table 4).

Table 3. Scale Traps

Table 4. Scale Infestation on Fruit

The IPM team continues to observe anthracnose and Alternaria. For recommendations on fungicide products, refer to the 2026 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey or https://extension.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/bb-v42n01.pdf.

Weeds

Last week, the IPM team monitored 88 fields for weed pressure. The predominant weed species observed across production fields were nutsedge and goosegrass followed by marestail and barnyard grass. This was the last week for assessing weed pressure in the fields.  Based on current field conditions, postemergence herbicide selections should prioritize products with strong activity on annual grass species while considering the existing weed spectrum within individual fields. Refer to the 2026 Rutgers Blueberry Commercial Guide for management recommendations. 

Grape berry moth (GBM) continues to be captured in pheromone-baited traps in vineyards. Where populations have been managed, no further treatment should be needed, particularly as insecticide management shifts to other pests. Monitor for damage to bunches and consider treatment when 10% or more of the bunches show berry webbing and GBM larval feeding injury. See the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for management options.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) adults are present in vineyards. As we approach September, adult migration into vineyards will increase, at which point we consider applying materials with long residual efficacy. See this previous Plant & Pest Advisory post on Management of Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey Vineyards.

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.

Grape root borer (GRB) adults are active and flying in vineyards. Monitoring traps indicate the presence of GRB in the area, but only scouting around the bases of vines will indicate the presence of GRB in the vineyard. Adult moths will lay eggs July-August. Larvae will enter the soil and migrate to the roots, where they feed and cause damage. Dr. Anne Nielsen and the IPM team will be monitoring vineyards throughout the state to assess GRB population pressure in NJ.

Grapes are beginning veraison in southern counties. Disease management continues to focus mainly on downy mildew (Figure 5), as well as powdery mildew, bunch rot, and black rot, but disease observations have been minimal. Refer to the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on disease management options.

Figure 5. Downy mildew on the underside of a grape leaf.