Rutgers NJAES Wine Grape Extension, in association with Penn State Extension Grape and Wine Team, is calling on those who own, operate, or manage a farm or vineyard in the New Jersey region to participate in a survey that aims to track the spread and severity of nymph and adult spotted lanternfly populations during the 2023 season. The data collected will provide insights into the distribution patterns of both nymph and adult SLF within and outside vineyards, enabling growers and researchers to better understand this invasive pest’s potential impact on agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic region. [Read more…]
Fruit Crops Edition
Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
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Tree Fruit IPM Report for 6/3/2023
Peach:
Bacterial Spot: Generally we recommend starting at 0.5 ozs metallic copper and gradually lowering the rate as the season progresses. The rate applied will depend on the formulation. Dr. Lalancette published a chart listing common copper formulations and rates for peach and nectarine applications. Avoid combining copper with captan especially if it has been overcast for several days. Also avoid acidic spray solutions when applying copper. Dr. Lalancette has published a handy guide for copper applications in early covers. Antibiotics such as Mycoshield or Fireline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. Bacterial Spot leaf symptoms began appearing in southern county orchard during the week of 5/8. These infections probably occurred mostly during the heavy rains that occurred on 4/30-5/1. Fruit symptoms from this set of infections have begun to appear in southern counties. So far fruit symptoms are very low and only in highly susceptible varieties.
Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties. All timings for first generation OFM have past.
OFM 2nd Generation Timing | |||
Insecticide Type | |||
County/Region | Degree Days by 6/2 base 45 | Conventional
1450-1500 |
Diamide
1300-1400 |
Gloucester – Southern | 769 | 1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
Middlesex – Northern | 742 | 1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
Plum Curculio; Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Plum Curculio start to move into orchards at about 88-100 degree days base 50 after January 1. Applications for PC should be initiated once all petals are off, with a second application made with ovicidal materials at 379-402 DD. Additional applications with effective materials may be made between 520 and 730 DD base 50. Currently we have accumulated about 619 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 546 DD base 50 in northern counties. Growers can monitor degree day development at their site by finding the nearest weather station and using the degree day development tool at NEWA. Catfacing insects are active, and activity is increasing with dry weather and summer temperatures. Very little recent fruit feeding has been observed.
Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers should be at peak crawler emergence in southern counties. San jose scale crawlers have begun emergence this past week. SJS typically begin emergence about late May or Early June and continue emergence for up to 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicitiniods (suppression only), and the IGR’s Esteem and Centaur. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide and the product labels 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 and Inspire Super 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.
Fire Blight: Fire Blight symptoms began appearing in southern county apple and pear orchards the week of 5/1. Typically it is recommended to cut out infected limbs however this is a practical decision that must be made. This blog post from Michigan State may be helpful to decide whether it is worth cutting out infected tissue. Once the terminal buds set, typically in July, infected wood should be removed to prevent colonization by the bitter rot pathogen.
Codling Moth (CM): The first codling moth flight has started. A biofix was set for CM on April 17th in both northern and southern counties.
Codling Moth Degree Day Timing | ||||||||
Application and Insecticide Type | ||||||||
County Area | Biofix | Rimon:
75-100DD + 14-17 days later
|
Intrepid
150 + 450 DD Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD) |
Cyd-X, Carpovirusine
250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR) |
Standard Insecticides – Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids
250 DD + 550 DD
|
|||
DD | 75 | 100 | 150 | 450 | 250 | 250 | 550 | |
Southern | April 17 | past | past | past | 6/7 | past | 5/21 | 6/13 |
Northern | past | past | past | 6/7 | past | 5/23 | 6/14 |
Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 5/8. Nothing needs to be done for TABM at this point. The first alternate middle applications for TABM will be on or about 6/12 in southern counties. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years. Many materials used for Codling Moth will also control TABM.
Pear: Second generation pear psylla began hatching about 5/15. Options for control include spynosyn products such as Delegate and Entrust, and the neocitinoids (IRAC group 4A). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Other options include Movento, the IGR’s Esteem and Centaur, and products containing abamectin. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions regarding the addition of penetrants for abamectin products. Pear Psylla are still actively laying eggs and nymphs continue to hatch.
Grape: Early blooming native grapes were at 50% bloom on 5/24, therefore we have set the the Grape Berry Moth biofix at 5/24 for southern counties. Typically we would use the bloom date for V. riparia to set the biofix date, however the usual locations we have used in the past did not have viable vines to look at, and it is difficult to scout new locations for V. riparia this year. Since V. riparia typically blooms with early natives we used Concord and Ives to set the biofix. The model works best when growers record their own bloom dates and use the Grape Berry Moth model at NEWA. Applications for GBM using Intrepid or Diamides should be made at 810 DD base 47. Other effective materials can be applied a few days later. Currently we are at 167 DD in southern counties. Applications have been historically made around the end of June in southern counties.
Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties
STLM | TABM-A | CM | BMSB | OFM-A | DWB | OFM-P | TABM-P | LPTB | PTB | |
4/15/2023 | 433 | 20 | 1 | |||||||
4/23/2023 | 423 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 4 | |||||
4/30/2023 | 417 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||||
5/06/2023 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
5/13/2023 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||
5/20/2023 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 13 | 67 | ||
5/27/2023 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 11 | 49 |
Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties
STLM | TABM-A | CM | BMSB | OFM-A | DWB | OFM-P | TABM-P | LPTB | PTB | |
4/8/2023 | 10 | |||||||||
4/15/2023 | 20 | 3 | ||||||||
4/30/2023 | 28 | 11 | 6 | |||||||
5/06/2023 | 22 | 2 | 19 | 9 | ||||||
5/13/2023 | 34 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||||
5/20/2023 | 31 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.
Pest Event or Growth Stage | Approximate Date | 2023 Observed Date |
Bud Swell (Redhaven) | March 23 +/- 15 Days | March 7 |
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious | March 31 +/- 13 Days | March 27 |
Pink Peach (Redhaven) | April 4 +/- 15 Days | March 24 |
Tight Cluster Red Delicious | April 9 +/- 13 Days | April 7 |
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) | April 9 +/- 14 Days | April 4 |
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) | April 14 +/- 12 Days | April 11 |
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) | April 22 +/- 11 Days | April 16 |
Petal Fall (Redhaven) | April 22 +/- 10 Days | April 15 |
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) | April 27 +/- 13 Days | May 3 |
Shuck Split (Redhaven) | April 30 +/- 11 Days | April 21 |
Pit Hardening | June 15 +/- 9 Days |
North Jersey Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting II
North Jersey Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting II
June 7, 2023
4:45 PM – 7:30 PM
Terhune Orchards*
330 Cold Soil Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
*Park in the main lot and meet in the Winery Tasting Room
4:45 PM Registration/ Light Dinner at the Terhune Orchards Tasting Room
The meeting will commence as a walking tour of high tunnel cherries, blueberries, strawberries, apples and asparagus.
5:00 PM Orchard Weed Management
Thierry E. Besançon, Associate Extension Specialist in Weed Science, Rutgers NJAES
5:20 PM Early/Mid-Season Insect Management in Tree Fruit
Anne Nielsen, Associate Extension Specialist in Entomology, Rutgers NJAES
5:40 PM Control of Bacterial Canker in Sweet Cherry and Summer Fungicide Program for Apples
Norm Lalancette, Associate Extension Specialist in Tree Fruit, Rutgers NJAES
6:00 PM Vegetable IPM Program Updates
Kris Holmstrom, Vegetable IPM Program Associate, Rutgers NJAES
6:20 PM Blueberry IPM Program Updates and Spotted Wing Drosophila
Carrie Mansue, Blueberry IPM Sr. Program Coordinator, Rutgers NJAES
6:40 PM Tree Fruit IPM Program Updates
Kaitlin Quinn North Jersey Fruit IPM Program Associate, Rutgers NJAES
7:00 PM Pesticide Safety Updates
Pat Hastings Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator, Rutgers NJAES
The following NJ Pesticide Recertification Credits will be awarded
1 Unit CORE, 4 Units 1A, 4 Units 10, 4 Units PP2
Please RSVP to Kim Crommelin at 908.788.1338 or kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us by June 6, 2023
Managing Blunt-nosed Leafhoppers in Cranberries – 2023
Blunt-nosed leafhoppers (BNLH) are important pests of cranberries in NJ because they vector a phytoplasma that causes false blossom disease. BNLH has one generation a year. It overwinters as eggs, which begin to hatch in early May. The nymphs will go through five instars in about a month. The adults begin to appear by the end of June and are most abundant in mid-July. Numbers of this species start to diminish by the end of July. The adults have a characteristic blunt head and vary from light yellowish-gray to dark brown. Eggs are laid in June-July. Nymphs and adults get their food by sucking the plant juices of the cranberry vines with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. At this time of the year, we are observing early-instar nymphs, mostly 1st instars but also 2nd instars (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Blunt-nosed leafhoppers early-instar nymphs. Photo credit: Paolo Salazar-Mendoza.
Here are some guidelines to consider when managing BNLH in cranberries:
- The most important point in BNLH control is locating the sites of infestation. Monitoring for this insect is accomplished best with an insect sweep net. Nymphs should be monitored before bloom using sweep nets (this time of year). Nymphs before bloom are small (Figure 1); thus, ideally, you may need to freeze the samples (to kill them), and then count the number of nymphs under a microscope or using a magnifying lens.
- To monitor, perform sweep sets of 25 sweeps each. The recommended number of sweep sets is: 1 per 1–10 acres, at least 10 sweep sets per 10–20 acres, and 1 sweep set per 2 acres for more than 20 acres.
- A challenge for managing BNLH is the fact that they vector a phytoplasma that causes false blossom disease. For this reason, it is difficult to establish economic thresholds for this pest because we do not know the proportion of individuals that are infected in the population. Moreover, this proportion can vary depending on the variety. For instance, we have observed higher incidence of infection in the newer varieties even when populations of leafhoppers are low.
- Control measures should be considered based on the number of BNLH relative to previous years, history of insecticide application, and the variety. If BNLH populations are increasing compared to previous years and the beds have not been treated for BNLH for 2-3 years, growers should consider treatment.
- If treatment is necessary, we have a few options to manage BNLH. The best timing for insecticide treatment is before bloom to target the young nymphs. We recommend the use of organophosphates such as Diazinon (diazinon) and Orthene (acephate), carbamates like Sevin (carbaryl), and pyrethroids like Fanfare (bifenthrin) and Danitol (fenpropathrin). Although not proven scientifically, there are claims that Orthene and Sevin can reduce pollinator activity by repelling bees. The neonicotinoids Assail (acetamiprid) and Actara (thiamethoxam) also work well against nymphs, but we do not recommend their use before bloom due to potential negative effects on bees; neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides that can accumulate in the pollen and nectar. Closer (sulfoxaflor) is a new registered insecticide in cranberries with a similar mode of action as the neonicotinoids but that belongs to a different class of insecticides. We have tested Closer in small plot trials at the P.E. Marucci Center and shown that it is effective against BNLH nymphs; however, more data are needed to confirm its efficacy at larger scales in commercial farms.
Tree Fruit IPM Report for May 25, 2023
Peach:
Bacterial Spot: Generally we recommend starting at 0.5 ozs metallic copper and gradually lowering the rate as the season progresses. The rate applied will depend on the formulation. Dr. Lalancette published a chart listing common copper formulations and rates for peach and nectarine applications. Avoid combining copper with captan especially if it has been overcast for several days. Also avoid acidic spray solutions when applying copper. Dr. Lalancette has published a handy guide for copper applications in early covers. Antibiotics such as Mycoshield or Fireline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. Bacterial Spot leaf symptoms have began appearing in southern county orchard during the week of 5/8. These infections probably occurred mostly during the heavy rains that occurred on 4/30-5/1. Fruit symptoms from this set of infections have so far not appeared. This week no significant increase in symptoms was noted.
Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties. All timings for first generation OFM have past.
OFM 2nd Generation Timing | |||
Insecticide Type | |||
County/Region | Degree Days by 5/24 base 45 | Conventional
1450-1500 |
Diamide
1300-1400 |
Gloucester – Southern | 603 | 1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
Middlesex – Northern | 578 | 1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
1st –too far off
2nd – too far off |
Plum Curculio; Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Plum Curculio start to move into orchards at about 88-100 degree days base 50 after January 1. Applications for PC should be initiated once all petals are off, with a second application made with ovicidal materials at 379-402 DD. Additional applications with effective materials may be made between 520 and 730 DD base 50. Currently we have accumulated about 498 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 426 DD base 50 in northern counties. Growers can monitor degree day development at their site by finding the nearest weather station and using the degree day development tool at NEWA. Catfacing insects are active, but will become more of an issue as temperatures warm and mowing and other ground cover activities become more common.
Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers have begun emergence in southern counties and will continue emergence for the next few weeks. San jose scale crawlers typically begin emergence about late May or Early June and continue emergence for up to 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicitiniods (suppression only), and the IGR’s Esteem and Centaur. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide and the product labels for more information.
Apples and Pears:
Diseases: Now that primary scab is nearing the end, or 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 and Inspire Super 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.
Fire Blight: Infections can still occur post bloom so covers with antibiotics when infection events are forecast using the NEWA fire blight model may be beneficial. Remember to rotate streptomycin and oxytetracycline products. Fire Blight symptoms began appearing in southern county apple and pear orchards the week of 5/1. Typically it is recommended to cut out infected limbs however this is a practical decision that must be made. This blog post from Michigan State may be helpful to decide whether it is worth cutting out infected tissue.
Codling Moth (CM): The first codling moth flight has started. A biofix was set for CM on April 17th in both northern and southern counties.
Codling Moth Degree Day Timing | ||||||||
Application and Insecticide Type | ||||||||
County Area | Biofix | Rimon:
75-100DD + 14-17 days later
|
Intrepid
150 + 450 DD Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD) |
Cyd-X, Carpovirusine
250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR) |
Standard Insecticides – Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids
250 DD + 550 DD
|
|||
DD | 75 | 100 | 150 | 450 | 250 | 250 | 550 | |
Southern | April 17 | past | past | past | 6/4 | 5/21 | 5/21 | 6/7 |
Northern | past | past | past | 6/6 | 5/23 | 5/23 | 6/11 |
Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 5/8. Nothing needs to be done for TABM at this point. The first alternate middle applications for TABM will be on or about 6/3 in southern counties. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years. Many materials used for Codling Moth will also control TABM.
Pear: Second generation pear psylla began hatching about 5/15. Options for control include spynosyn products such as Delegate and Entrust, and the neocitinoids (IRAC group 4A). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Other options include Movento, and products containing abamectin. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions regarding the addition of penetrants for these products.
Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties
STLM | TABM-A | CM | BMSB | OFM-A | DWB | OFM-P | TABM-P | LPTB | PTB | |
4/15/2023 | 433 | 20 | 1 | |||||||
4/23/2023 | 423 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 4 | |||||
4/30/2023 | 417 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||||
5/06/2023 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
5/13/2023 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||
5/20/2023 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 13 | 67 |
Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties
STLM | TABM-A | CM | BMSB | OFM-A | DWB | OFM-P | TABM-P | LPTB | PTB | |
4/8/2023 | 10 | |||||||||
4/15/2023 | 20 | 3 | ||||||||
4/30/2023 | 28 | 11 | 6 | |||||||
5/06/2023 | 22 | 2 | 19 | 9 | ||||||
5/13/2023 | 34 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||||
5/20/2023 | 31 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.
Pest Event or Growth Stage | Approximate Date | 2023 Observed Date |
Bud Swell (Redhaven) | March 23 +/- 15 Days | March 7 |
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious | March 31 +/- 13 Days | March 27 |
Pink Peach (Redhaven) | April 4 +/- 15 Days | March 24 |
Tight Cluster Red Delicious | April 9 +/- 13 Days | April 7 |
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) | April 9 +/- 14 Days | April 4 |
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) | April 14 +/- 12 Days | April 11 |
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) | April 22 +/- 11 Days | April 16 |
Petal Fall (Redhaven) | April 22 +/- 10 Days | April 15 |
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) | April 27 +/- 13 Days | May 3 |
Shuck Split (Redhaven) | April 30 +/- 11 Days | April 21 |
Pit Hardening | June 15 +/- 9 Days |
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Changes to Audit Costs
USDA has just announced that proposed audit fees for the Harmonized and GAP/GHP audits will increase to $155 per hour. The average Harmonized Audit runs anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, GAP/GHP audits average 5 to 10 hours. The current fee is $132 per hour. For anyone who needs an audit try to schedule before October 1, 2023 when the new rates take effect. For further information or discuss the proposed increases contact: Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, AMS, USDA, Room 2036–S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 205–9356, or email melissa.bailey@usda.gov.