Fruit Crops Edition - Cranberry Section

Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
 
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Sparganothis Fruitworm Degree-Day Update: as of June 21, 2016

Based on our degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm, flight initiation was predicted around 595

Life history benchmarks for Sparganothis fruitworm and associated degree-day estimates (credit: Elissa Chasen and Shawn Steffan, USDA-ARS and UW Entomology).

Life history benchmarks for Sparganothis fruitworm and associated degree-day estimates (credit: Elissa Chasen and Shawn Steffan, USDA-ARS and UW Entomology).

DD, and indeed, Sparganothis flight begun in Chatsworth, NJ, the week of June 6. As of June 21, Sparganothis has accumulated 839 DD. Based on the DD model, Sparganothis peak flight is predicted by the end of this week (884 DD). Although moths should have begun laying eggs, these eggs should not be hatching until early next week (895 DD). Reminder that a single insecticide application, i.e., post-bloom application with Delegate, Altacor, Diazinon, or Intrepid, aimed at Sparganothis larvae will likely have the greatest effect if it is timed for peak egg-hatch/larval-emergence, which is approximately 1,400 DD. I will keep you updated on these predictions as the season progresses.

Sparganothis fruitworm Adult

Sparganothis fruitworm Adult

Bee Safety Should Come First

There are several actions that growers can implement in their farms to help protect bees against exposure to pesticides. Here I list a few:

  • Use insecticides only when needed. Cranberries growers are very proactive and practice integrated pest management (IPM). Using insecticides only when pest populations exceed an economic threshold will help reduce exposure of bees to these chemicals.
  • Always consult with beekeepers. Growers need to communicate with their beekeepers on any insecticides being use during bloom.
  • Avoid tank mixes. In particular, do not mix insecticides with fungicides. At this moment, the interactive effects of insecticides and fungicides on bees are largely unknown, particularly those used in cranberries. Future research is much needed. But, in the meantime, growers are encouraged to avoid mixing pesticides.
  • Intrepid (methoxyfenozide) is an insecticide recommended for use during bloom in cranberries against lepidopteran pests. This insecticide, an insect growth regulator (IGR), has very low toxicity on bees and, as far as I know, there is no conclusive data showing the opposite. As indicated above, Intrepid should be used only if needed, i.e., applied only to areas that exceed an economic threshold.
  • It is worth noting that not all IGRs are equal and some IGRs like Intrepid have not been linked to any adverse effects on bees.

Cranberry Pests During Bloom, With Attention to Sparganothis fruitworm

Cranberry beds are in bloom.  If insects have been effectively managed prior to bloom, we recommend no sprays at this time.  A reminder: when bees are present your only choices of insecticides are insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as Intrepid 2F or Bt products such as DiPel.

During bloom we recommend monitoring insect populations using pheromone traps.  Pheromone traps should be used particularly to monitor activity of Sparganothis fruitworm and blackheaded fireworm, two key pests in New Jersey.

Sparganothis fruitworm– Adult flight started a few weeks ago and we should be at peak flight activity.  Damage by the second generation larvae begins after the eggs hatch, usually 9-12 days after they are laid.  These larvae will feed on foliage and fruit.  Larvae will partially feed on berries, causes scoring of the fruit.  However, particularly on Ben Lear, larvae may feed inside the fruit.  Insecticide treatment should target small larvae.  Pheromone traps can be utilized to time insecticides sprays.  If treatment is required, sprays should be applied two weeks after peak moth flight and/or earlier if using an IGR.  If trap counts indicate a low population that requires management, a single insecticide application may be made post-bloom. If trap counts are high, then an early application of an IGR may be used when the first eggs start to hatch, i.e., at this time of the year. This would be followed by a second application soon after bloom. Your post-bloom options are Diazinon, Altacor, Delegate, or Intrepid.

As indicated above, controlling fruitworm populations is often very difficult and many require multiple applications depending on pest pressure.  Sparganothis fruitworm populations in Massachusetts are resistant to organophosphate insecticides (e.g. Diazinon, Lorsban).  Thus, organophosphates should be used with care, i.e., always rotate insecticides with different modes of action.  Organophosphate insecticides will also negatively affect natural enemy populations.  Delegate and Altacor are new insecticides registered against fruitworms and can be used as an alternative to organophosphates post-bloom.

Degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm

The figure details life history benchmarks of interest for Sparganothis fruitworm and associated degree-day estimates from March 1 (credit:

Life history benchmarks for Sparganothis fruitworm and associated degree-day estimates (credit: Elissa Chasen and Shawn Steffan, USDA-ARS and UW Entomology).

Life history benchmarks for Sparganothis fruitworm and associated degree-day estimates (credit: Elissa Chasen and Shawn Steffan, USDA-ARS and UW Entomology).

Elissa Chasen and Shawn Steffan, USDA-ARS and UW Entomology). Flight initiation is predicted around 595 DD, at a lower temperature threshold of 50 °F. Based on this model Sparganothis fight was initiated in our region (Chatsworth, NJ) around June 9 (last week). So far, we have accumulated (starting April 15) 698 DD, which means that egg laying has started (depending on the DD accumulations specific to your farm); however, eggs are not expected to hatch until later this month. Also, a reminder that a single insecticide application aimed at Sparganothis larvae will likely have the greatest effect if it is timed between the beginning and the peak egg-hatch/larval-emergence, which is approximately 895-1,400 DD. I will keep you updated on these DD predictions as the season progresses.

Insect Pests to Look For in Cranberry Bogs: Early Season

The following insect pests bear special mention for early-season scouting in cranberry bogs:

Blackheaded fireworm – Blackheaded fireworm eggs overwinter on the bed and usually hatch by around mid-May. It is important to catch the first generation, if possible, because the second generation occurs during bloom and is typically much more destructive. Blackheaded fireworm larvae can be detected by sweep net sampling and it is a good idea to look along the edges of beds where vines first begin to grow. Remember: blackheaded fireworm is much easier to control if detected during the early part of the season.

Blackheaded fireworm Larva (Photo by D. Schiffhauer)

Blackheaded fireworm Larva (Photo by D. Schiffhauer)

Blackheaded fireworm Adult (Photo by D. Schiffhauer)

Blackheaded fireworm Adult (Photo by D. Schiffhauer)

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Food Safety Modernization Act Update:
Farm Definition & Exemptions

FDA FSMAThe Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food final rule was published in the Federal Registry September 17, 2015. This is the first of two which may directly impact fruit and vegetable growers. To review the complete rule go to https://federalregister.gov/2015-21920.

This rule updates good manufacturing practices related to processing and clarifies the farm definition and exemptions. Under the original proposed rule there were several activities on farms in our region that would have had to comply with this rule. However, with the revised definition most activities are exempt or fall under the Produce Rule which will be published at the end of October.

Under the final definition there are two ways to be considered as a farm: as a “Primary Production Farm” or as a “Secondary Activities Farm.”
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Alert: Disaster Preparedness for Production Agriculture

Governor Chris Christie today declared a state of emergency throughout the state as a result of severe weather conditions expected in the coming days. The National Weather Service is forecasting a dangerous nor’easter weather pattern impacting New Jersey beginning on October 1, 2015, including high winds, very heavy rain, inland river flooding, as well as major coastal flooding with heavy surf and beach erosion. The National Hurricane Center currently has forecasted the track for the impending weather event Joaquin, now a major hurricane, showing it moving northward off the mid-Atlantic coast late on or about October 4, 2015, which may cause significant flooding, dangerous storm surges between eight and ten feet, substantial wind damage, and stream and river flooding threatening homes and other structures, and endangering lives in the State.

Office of the Governor

ReadyAG Can Help Plan and Prepare

ReadyAG Workbook
ReadyAGJust as we’ve finished National Preparedness Month, Governor Christie has declared a state of emergency. In case Hurricane Joaquin takes a turn toward the Jersey Shore this weekend, there are many resources and tools to help get your families and homes prepared. Make sure your farm business is ready too.
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