Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Copper formulations should be used starting at petal fall to suppress 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 containing oxytetracycline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. We have not seen any bacterial spot symptoms as of this writing except for one location in a northern county. We are nearing pit hardening which usually occurs mid-June. Once fruit gets to this stage it develops some resistance to bacterial spot. Infections may still occur but will be less severe.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  All Treatments for the first generation have past.

OFM 2nd Generation Timing
		Insecticide Type
County/Region	Degree Days by  6/4 base 45	Conventional 1150-1200 1450-1500	Intrepid/Rimon 1050-1150 1300-1400	Diamides/Virus 1075-1150 1375-1450
Gloucester – Southern	978	1st –June 11-15 2nd – too far off	1st –June 7-10 2nd – too far off	1st –June 8-10 2nd – too far off
Middlesex – Northern	867	1st – June 16-18 2nd – too far off	1st – June 12-16 2nd – too far off	1st – June 13-16 2nd – too far off

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: 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 began emergence around mid-May in southern counties and p. San jose scale crawlers began emergence around May 25 and will 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.

Thrips: If the current dry spell continues Flower Thrips may become an issue in highly colored ripening fruit, especially in poorly managed ground covers that contain clover or other flowering weeds. Thrips damage appears as “silvering” and usually appears on fruit close to harvest. If populations are high damage can be extensive. Presence of thrips may be scouted for using a beating tray to detect the presence of adults and nymphs in the tree. Flowering weeeds and shrubs on orchard edges may also be scouted by shaking flowers onto a beating tray or a sheet of paper. Delegate or Entrust at the highest labeled rate are the usual recommended materials for thrips in stone fruit. Lannate may be effective in some orchards but has not worked well in recent years. These materials all have short PHI’s and may be applied close to harvest when damage typically appears. Thrips have also been observed to mark cherries. Damage is different than peach and appears as a dark streak in a similar pattern as silvering. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information. Thrips have been seen in southern counties during scouting this past week.

 

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, Inspire Super, and Aprovia may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as omega, 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. Scab symptoms are appearing in some orchards statewide.

Fire Blight: Fire Blight symptoms began appearing in southern county apple and pear orchards the week of 5/20, and in northern counties the week of 5/13. 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: A Codling Moth Biofix was set in southern counties on 4/22 and on May 1 in northern counties. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. Where Mating Disruption has been employed, supplemental Madex applications should be made at the timings listed below.

	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)		Madex 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 22	past	past	past	past	past	past	June 3
Northern	May 1	past	past	past	6/2	past	past	June 7

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 4/30. The first alternate middle applications for TABM will be on or about 5/24 in southern counties. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years. Many materials used for Codling Moth will also control TABM.

Ambrosia Beetle : Infested trees are showing signs of stress. If you have had a history of this pest in your orchard, now is a good time remove and burn any trees that have been attacked as the flight appears to be declining or is over.

Wooly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): GAA colonies are beginning to appear in some apple blocks. GAA is generally a pest that can be tolerated since they do little direct damage. Treatment thresholds for GAA are if 50% of the shoots are infested with no beneficial insects present. WAA aerial colonies are also beginning to form in southern counties. This is about a month earlier than usually observed. In most years these are controlled by beneficials however in some years like 2022, serious outbreaks can occur. The best control for WAA is Movento applied before or when the first colonies appear. Diazinon is also effective at knocking down infestations. Movento will also control GAA and should control san jose scale when applied in mid-May, and suppress scale when applied in late May or early June.  Do not combine diazinon, oil, or oil based penetrants with Captan.

Potato Leafhoppers (PLH): PLH adults began appearing in apples this past week. PLH should not be tolerated in non-bearing orchards because they can stunt the growth of new shoots. Likewise they should not be tolerated in orchards were fire blight is present because they have been demonstrated to spread the disease. PLH appear as light green smallish leafhoppers and are often found on the new leaves in the growing tips. Neonicitiods are generally recommended for control however there are other broad spectrum materials that are effective. Refer to the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

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 and movento. Pear Psylla are still actively laying eggs and nymphs continue to hatch.

Grape: Early blooming native grapes were at trace bloom on 5/24, therefore we have set the the Grape Berry Moth biofix at 5/24 for southern counties. 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. Applications have been historically made around the end of June in southern counties.

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage	Approximate Date	2024 Observed Date
Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)	March 23 +/- 15 Days	March 13
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious	March 31 +/- 13 Days	March 18
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 4 +/- 15 Days	March 18
Tight Cluster Red Delicious	April 9 +/- 13 Days	March 30
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 9 +/- 14 Days	April 5
Pink Apple (Red Delicious)	April 14 +/- 12 Days	April 9
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious)	April 22 +/- 11 Days	April 20
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 22
Pit Hardening	June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

 

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM	BMSB	OFM-A	DWB		OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB
3/23/2024	70							0
3/30/2024	29				0			0
4/6/2024	421				0			0
4/13/2024	415				7			1
4/20/2024	900				7			0
4/27/2024	312		2		22			1
5/4/2024	137	2	8		27		1	5
5/11/2024	6	2	15		2		1	10	42
5/18/2024	5	6	11		2	6	0	12	41
5/25/2014	33	29	7		4	25	0	44	37
6/1/2024	719	12	12		1	1	0	44	57

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM	BMSB	OFM-A	DWB	OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB	AMBROSIA BEETLE
3/23/2024
3/30/2024
4/6/2024							0				0
4/13/2024							3.25				37.6
4/20/2024							11.75				93
4/27/2024			0				19				50
5/4/2024			1		16		19				124
5/11/2024			3		4		18				112
5/18/2024		4	2		1	2	2		2		83
5/25/2024		7	5		0	16	8		23		55
6/1/2024		16	7		0	28	7		21		37

Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Copper formulations should be used starting at petal fall to suppress 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 containing oxytetracycline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. We have not seen any bacterial spot symptoms as of this writing except for one location in a northern county. We are nearing pit hardening which usually occurs mid-June. Once fruit gets to this stage it develops some resitanceto bacterial spot. Infections may still occur but will be less severe.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  All Treatments for the first generation have past.

OFM 2nd Generation Timing
		Insecticide Type
County/Region	Degree Days by  5/29 base 45	Conventional 1150-1200 1450-1500	Intrepid/Rimon 1050-1150 1300-1400	Diamides/Virus 1075-1150 1375-1450
Gloucester – Southern	833	1st –June 13-16 2nd – too far off	1st –June 9-13 2nd – too far off	1st –June 10-13 2nd – too far off
Middlesex – Northern	731	1st –too far off 2nd – too far off	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. Currently we have accumulated about 661 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 552 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. PC and Catfacing insects are active now and can cause injury.

Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers began emergence around mid-May in southern counties and 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, Inspire Super, and Aprovia may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as omega, 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 5/20, and in northern counties the week of 5/13. 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: A Codling Moth Biofix was set in southern counties on 4/22 and on May 1 in northern counties. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. Where Mating Disruption has been employed, supplemental Madex applications should be made at the timings listed below.

	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)		Madex 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 22	past	past	past	5/30	May 17	May 17	June 5
Northern	May 1	past	past	past	6/2	May 23	May 23	June 7

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 4/30. The first alternate middle applications for TABM will be on or about 5/24 in southern counties. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years. Many materials used for Codling Moth will also control TABM.

Scale Insects: Dormant oil applications are standard recommendations for scale control but in some years when conditions are not optimal for oil application scale control may be less than desired. Where oil was not applied or in orchards where scale is a recurring problem, an application of Centaur at petal fall or Movento between petal fall and first cover should “clean up” problem blocks. Centaur is recommended at 34.5 ozs./ac and Movento should be applied at 6-9 ozs./ac. A penetrant must be included to Movento as per the product label. Movento will also control apple aphids, including Wooly Aphid, when used at this timing. In pears Movento may also control aphids and 2nd generation pear psylla (if eggs are present) when applied at first cover.

Ambrosia Beetle : Infested trees are showing signs of stress. If you have had a history of this pest in your orchard, you should begin scouting for damage and remove any trees that have been attacked. It may be beneficial to leave attacked trees in the orchard for a few weeks before removal so they can act as trap trees to reduce populations. Beetles generally do not leave the host tree once they’ve attacked it. They will attract other beetles to the stressed tree and adjacent trees so they tend to stay in one area rather than spread throughout the orchard. Recently infested trees were taken to Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Clinic and the species attacking the trees was identified as Granulate Ambrosia Beetle, one of two ambrosia beetle species known to attack orchard fruit trees in NJ, the other being Black Stem Borer.

Wooly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): GAA colonies are beginning to appear in some apple blocks. GAA is generally a pest that can be tolerated since they do little direct damage. Treatment thresholds for GAA are if 50% of the shoots are infested with no beneficial insects present. WAA aerial colonies are also beginning to form in southern counties. This is about a month earlier than usually observed. In most years these are controlled by beneficials however in some years like 2022, serious outbreaks can occur. The best control for WAA is Movento applied before or when the first colonies appear. Diazinon is also effective at knocking down infestations. Movento will also control GAA and should control san jose scale when applied in mid-May, and suppress scale when applied in late May or early June.  Do not combine Diazinon with Captan.

Potato Leafhoppers (PLH): PLH adults began appearing in apples this past week. PLH should not be tolerated in non-bearing orchards because they can stunt the growth of new shoots. Likewise they should not be tolerated in orchards were fire blight is present because they have been demonstrated to spread the disease. PLH appear as light green smallish leafhoppers and are often found on the new leaves in the growing tips. Neonicitiods are generally recommended for control however there are other braod spectrum materials that are effective. Refer to the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

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 trace bloom on 5/24, therefore we have set the the Grape Berry Moth biofix at 5/24 for southern counties. 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 420 DD in southern counties. Applications have been historically made around the end of June in southern counties.

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage	Approximate Date	2024 Observed Date
Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)	March 23 +/- 15 Days	March 13
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious	March 31 +/- 13 Days	March 18
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 4 +/- 15 Days	March 18
Tight Cluster Red Delicious	April 9 +/- 13 Days	March 30
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 9 +/- 14 Days	April 5
Pink Apple (Red Delicious)	April 14 +/- 12 Days	April 9
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious)	April 22 +/- 11 Days	April 20
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 22
Pit Hardening	June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

 

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM	BMSB	OFM-A	DWB		OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB
3/23/2024	70							0
3/30/2024	29				0			0
4/6/2024	421				0			0
4/13/2024	415				7			1
4/20/2024	900				7			0
4/27/2024	312		2		22			1
5/4/2024	137	2	8		27		1	5
5/11/2024	6	2	15		2		1	10	42
5/18/2024	5	6	11		2	6	0	12	41
5/24/2014	33	29	7		4	25	0	44	37

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM		BMSB		OFM-A	DWB	OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB	AMBROSIA BEETLE
3/23/2024
3/30/2024
4/6/2024									0				0
4/13/2024									3.25				37.6
4/20/2024									11.75				93
4/27/2024				0					19				50
5/4/2024				1			16		19				124
5/11/2024				3			4		18				112
5/18/2024		4		2			1	2	2		2		83
5/24/2024		7		5			0	16	8		23		55

Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Copper formulations should be used starting at petal fall to suppress 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 containing oxytetracycline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. We have not seen any bacterial spot symptoms as of this writing except for one location in a northern county.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  All Treatments for the first generation have past.

OFM 1st Generation Timing
		Insecticide Type
County/Region	Degree Days by  5/7 base 45	Conventional 170-200, 350-375	Diamide 100-150, 300-350
Gloucester – Southern	487	1st –past 2nd – past	1st –past 2nd –past
Middlesex – Northern	393	1st –past 2nd –past	1st – past 2nd –past

Green Peach Aphid: GPA colonies begin forming sometime during bloom. Examine trees for the presence of colonies from pink to shuck split. Count the number of colonies on ten trees and use a treatment threshold of 2 colonies/tree at petal fall for peach, and 1 colony/tree for nectarine. The best way to scout for aphids during bloom is with a beating tray. Blossoms may also be collected, opened, and examined for the presence of aphids using a hand lens. This is particularly important for nectarine blocks. Check 10 trees per block with the beating tray. Collect 50 blossoms per block and examine for the presence of aphids. If more than 1 colony of aphids are found in nectarines, or 2-3 colonies are found in peaches, an insecticide for aphids will be needed when all petals are off. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. The first aphid colonies curling leaves was noted in southern counties the week of 4/22.

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. Currently we have accumulated about 390 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 289 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. PC and Catfacing insects are active now and can cause injury.

Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers have not yet emerged but usually begin emergence about the third week of May and continue emergence until about the middle of June. 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.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: Growers using mating disruption for borer control can begin placing dispensers around the end of April and should have them in place by mid-May.

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, Inspire Super, and Aprovia may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as omega, 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. Scab Symptoms are now visible in some orchards statewide.

Codling Moth: A Codling Moth Biofix was set in southern counties on 4/22 and on May 1 in northern counties. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. Where Mating Disruption has been employed, supplemental Madex applications should be made at the timings listed below.

	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)		Madex 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 22	past	past	past	Too far off	May 17	May 17	Too far off
Northern	May 1	past	past	5/17	Too far off	May 26	May 26	Too far off

Scale Insects: Dormant oil applications are standard recommendations for scale control but in some years when conditions are not optimal for oil application scale control may be less than desired. Where oil was not applied or in orchards where scale is a recurring problem, an application of Centaur at petal fall or Movento between petal fall and first cover should “clean up” problem blocks. Centaur is recommended at 34.5 ozs./ac and Movento should be applied at 6-9 ozs./ac. A penetrant must be included to Movento as per the product label. Movento will also control apple aphids, including Wooly Aphid, when used at this timing. In pears Movento may also control aphids and 2nd generation pear psylla (if eggs are present) when applied at first cover.

Rosy Apple Aphid:  If a pre-bloom application was not made, monitor for colonies during bloom and use a treatment threshold of 1 colony/tree at petal fall. Rosy aphid colonies were noted in a few southern county orchards last week.

Wooly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): GAA colonies are beginning to appear in some apple blocks. GAA is generally a pest that can be tolerated since they do little direct damage. Treatment thresholds for GAA are if 50% of the shoots are infested with no beneficial insects present. WAA aerial colonies are also beginning to form in southern counties. This is about a month earlier than usually observed. In most years these are controlled by beneficials however in some years like 2022, serious outbreaks can occur. The best control for WAA is Movento applied before or when the first colonies appear. Diazinon is also effective at knocking down infestations. Movento will also control GAA and should control san jose scale when applied in mid-May, and suppress scale when applied in late May or early June.  Do not combine Diazinon with Captan.

Ambrosia Beetle : Trap captures are beginning to drop off and may be signaling the end of the first flight. The second flight may begin very soon. Infested trees should be showing signs of stress or will be soon. Once these beetles bore into the trunk, they will form a gallery in the heartwood of the tree to lay their eggs and farm the ambrosia fungus to feed themselves and their larvae. Once the female lays her eggs, it will take about 30 days for them to become adults and emerge from their host tree to begin the second flight. If you have had a history of this pest in your orchard, you should begin scouting for damage and remove any trees that have been attacked. It may be beneficial to leave attacked trees in the orchard for a few weeks before removal so they can act as trap trees to reduce populations. Beetles generally do not leave the host tree once they’ve attacked it. They will attract other beetles to the stressed tree and adjacent trees so they tend to stay in one area rather than spread throughout the orchard.

Pear Psylla:  Second generation pear psylla adults are present and layong eggs in southern counties. Hatch will begin in about a week to 10 days. 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. If planning to use Movento for the second generation it should be applied just before hatch or as soon as newly hatched nymphs appear as it takes about a week for the material to move throughout the tree. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions regarding the addition of penetrants for these products.

 Grapes Grapes: The most important diseases to manage at this time are Phomopsis, black rot, and powdery mildew. At 3″ growth start managing for Black Rot. More information about early season disease control can be found in this blogpost from Virginia Tech. SLF have started hatching in southern counties and will continue to hatch over the next few weeks.

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage	Approximate Date	2024 Observed Date
Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)	March 23 +/- 15 Days	March 13
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious	March 31 +/- 13 Days	March 18
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 4 +/- 15 Days	March 18
Tight Cluster Red Delicious	April 9 +/- 13 Days	March 30
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 9 +/- 14 Days	April 5
Pink Apple (Red Delicious)	April 14 +/- 12 Days	April 9
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious)	April 22 +/- 11 Days	April 20
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 22
Pit Hardening	June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

 

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM	BMSB	OFM-A	DWB		OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB
3/23/2024	70							0
3/30/2024	29				0			0
4/6/2024	421				0			0
4/13/2024	415				7			1
4/20/2024	900				7			0
4/27/2024	312		2		22			1
5/4/2024	137	2	8		27		1	5
5/11/2024	6	2	15		2		1	10	42		6

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM		BMSB		OFM-A	DWB	OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB	AMBROSIA BEETLE
3/23/2024
3/30/2024
4/6/2024									0				0
4/13/2024									3.25				37.6
4/20/2024									11.75				93
4/27/2024				0					19				50
5/4/2024				1			16		19				124
5/11/2024				3			4		18				112

Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Copper formulations should be used starting at petal fall to suppress 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 containing oxytetracycline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. We have not seen any bacterial spot symptoms as of this writing except for one location in a northern county.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  The first of two insecticide timings for first generation Oriental Fruit Moth control fall at 170-200 degree days base 45 after biofix. This timing generally coincides with 100% petal fall in peaches. Timings are updated below: Note that timings have been pushed back from last week due to cooler than forecast weather. Do not apply insecticides until all bloom is off. No Insecticides for OFM are needed where Mating Disruption is implemented.

OFM 1st Generation Timing
		Insecticide Type
County/Region	Degree Days by  5/7 base 45	Conventional 170-200, 350-375	Diamide 100-150, 300-350
Gloucester – Southern	393	1st –past 2nd – 5/5-5/6	1st –past 2nd –past
Middlesex – Northern	309	1st –past 2nd –5/9-5/11	1st – past 2nd –5/7-5/9

Green Peach Aphid: GPA colonies begin forming sometime during bloom. Examine trees for the presence of colonies from pink to shuck split. Count the number of colonies on ten trees and use a treatment threshold of 2 colonies/tree at petal fall for peach, and 1 colony/tree for nectarine. The best way to scout for aphids during bloom is with a beating tray. Blossoms may also be collected, opened, and examined for the presence of aphids using a hand lens. This is particularly important for nectarine blocks. Check 10 trees per block with the beating tray. Collect 50 blossoms per block and examine for the presence of aphids. If more than 1 colony of aphids are found in nectarines, or 2-3 colonies are found in peaches, an insecticide for aphids will be needed when all petals are off. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. The first aphid colonies curling leaves was noted in southern counties the week of 4/22.

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. Currently we have accumulated about 331 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 237 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 now and can cause injury.

Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers have not yet emerged but usually begin emergence about the third week of May and continue emergence until about the middle of June. 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.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: Growers using mating disruption for borer control can begin placing dispensers around the end of April and should have them in place by mid-May.

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, Inspire Super, and Aprovia may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as omega, 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. If symptoms appear, it is generally 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: A Codling Moth Biofix was set in Southern counties on 4/22. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. Where Mating Disruption has been employed, supplemental Madex applications should be made at the timings listed below.

	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)		Madex 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 22	past	past	5/8	Too far off	May 14	May 14	Too far off
Northern	May 1	5/7	5/9	5/14	Too far off	Too far off	Too far off	Too far off

Scale Insects: Dormant oil applications are standard recommendations for scale control but in some years when conditions are not optimal for oil application scale control may be less than desired. Where oil was not applied or in orchards where scale is a recurring problem, an application of Centaur at petal fall or Movento between petal fall and first cover should “clean up” problem blocks. Centaur is recommended at 34.5 ozs./ac and Movento should be applied at 6-9 ozs./ac. A penetrant must be included to Movento as per the product label. Movento will also control apple aphids, including Wooly Aphid, when used at this timing. In pears Movento may also control aphids and 2nd generation pear psylla (if eggs or recently hatched nymphs are present).

Rosy Apple Aphid:  If a pre-bloom application was not made, monitor for colonies during bloom and use a treatment threshold of 1 colony/tree at petal fall. Rosy aphid colonies were noted in a few southern county orchards last week.

Wooly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): GAA colonies are beginning to appear in some apple blocks. GAA is generally a pest that can be tolerated since they do little direct damage. Treatment thresholds for GAA are if 50% of the shoots are infested with no beneficial insects present. WAA aerial colonies are also beginning to form in southern counties. This is about a month earlier than usually observed. In most years these are controlled by beneficials however in some years like 2022, serious outbreaks can occur. The best control for WAA is Movento applied before or when the first colonies appear. Diazinon is also effective at knocking down infestations. Movento will also control GAA and should control san jose scale when applied in mid-May, and suppress scale when applied in late May or early June.  Do not combine Diazinon with Captan.

Ambrosia Beetle : Trap captures continue at precious week’s levels. Infested trees should be showing signs of stress or will be soon. Once these beetles bore into the trunk, they will form a gallery in the heartwood of the tree to lay their eggs and farm the ambrosia fungus to feed themselves and their larvae. Once the female lays her eggs, it will take about 30 days for them to become adults and emerge from their host tree to begin the second flight. If you have had a history of this pest in your orchard, you should begin scouting for damage and remove any trees that have been attacked. It may be beneficial to leave attacked trees in the orchard for a few weeks before removal so they can act as trap trees to reduce populations. Beetles generally do not leave the host tree once they’ve attacked it. They will attract other beetles to the stressed tree and adjacent trees so they tend to stay in one area rather than spread throughout the orchard.

Pear Psylla:  Second generation pear psylla have not appeared yet, but usually begin hatching mid-late May. 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.

 Grapes Grapes: The most important diseases to manage at this time are Phomopsis and Powdery Mildew. At 3″ growth start managing for Black Rot. More information about early season disease control can be found in this blogpost from Virginia Tech. SLF have started hatching in southern counties and will continue to hatch over the next few weeks. There is no need to control SLF at this time.

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage	Approximate Date	2024 Observed Date
Bud Swell (Redhaven/PF-17)	March 23 +/- 15 Days	March 13
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious	March 31 +/- 13 Days	March 18
Pink Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 4 +/- 15 Days	March 18
Tight Cluster Red Delicious	April 9 +/- 13 Days	March 30
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven/PF-17)	April 9 +/- 14 Days	April 5
Pink Apple (Red Delicious)	April 14 +/- 12 Days	April 9
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious)	April 22 +/- 11 Days	April 20
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 22
Pit Hardening	June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

 

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM	BMSB	OFM-A	DWB		OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB
3/23/2024	70							0
3/30/2024	29				0			0
4/6/2024	421				0			0
4/13/2024	415				7			1
4/20/2024	900				7			0
4/27/2024	312		2		22			1
5/4/2024	137	2	8		27		1	5

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

	STLM	TABM-A	CM		BMSB		OFM-A	DWB	OFM-P	TABM-P	LPTB	PTB	AMBROSIA BEETLE
3/23/2024
3/30/2024
4/6/2024									0				0
4/13/2024									3.25				37.6
4/20/2024									11.75				93
4/27/2024				0					19				50
5/4/2024				1			16		19				124