• Bitter rot symptoms observed in southern and northern counties.
• Hot, humid weather will increase the risk of fruit rots, including white rot, bitter rot, black rot, sooty blotch, and flyspeck.
• Cultural control practices will help to minimize impact from disease in orchards: prune for improved air circulation, thin fruit clusters to reduce humidity and inoculum buildup, and cut out cankers that serve as inoculum sources.
• Broad-spectrum fungicides, such as captan and ziram, are effective. Captan alone may not adequately suppress severe summer disease pressure.
• Adding single-site products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia may improve control. The addition of phosphonate products such as ProPhyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control of rots and other summer diseases, including sooty blotch and flyspeck. It may help suppress scab infections when present.
• Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water. The recommendation is to cut back to last year’s growth, at least 12” back into healthy tissue, and to sterilize pruners between cuttings.
• Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram before rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first, to reduce the spread of foliar diseases, including Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot. Foliar diseases can contribute to inoculum build-up in the orchard and significant defoliation of the canopy if left untreated.
• Rainy seasons require tighter fungicide intervals to maintain coverage. Consider refreshing fungicide protection before major rain events.

Codling Moth (CM): On average, trap counts remain low in orchards across the state, with some numbers increasing at a few sites. Second-generation timings are updated below. Consider management if >5 moths are caught per trap or if fruit injury is observed (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Codling moth injury and larva in developing fruit.

Scale: Crawler emergence continues, and injury has been observed on fruit in some orchards (Figure 2).

Figure 2. San Jose scale crawlers on apple.

Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids (suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur. See also the scale discussion under the peach section.

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Populations continue to build in some orchards statewide, but on average remain below treatment levels. A treatment threshold is set at 50% of the terminals infested with live colonies. Predation by lady beetles and other predators and parasitoids has been observed and can help to maintain pest populations below damaging thresholds. Scout in known hotspots for WAA colonies now. Minimize use of pyrethroids to manage insect pests, including Brigade and Mustang Max, which can flare pest populations and knock down beneficial organisms and predators. Movento will control WAA and GAA and can suppress scale when crawlers are active. Research from Dr. Monique Rivera at Cornell University has demonstrated good control from Sefina for WAA and can be considered instead of late Movento applications.

Figure 3. Potato leafhopper injury in new apple shoots.

Potato leafhopper (PLH): Adults and nymphs are present and increasing in apple orchards throughout the state. Feeding damage from PLH results in “hopperburn” symptoms, which include browning & necrosis along leaf margins, along with leaf curling and stunting (Figure 3).

Consider treatment, particularly on young, non-bearing fruit trees. The preferred materials for leafhopper control include Actara, Admire, Assail, Belay, Endigo, and Voliam Flexi.

Ambrosia Beetle: Trap captures have been low in orchards across the state. Monitor for signs of stress or infested trees with “toothpicks” from boring activity and consider trunk sprays if needed.

Dogwood borer: Adult male moths caught in pheromone traps decreased significantly from previous weeks, indicating peak flight activity is coming to an end.

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties

Apple scab, cedar apple rust, and powdery mildew: Few apple scab lesions have been found in orchards throughout the state. Cedar apple rust has been reported on leaves and fruit at several orchards throughout the state (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Cedar apple rust lesions forming on apple leaves.

Powdery mildew is present in some orchards and needs to be managed through July (Figure 2). If you see apple scab lesions on your cluster leaves, products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Prophyt, or Inspire Super can be applied to burn them out. These products also work well on powdery mildew. In periods of hot days with high humidity and no rain, sulfur (e.g., Microthiol Disperss at 10 lb./A) can be applied.

Figure 2. Powdery mildew on apple leaves.

Fire blight: Where shoot blight symptoms are present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water. The recommendation is to cut back to last year’s growth, at least 12” back into healthy tissue, and to sterilize pruners between cuttings.

Figure 3. Bitter rot on developing fruit.

Rots: Hot, humid weather will increase the risk of fruit rots, including white rot, bitter rot, black rot, sooty blotch & flyspeck. Bitter rot has been observed in southern county orchards (Figure 3).

Broad-spectrum fungicides, such as captan and ziram, are effective, and adding single-site products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia may improve control. The addition of phosphonate products such as ProPhyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control of rots and other summer diseases, including sooty blotch and flyspeck. It may help suppress scab infections when present.

Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot: Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram before rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first.

Codling Moth (CM): Biofix has been set for southern counties as of April 20 and in northern counties as of May 5. Injury from the first generation has been reported in southern orchards (Figure 4). Second-generation timings are updated below. Consider management if >5 months/trap.

Figure 4. Codling moth injury and larva in developing fruit.

Scale: Crawler emergence continues and has increased in some orchards. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids (suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur. See also the scale discussion under the peach section.

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Populations continue to build in some orchards statewide, but on average remain below treatment levels. A treatment threshold is set at 50% of the terminals infested with live colonies. Predation by lady beetles and other predators has been observed and can help to maintain pest populations below damaging thresholds. As the terminals stop growing and harden, aphid populations should decrease. Movento will control WAA and GAA and can suppress scale when crawlers are active.

Potato leafhopper (PLH): Adults and nymphs are present and increasing in apple orchards throughout the state. Feeding damage from PLH results in “hopperburn” symptoms, which include browning & necrosis along leaf margins, along with leaf curling and stunting (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Potato leafhopper injury in new apple shoots. 

Consider treatment, particularly on young, non-bearing fruit trees. The preferred materials for leafhopper control include Actara, Admire, Assail, Belay, Endigo, and Voliam Flexi.

Ambrosia Beetle: Trap captures continue to increase in some orchards, while other orchards, particularly in the south, have had a decrease in trap captures. Monitor signs of stress or infested trees with “toothpicks” from boring activity and consider trunk sprays if needed.

Dogwood borer: We continue to capture a high number of males in pheromone traps across orchards statewide. Mating disruption is recommended and effective for this pest and should be considered for next season in blocks with a history of infestation. Assail has demonstrated activity when targeting adults to reduce egg laying. See the 2026 Integrated Orchard Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the Southeast.

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties

Apple scab, cedar apple rust, and powdery mildew: Few apple scab lesions have been found in orchards throughout the state. Mildew infections have also been observed on leaves in several orchards with a history of the disease. This past week, cedar apple rust symptoms were also reported at several orchards throughout the state (Figure 1). If you see apple scab lesions on your cluster leaves, products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, ProPhyt, or Inspire Super can be applied to burn them out. These products also work well on powdery mildew. In periods of hot days with high humidity and no rain, sulfur (e.g., Microthiol Disperss at 10 lb./A) can be applied. Do not tank mix captan and sulfur. Powdery mildew needs to be managed through July.

Figure 1. Cedar apple rust lesions forming on apple leaves.

Fire blight: Shoot blight symptoms increased over the past week. When blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water. The recommendation is to cut back to last year’s growth, at least 12” back into healthy tissue, and to sterilize pruners between cuttings.

Rots: Hot, humid weather like we experienced last week will increase the risk of fruit rots, including white rot, bitter rot, black rot, sooty blotch, and flyspeck. White rot was observed in South Jersey apple orchards this week, underscoring the importance of maintaining protective fungicide coverage during periods conducive to disease development. Broad-spectrum fungicides, such as captan and ziram, are effective, and adding single-site products, including Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia, may improve control. The addition of phosphorous acid products such as ProPhyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control of rots and other summer diseases, such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections when present.

Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot: In orchards with reduced spray programs, we continue to see increases in frogeye leaf spot. These diseases should be managed, as they will cause defoliation and provide a source of inoculum for black rot and bitter rot next season. Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram before rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first.

Codling Moth (CM): Biofix has been set for southern counties as of April 20 and in northern counties as of May 5. Although we are past the model timings for CM, some orchards with a history of injury continue to experience trap captures above the threshold (5 moths per trap); further treatment may be needed.

Figure 2. Frass, or chewed wood, looks like “toothpicks” being pushed out from the trunk where the ambrosia beetle is boring into the tree.

Tufted Apple Bud Moth (TABM): Trap counts have decreased from the previous week. This has been a minor pest in recent years, and many materials used for codling moth will also control TABM, including Lannate, Delegate, diamides, and Intrepid. The timing for management of the first generation has ended.

Scale: Crawler emergence was reported at the end of May and will continue for the next 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids (suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur. See also the scale discussion under the peach section.

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Populations continue to build in some orchards statewide, but on average remain below treatment levels. A treatment threshold is set at 50% of the terminals infested with live colonies. Predation by lady beetles and other predators has been observed and can help maintain pest populations below damaging thresholds. As the terminals stop growing and harden, aphid populations should decrease. Movento will control WAA and GAA and can suppress scale when crawlers are active.

Ambrosia Beetle: Trap captures have started to increase. Monitor signs of stress or infested trees with “toothpicks” from boring activity (Figure 2).

Dogwood borer: We continue to capture a high number of males in pheromone traps across orchards statewide. Mating disruption is recommended and effective for this pest and should be considered for next season in blocks with a history of infestation. Assail has demonstrated activity when targeting adults to reduce egg laying. See the 2026 Integrated Orchard Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the Southeast.

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties

Powdery mildew: Warm days followed by cool, humid nights are ideal conditions for powdery mildew in orchards, and it has been observed on leaves. Mancozeb is not effective. In periods of hot days with high humidity and no rain, sulfur (e.g., Microthiol Disperss at 10 lb./A) can be applied. Powdery mildew needs to be managed through July. Do not tank mix captan and sulfur.

Fire blight: The shoot blight phase of the disease is present in a few areas throughout the state (Figure 1).

Where blight is present, it is an appropriate time to prune out infected shoots. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water.

Rots: In orchards with fruit, management moving forward will focus on summer diseases, including fruit rots such as bitter rot, sooty blotch, and fly speck. Broad-spectrum fungicides captan and ziram are effective, and adding single-site products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia may improve control. The addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control ofrots and other summer diseases, such as sooty blotch and flyspeck. It may help suppress scab infections when present.

Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot: We continue to see frogeye leaf spot in apple orchards throughout the state (Figure 2). These diseases should be managed, as they will cause defoliation and provide a source of inoculum for black rot and bitter rot next season. Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram before rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first.

Insect management programs should be adjusted this season to account for reduced crop load in many orchards. In blocks with little to no fruit, many insect pests will not require treatment; however, monitoring should continue, and management should be maintained where pests threaten tree health or next year’s crop. 

Codling Moth (CM): Biofix has been set for southern counties as of April 20 and in northern counties as of May 5. The second of two treatments can be applied in northern counties. All timed treatments in other areas of the state should be applied. Growers should rely on a 5-month-per-trap threshold; if counts exceed this level, further treatments are needed. 

Tufted Apple Bud Moth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 4/28. Trap counts are higher on individual farms this year compared to recent years, either due to a higher population or a reduced insecticide spray program. Consider management when pheromone trap counts are high, if injury was noted last year, or if leaf shelters and fruit feeding are easily found. Many materials used for codling moth will also control TABM, including Lannate, Delegate, diamides, and Intrepid. Timing for management of the first generation is best timed for 500-650 DD and 805-850 DD base 45°F. As of 6/8, Gloucester County is at 788 DD base 45°F. 

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Populations continue to build in some orchards statewide, but on average remain below treatment levels. A treatment threshold is set at 50% of the terminals infested with live colonies. Predation by lady beetles and other predators has been observed and can help to maintain pest populations below damaging thresholds. As the terminals stop growing and harden, aphid populations should decrease. Movento will control WAA and GAA and can suppress scale when applied in late May or early June when crawlers are active. 

Figure 3. Dogwood borer adult moth on apple.

Dogwood borer: The number of males captured in traps has decreased from last week, but trap captures remain high, particularly in orchards with a history of the pest (Figure 3). Mating disruption is recommended and effective for this pest. Manage as needed in blocks with a history of infestation. Assail has demonstrated activity when targeting adults to reduce egg laying. See the 2026 Integrated Orchard Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the Southeast.

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties 

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties 

Foliar diseases should be managed with Mancozeb or Ziram, plus a single-site fungicide, to maintain pressure and reduce inoculum levels, protecting fruit and maintaining a healthy orchard going into the next season (Figure 4). See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information. 

Figure 4. Fabraea leaf spot on foliage in pear. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear psylla: Psylla adults are still actively laying eggs, and nymphs continue to hatch. 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). Other options include Movento (IRAC Group 23). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions for adding penetrants to these products.

Given the widespread crop loss in many orchards, disease management programs should be adjusted accordingly. With little to no fruit present in most blocks, emphasis should shift away from fruit protection and toward maintaining tree health and reducing inoculum for next season.

Bacterial spot:

Growers should continue to manage symptoms with oxytetracycline and lower copper rates, particularly during rainy periods and severe weather. Fruit will become less susceptible to infection at pit hardening. Avoid combining copper with captan, especially following extended cloudy or slow-drying conditions.

Rusty spot:

Rusty spot infections are appearing on fruit across the state and are ongoing until pit hardening. Maintain coverage with effective materials such as Rally, Rhyme, or potassium bicarbonate products. Other choices include Flint Extra, Inspire Super, and Luna Sensation.

Peach scab:

Maintain good coverage with captan or other effective fungicides until July in orchards where scab was previously an issue.

Insect management programs for peaches and nectarines should be adjusted this season due to reduced crop load. In blocks with little to no fruit, many fruit-feeding pests will not require treatment; however, monitoring should continue, and management should focus on pests that impact tree health or future production. Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/7 for southern counties and 4/15 in northern counties. Treatment timings targeting the second generation are shown in the table below. 

 Scale: White peach scale and San Jose scale crawlers began emergence around May 27 and will continue for the next 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids (suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur.  

Green Peach Aphid: We continue to observe reduced aphid populations across farm sites. If more than 1 colony of aphids per tree is found in nectarines, or 2-3 colonies are found in peaches, an insecticide for aphids is needed. Management options include Assail, Actara, Admire Pro, or Sivanto. 

Thrips: Thrips continue to be present in peach blocks. In dry conditions, flower thrips may become an issue in 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. Delegate or Entrust at the highest labeled rate are the usual recommended materials for thrips in stone fruit. Lannate also has activity on thrips. These materials all have short PHI’s and may be applied close to harvest when damage typically appears.  

Plum Curculio: We continue to report on recent injuries to developing peaches and apples across the state. If recent injury is observed, management options include Avaunt and neonicotinoids (Actara, Belay). 

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Activity is increasing with dry weather and summer temperatures. Very little recent fruit feeding has been observed. In most blocks with little to no fruit, treatment is not necessary.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties 

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties 

Apple Scab: Primary scab period has ended. Wetting events can support disease spread where primary scab infection occurred, but the upcoming forecast is relatively dry, which should limit additional infection risk at this time. Growers should continue to monitor conditions and maintain coverage with Mancozeb or Captan plus a single-site fungicide, particularly where primary infections may have occurred. Keep in mind that Mancozeb has a 77-day pre-harvest interval (PHI).

Cedar apple rust: We have observed a few instances of cedar apple rust infections spreading into orchards. The period critical to maintaining coverage from infection has ended.

Figure 1. Powdery mildew developing on leaves in apple. Photo by Sophia Solewater.

Powdery mildew: This week, we have had ideal conditions for powdery mildew infections in orchards, and powdery mildew has been observed on leaves (Figure 1). Mancozeb is not effective. In periods of hot days with high humidity and no rain, sulfur (e.g., Microthiol Disperss at 10 lb./A) can be applied. Powdery mildew needs to be managed through July. Do not tank mix captan and sulfur.

Fire blight: Symptoms began appearing in southern county apple orchards the week of 5/11 and continue to develop throughout the state. It is recommended to cut out infected limbs 6–12 inches below the margin of visible infection. Ideally, infected tissue should be removed from the orchard and burned. However, if pressed for time, prunings can be left in the row middles to dry out and subsequently chopped with a mower. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water.

Rots: In orchards with fruit, management moving forward will focus on summer diseases, including fruit rots like bitter rot, sooty blotch, and fly speck. Broad-spectrum fungicides captan and ziram are effective, and the addition of single-site products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia may improve control. The addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control of rots and other summer diseases, such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present.

Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot: These diseases should be managed, as they will cause defoliation and provide a source of inoculum for black rot and bitter rot next season.  Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram prior to rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first.

Insect management programs should be adjusted this season based on reduced crop load in many orchards. In blocks with little to no fruit, many insect pests will not require treatment; however, monitoring should continue, and management should be maintained where pests threaten tree health or next year’s crop.

Codling Moth (CM): Biofix has been set for southern counties as of April 20 and in northern counties as of May 5. In blocks with little to no crop, CM management programs can often be reduced or delayed; however, monitoring should continue. Where mating disruption has been employed, or there is a reduced insecticide program, supplemental Madex applications can be made at the timings listed below if the threshold exceeds 5 or more moths per trap per week.

Tufted Apple Bud Moth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 4/28. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years; however, we have recorded high trap captures this season. Consider management when pheromone trap counts are high, if injury was noted last year, or if leaf shelters and fruit feeding are easily found. Many materials used for codling moth, including Lannate, Delegate, diamides, and Intrepid, will also control TABM. Timing for management of first generation is best timed for 500-650 DD and 805-850 DD base 45°F.

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Aphid colonies are being observed in some apple blocks. WAA and GAA are generally pests that can be tolerated because they cause little direct damage. Treatment thresholds for WAA and GAA are met if 50% of the shoots are infested with no beneficial insects present. Movento will control WAA and GAA and can suppress scale when applied in late May or early June when crawlers are active.

Ambrosia Beetle: Trap captures have decreased, indicating peak flight has ended or is coming to an end. Infested trees should be showing signs of stress or will soon. If trees are showing significant decline, particularly smaller/younger trees in high-density plantings, we recommend removing the trees and inspecting infested trees for signs of other confounding factors that may be causing tree stress (fire blight, Phytophthora).

Leafhoppers: Adult leafhoppers typically begin appearing in apples at this time of year. They appear as small, light-green, soft-bodied insects and are often found on the new leaves at the growing tips. High densities should not be tolerated in non-bearing orchards because they can stunt the growth of new shoots. They should also not be tolerated in orchards where fire blight is present, as they have been shown to spread the disease. Neonicotinoids are generally recommended for control; however, there are other broad-spectrum materials that are effective.

Dogwood borer: Monitoring traps have captured high numbers of male dogwood borer adults, particularly in orchards with a history of the pest. Mating disruption is recommended and effective for this pest. Manage as needed in blocks with a history of infestation. Assail has demonstrated activity when targeting adults to reduce egg laying. See the 2026 Integrated Orchard Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the Southeast.

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties

Fabraea Leaf Spot: Spots have been observed on leaves in orchards (Figure 2). Infections can result in significant leaf spotting, defoliation, and unmarketable fruit. Foliar diseases should be managed with Mancozeb or Ziram, plus a single-site fungicide, to maintain pressure and inoculum at low levels, protecting fruit and maintaining a healthy orchard going into the next season. See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Figure 2. Fabraea leaf spot on foliage in pear. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear psylla: Second generation pear psylla adults are actively laying eggs, and nymphs continue to hatch. 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). Other options include Movento (IRAC Group 23). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions for adding penetrants to these products.

Plum curculio; Stink bug; Tarnished plant bug: Activity during scouting has been low. Where high amounts of injury are observed, and you intend to harvest the crop, consider a well-timed application of an IRAC Group 4A (Actara, Assail, and Belay).

Given the widespread crop loss in many orchards, disease management programs should be adjusted accordingly. With little to no fruit present in most blocks, emphasis should shift away from fruit protection and toward maintaining tree health and reducing inoculum for next season.

Peach scab: In orchards without a history of high disease pressure, scab is generally not a concern in the absence of fruit. In blocks with a history of scab, lesions can still develop on current-season shoots and serve as inoculum for next year. In these situations, maintain coverage with captan or other effective fungicides until July, timed to precede significant rainfall events.

Bacterial spot: Maintain low-rate copper programs to protect foliage and reduce inoculum for future seasons, particularly important in blocks with a history of bacterial spot or under warm, wet conditions. 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. Avoid combining copper with captan, especially following extended cloudy or slow-drying conditions.

Figure 3. Rusty spot on peach. Photo by Karlton Raines-Neidigh.

Rusty spot: Rusty spot infections are appearing on fruit across the state and are ongoing until pit hardening (Figure 3). Maintain coverage with effective materials such as Rally, Rhyme, or potassium bicarbonate products. Other choices include Flint Extra, Inspire Super, and Luna Sensation.

Brown rot: This disease is not a concern in blocks with little to no fruit. Fungicide applications targeting this disease can be eliminated in most orchards this season unless there is a crop to protect. See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Insect management programs for peaches and nectarines should be adjusted this season due to reduced crop load. In blocks with little to no fruit, many fruit-feeding pests will not require treatment; however, monitoring should continue, and management should focus on pests that impact tree health or future production.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/7 for southern counties and 4/15 in northern counties. All treatments for the second generation have passed.

Scale: Crawler emergence has been observed and will continue for the next 6 weeks (Figure 4). Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids

Figure 4. San Jose scale crawlers on peach branch. Photo by Dave Schmitt.

(suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur.

Green Peach Aphid: Activity has been low to start this season, but is increasing with warmer temperatures. Examine trees for the presence of aphids by counting the number of colonies on ten trees and using a treatment threshold of 2 colonies/tree at petal fall for peach, and 1 colony/tree for nectarine. Management options include Assail, Actara, Admire Pro, or Sivanto.

Thrips: In dry conditions flower thrips may become an issue in 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 or by shaking flowers in weeds and shrubs in the orchard 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 also has activity on thrips. These materials all have short PHI’s and may be applied close to harvest when damage typically appears. Thrips have been seen in southern counties during scouting this past week.

Plum Curculio: Injury to developing peaches and apples has been observed across the state, with high infestation rates in orchards with a history of high pest pressure (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Plum curculio injury on peach.

Management for PC is not recommended at this time, as adults are typically not active; however, in certain orchards with historically high pressure, we have seen recent activity. If a recent injury is observed, management options include Avaunt and neonicotinoids (Actara, Belay).

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Activity is increasing with dry weather and summer temperatures. Very little recent fruit feeding has been observed. In most blocks with little to no fruit, treatment is not necessary.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: Even in orchards with little fruit, borers will need to be managed to maintain healthy tree stands for the next season. If this has been a historical pest in your orchard, mating disruption is recommended. Continue monitoring and managing as usual in problem blocks with mating disruption or trunk sprays.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Apple Scab: Primary scab season is approaching the end, or has ended. Any established lesions from the primary scab infection period can continue to drive secondary spread if not controlled. Recent wetting events can support disease spread, but the upcoming forecast is relatively dry, which should limit additional infection risk in the short term. Growers should continue to monitor conditions and maintain coverage with Mancozeb or Captan plus a single-site fungicide, particularly where primary infections may have occurred. Keep in mind that Mancozeb has a 77-day pre-harvest interval (PHI).

Cedar apple rust: Rust is active at this time. Even if you have a low to no apple crop, apple rust and scab still need to be managed. Maintain coverage with mancozeb until the end of May.

Powdery mildew: Leaves with powdery mildew were observed this week, and the risk for infection remains active under dry conditions (Figure 1). Mancozeb is not effective. In periods of hot days with high humidity and no rain, sulfur (e.g., Microthiol Dispers at 10 lb/A) can be applied. PM needs to be managed through July. Do not tank mix captan and sulfur.

Figure 1. Powdery mildew is developing on the leaves of the apple. Photo by Sophia Solewater.

Fire blight: Symptoms began appearing in southern county apple orchards the week of 5/11. Products such as Apogee or Kudos are highly recommended to help slow the spread of infections. Repeated applications may be necessary to help control shoot blight from previous blossom infections or leftover cankers in the trees. It is recommended to cut out infected limbs 6–12 inches below the margin of visible infection. Ideally, infected tissue should be removed from the orchard and burned. However, if pressed for time, prunings can be left in the row middles to dry out and subsequently chopped with a mower. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water.

Rots: In orchards with fruit, management moving forward will focus on summer diseases, including fruit rots like bitter rot, sooty blotch, and fly speck. Broad-spectrum fungicides captan and ziram are effective, and adding single-site products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia may improve control. The addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control of rots and other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present.

Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot: These diseases should be managed, as they will cause defoliation and provide a source of inoculum for black rot and bitter rot next season.  Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram prior to rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first.

Insect management programs should be adjusted this season to account for reduced crop load in many orchards. In blocks with little to no fruit, many early-season insect pests will not require treatment; however, monitoring should continue, and management should be maintained where pests threaten tree health or next year’s crop.

Rosy apple aphid: Activity has been very low to start this season. RAA can feed extensively on foliage and terminals, causing leaf curling and stunting. This can impact next year’s fruit that will be set this season. Without fruit, the trees may tolerate a higher threshold of these pests, but they should still be managed. Monitor for colonies during bloom and use a treatment threshold of 1 colony/tree at petal fall.

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Aphid colonies are being observed in some apple blocks (Figure 2). WAA and GAA are generally pests that can be tolerated because they cause little direct damage. Treatment thresholds for WAA and GAA are met if 50% of the shoots are infested with no beneficial insects present. Movento will control WAA and GAA and should control scale when applied in mid-May, and suppress scale when applied in late May or early June.

Figure 2b. Green apple aphid colonies on younger branches.

Figure 2a. Woolly apple aphid colonizing pruned wood.

Ambrosia Beetle: Trap captures have decreased in southern NJ, indicating peak flight has ended or is coming to an end. In northern NJ counties, trap captures have been increasing with last week’s warm temperatures. Infested trees should be showing signs of stress or will soon. If you have had a history of this pest in your orchard, you should begin scouting for damage and flag any trees that have been attacked for continued monitoring.

Codling Moth (CM): Biofix has been set for southern counties as of April 20 and in northern counties as of 5/5. In blocks with little to no crop, CM management programs can often be reduced or delayed; however, monitoring should continue. Where mating disruption has been employed or there is a reduced insecticide program, supplemental Madex applications can be made at the timings listed below if the threshold exceeds 5 moths per trap per week.

Leafhoppers: Adult leafhoppers typically begin appearing in apples this time of year. They appear as small, light-green, soft-bodied insects and are often found on the new leaves at the growing tips. High densities should not be tolerated in non-bearing orchards because they can stunt the growth of new shoots. They should also not be tolerated in orchards where fire blight is present, as they have been shown to spread the disease. Neonicotinoids are generally recommended for control; however, other broad-spectrum materials are also effective. 

Dogwood borer: Monitoring traps have captured high numbers of male dogwood borer adults, particularly in orchards with a history of the pest. Mating disruption is recommended and effective for this pest. Manage as needed in blocks with a history of infestation. Assail has demonstrated activity when targeting adults to reduce egg laying. See the 2026 Integrated Orchard Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the Southeast.

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties

Fabraea Leaf Spot: Spots have been observed on leaves in orchards (Figure 3). Infections can result in significant leaf spotting, defoliation, and unmarketable fruit. Foliar diseases should be managed with Mancozeb or Ziram, plus a single-site fungicide, to maintain pressure and inoculum at low levels, protecting fruit and maintaining a healthy orchard going into the next season. See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Figure 3. Fabraea leaf spot on foliage in pear. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear psylla: Second generation pear psylla adults and eggs have been observed in southern counties. Pear Psylla are still actively laying eggs, and nymphs continue to hatch. 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). Other options include Movento (IRAC Group 23). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions for adding penetrants to these products.

Plum curculio; Stink bug; Tarnished plant bug: While activity during scouting may appear low, injury is being observed and may be more pronounced in orchards where reduced crop load is present. If high amounts of injury are observed and you intend to harvest the crop, consider a well-timed application of an IRAC Group 4A (Actara, Assail, and Belay).

Given the widespread crop loss in many orchards, disease management programs should be adjusted accordingly. With little to no fruit present in most blocks, emphasis should shift away from fruit protection and toward maintaining tree health and reducing inoculum for next season.

Peach scab: In orchards without a history of high disease pressure, scab is generally not a concern in the absence of fruit. In blocks with a history of scab, lesions can still develop on current-season shoots and serve as inoculum for next year. In these situations, a reduced program may be warranted, with Captan applications timed ahead of significant rainfall events.

Bacterial spot: Leaf symptoms began appearing in orchards earlier in May. Leaf infections appear water-soaked, stay within the leaf veins, and gradually darken. Eventually, the chlorotic tissue abscises from the leaf, leaving a “shot-hole”. Copper injury appears similar. The main differences are that copper injury often appears at the leaf base, where the spray collects as it runs off, and the shot-hole will cross leaf veins. Copper injury often appears red at the margins of the shot hole. Fruit injury from bacterial spot results in dark lesions that are often accompanied by gummosis. Maintain low-rate copper programs to protect foliage and reduce inoculum for future seasons. Particularly important in blocks with a history of bacterial spot or under warm, wet conditions. Avoid combining copper with captan, especially following extended cloudy or slow-drying conditions.

Rusty spot and brown rot: Not a concern in blocks with little to no fruit. Fungicide applications targeting these diseases can be eliminated in most orchards this season unless there is a crop to protect. See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Insect management programs for peaches and nectarines should be adjusted this season due to reduced crop load. In blocks with little to no fruit, many fruit-feeding pests will not require treatment; however, monitoring should continue, and management should focus on pests that impact tree health or future production.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/7 for southern counties and 4/15 in northern counties. All treatments for the second generation have passed. We have seen very little flagging in new leaf tissue where OFM larvae have bored into.

Scale: White peach scale and San Jose scale crawlers begin to emerge at this time and will continue to emerge for up to 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids (suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur.

Green Peach Aphid: Activity has been low to start this season, but is increasing with warmer temperatures. Examine trees for the presence of aphids by counting 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. Management options include Assail, Actara, Admire Pro, or Sivanto.

Plum Curculio: Injury to developing peaches and apples has been observed in southern counties, with high infestation rates in orchards with a history of high pest pressure. Management for PC is not recommended at this time since adults are not currently active.

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Activity is increasing with dry weather and summer temperatures. Very little recent fruit feeding has been observed. In most blocks with little to no fruit, treatment is not necessary.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: Growers using mating disruption for borer control should have them in place by mid-May. Even in orchards with little fruit, borers will need to be managed to maintain healthy tree stands for the next season. If this has been a historical pest in your orchard, mating disruption is recommended. Continue monitoring and managing as usual in problem blocks with mating disruption or trunk sprays.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties