Fruit IPM for 7/29/20

Peach:

Stink Bugs Apples and Peaches: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) has been steadily increasing in isolated locations. The highest levels seen are on 2 farms in Gloucester County at 4 per trap and at 2 farms in Morris County at 16 and 18 per trap. The Morris County traps are adjacent to apples, and represent high levels of BMSB. Most, but not all of the pyrethroid  and pyrethroid premixes have good activity for BMSB. See the 2020 NJ Tree Fruit Production Guide for a list of effective materials. Where growers are using OFM mating disruption in peaches, then weekly border sprays for BMSB will help. In apples a 7 day program may be needed as trap captures increase.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): We are at the treatment timing for the third generation, but populations are so low that most growers can either stretch their insecticide timings or target other pests such as BMSB if stinkbugs are present.

June Bugs and Japanese Beetles: These perennial summer pests have been particularly troublesome in orchards and vineyards. June bugs have been seen feeding on green and ripening fruit in peaches where populations are high. The regular applications of pyrethroids should suppress these insects, although the neonicotinoids like Admire are very effective, but do not control BMSB.

Two Spotted Spider Mite (TSSM): Two Spotted mites have been commonly found in the lower parts of the canopy in many orchards in southern counties. In all cases predatory mites have been seen feeding on them and have mostly controlled the populations. These observations all make sense when one realizes that the two spotted mite overwinters in around weedy host plants, which is where early season predacious mites are also found. As the predators feed on two spotted mites, the predator populations start to build. Two spotted mites form the perfect early to mid-season food source for the predators, and if red mites become a problem, then there are often sufficient predators to take care of the red mite issue.

Apple:

Codling Moth (CM): Trap captures are very low statewide, but increasing, especially in northern counties. Growers should be actively treating this generation. A few entry marks have been seen in southern orchards. This generation has been drawn out in recent years, so 2-3 or more treatments may be needed. Make sure that your spray penetrates the insides and tops of the trees, since this is where much of the mating and egg laying takes place. Diamide products (Altacor, Voliam, Besiege, Exirel, Verdepryn), and Delegate are the products of choice. Under high and problematic conditions, the additional use of the CM/OFM virus, Madex, can be helpful.

European Red Mite (ERM): European red mite populations have been building over the past week to 10 days. While only a few orchards have significant mite populations, given the heat, populations have been able to increase rapidly. This has made it difficult for mite predators to keep up and completely control the red mites. Where predators are present, one alternate middle application of a miticide may be all that is needed. In addition to the predators, mite control often benefits from rotating miticides and using new materials. One new material, Nealta, has been effective at knocking down high populations. For optimum control, the label suggests the addition of an adjuvant/spreader. The material is not systemic, and needs at least 1 hour to dry. It is effective on all mite stages, including eggs, but is not effective for rust mites. Use 13.7 fl oz/A, and if reapplying, allow at least 14 days between applications.

Rots : Various rots, mostly bitter rot are still appearing in some orchards. Bitter rot infections will continue during wetting periods for the rest of the summer.  The QoIl premixes Merivon and Pristine are good rot materials with Merivon being the better of the two. Luna Sensation and Luna Tranquility are also rated as effective. Alternate with a Captan/Prophyt mix or Captan/Topsin. Topsin has some efficacy for white and black rots but is not effective against bitter rot.

Grapes:

Grape Berry Moth: The timing for third generation GBM control is now in southern counties if using  Altacor or Intrepid. Growers using other insecticides can wait a few days longer.

Spotted Lanternfly: SLF adults are being seen in scattered vineyards in northern and central counties. As the season progresses, we expect to see increased adult activity and spread to additional vineyards. Adults, as opposed to the nymphs, are definitely something to be controlled. More on this in next week’s newsletter.

Scouting Calendar Tree Fruit Southern Counties

The following table is intended as an aid for orchard scouting. It should not be used to time pesticide applications. Median dates for pest events and crop phenology are displayed. These dates are compiled from observations made since 1995 in Gloucester County. Events in northern New Jersey should occur 7-10 days later.

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Northern Counties

Blueberry:

Tailing Down…But Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is still the main pest of concern, but only on Elliott and other later varieties.

Aphids: Aphid populations are down to an average of 1.2% of terminals infested with a high of 34% last week. The recent heat, combined with the hardening off of plant tissue has resulted in very low aphid populations, which should no longer be a concern, unless you have lush growing Elliott.

Putnam Scale: Scale infested fruit remains very low. Crawler traps have been put out, and the second generation should be starting in the near future.

By the Numbers: