Blueberries:

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD): Populations are increasing.

As measured by red sticky card counts, and maximum trap counts are about double the numbers we saw the previous week. Any field that is colored or starting to color should have protection. Most materials that control SWD also control blueberry maggot (except Delegate and Entrust, which provide suppression). Larval infestation pressure has significantly increased. Reapplications are necessary if insecticide has been applied, only to be washed off in a thunderstorm. Make sure to target the bottom half of the bush as well as berries dropped on the ground, in addition to the tops of the plants. Adult flies are the most active during the early morning hours and at dusk. Therefore, applications of insecticide during the very early morning hours and twilight will be more effective than if applied during late morning to mid-day.

Aphids:  Aphids are still being found.  Colonies are in a similar range as during last week, the average shoot infestation rate is 9.32% of new shoots infested with a high of 70%.  If aphid populations are present, they should be controlled to as best as practical, but while working around PHIs and SWD control.

Blueberry Maggot (BBM): No blueberry maggot adults have been found yet. Historically we have usually found the first adult maggot fly by June 10-15. The late and possibly smaller population is probably due to the presence of SWD sprays.

Oriental Beetle (OB): Adults continue their emergence as they start to mate and lay eggs. Young larvae should continue to be present over the next several weeks. OB treatments should go on by mid-July, or prior to the grubs molting into their 3^rd instar stage.

Anthracnose: Field level anthracnose infections have increased slightly since last week. At sites where anthracnose is easily found, levels have almost doubled. Therefore, fungicide applications are still merited. Abound, Pristine, Switch and Phosphite materials have a “0” day PHI. Not all materials can be aerially applied. See the 2021 Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for additional products.

By the Numbers Summary:

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: Growers who have used mating disruption for OFM should continue to focus on PC; GPA; and catfacing insect pests as described below. For those growers using insecticides, the second of two applications are due this week. This is particularly important where the moth flight is exceeding the treatment threshold of 8 moths per trap.

Thrips: Thrips are present in poorly managed groundcovers in southern counties and some slight damage has been noted. Delegate has a short PHI and is effective at the high rate. Lannate may work in some orchards.

Brown Rot: Disease pressure is still present and will increase with the thunderstorms predicted for later this week. See last week’s newsletter and the 2021 Tree Fruit Production Guide. Also from the previous newsletter: About 10 weeks before anticipated harvest begins, use captan at 3 1/8 pounds per acre in cover sprays; at 3 weeks prior to harvest use Flint Extra at 3.8 ounces acre; and then follow the usual preharvest schedule with Fontelis at 16-20 ounces 2 weeks before harvest and Inspire Super or a propiconazole product at 1-4 days before harvest.

Apple:

Codling Moth (CM): On average, trap captures are low, but we should start to see an increase as the second flight starts to emerge. Given how this insect can be problematic on some farms, it is very important to hit the second emergence on time. Approximate timings for the initial 2^nd generation treatments are outlined below:

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): Trap counts indicate that this is the end of the first generation flight. No treatments are usually needed during July, even on farms with high populations.

Woolly Apple Aphids (WAA): WAA colonies are present in several northern county orchards. WAA also produces colonies on the root system, which under heavy populations, can stress the tree. These aphids should be controlled before colonies get too dense and numerous. One of the best controls at this time is Movento used at the rate of 10-12 oz/A combined with a spreader adjuvant with penetrating properties. Use sufficient volume to thoroughly wet the tree. Slow drying conditions are best. The material is fully systemic, and should reach the colonies feeding on the roots, as well as those that are visible on the aerial portions of the tree.

Grapes:

Japanese Beetles: June into July is typically the time when Japanese beetles emerge. They will soon be feeding in the canopy. Insecticides effective for Japanese beetle management include Sevin and Imidan, formulations containing imidacloprid such as admire pro and leverage, other newer generation neonicotinoids and Avaunt, as well as most pyrethroids. The following table is from the Virginia 2021 Production Guide:

Diseases: Downy mildew is appearing in southern county vineyards as spring diseases like phomopsis and black rot are nearing the end of the target window. As we enter the summer period of disease management the focus broadens to cultural controls along with well-timed fungicide applications for downy mildew and powdery mildew management. Horticultural practices to improve fruit quality such as shoot positioning, hedging, and leaf pulling also allow for quicker drying and better pesticide penetration in the canopy and fruiting zone. See Dr. Nita’s recent presentation from Virginia Tech covering summer disease management and Penn State’s leaf pulling webinar for more information.

Scouting Calendar Tree Fruit Southern Counties

The following table is intended as an aid for orchard scouting. I t 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