Fruit IPM Report for 5/22/13

• Peach
• Apple
• Pear
• Scouting Calendar
• Trap Counts

Peach

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): The 2 treatment timings for oriental fruit moth are over in southern and central counties. In northern counties the timing for the second treatment using conventional materials (OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids) is now. If after the second full spray has been applied, trap counts exceed 6-8 moths per trap, then additional sprays may be needed. We are in between generations in southern counties and just at the end of the first generation in northern counties. This is a good time to scout orchards for signs of shoot flagging. Infested shoots will look wilted at the tips, and will bleed from the entry point. Growers with trap captures above 6-8 moths/trap should maintain coverage with effective materials..

First Generation OFM Timing

Bacterial Spot: Symptoms are now appearing on leaves from an infection that occurred about two weeks ago. So far very little infected orchards have been noted in southern counties. Given the inoculum that is now present in those orchards and the spring rains, growers with bacterial spot present should maintain aggressive coverage with antibiotic sprays on susceptible varieties.

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): Timings for TABM control are outlined below. This is now a minor pest, due to its increased control over the last 6 years. However, if you are a grower who did have TABM damage last year, you are advised to use the timings that follow:

PC adult on young nectarine fruit.

Plum Curculio (PC):Adults are still active and need to be treated. This is a high impact year for PC activity. Since we had a cool drawn out spring that included much of the time that PC was normally starting to move into orchards, the weather pattern likely contributed to extended PC activity. Fresh egg scars and unhatched eggs were seen this week in South Jersey. Insecticides with high PC activity should still be used in most orchards, especially on borders that are near woods and other unkept areas. See size of PC adult compared to young fruit.

Green Peach Aphid: Some individual farms have over 5 colonies per tree. Any registered neonicotinoid insecticide (Actara, Assail, Belay, Admire Pro, or premixes – Leverage, Voliam-Flexi) will control these populations. The newly registered Closer is also good for aphids. Be aware of what these various materials control. Some control only aphids, while others have a broader spectrum.

Rusty Spot: Early symptoms are now visible. On untreated trees there appears to be moderate to severe levels of infection. Maintain control measures until about pit hardening. If you’re using a neonicitinoid or a premix that contains a neonicitinoid for an insecticide, consider the use of one of the biorationals (Armicarb; Kaligreen; Serenade) in place of Rally in order to minimize impact on bees if you have any flowering broadleaf weeds in the orchard.

Peach Scab: It’s too early to see peach scab symptoms but it’s important to maintain control measures until about the end of June, especially where scab was present last year.

Apple

Codling Moth (CM): The following chart updates application timings for southern and northern counties. Overall, trap counts are low, but a few sites still show populations above treatment levels, even though 2 timed treatments may have already been applied. Some sites in central and northern counties are running 16-20 moths per trap. This is defined as a high pressure situation and may merit additional controls after the degree day timed treatments are completed. Under high pest pressure DO NOT use conventional materials (OP – Imidan, Carbamate – Lannate or Sevin, or pyrethroid insecticides). Use instead, the diamides, Intrepid and/or repeated applications of the codling moth virus.

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): See peach section.

Apple Scab and Powdery Mildew: Scab symptoms are present in a few blocks in southern and northern counties. By the NEWA model, primary scab season should be almost finished. However, if you missed any early fungicide sprays or have the beginnings of scab infections, be aware that continued wetting periods can cause further infections, and that continued coverage is needed in these events.

Pear

Pear Psylla: First generation adults are just beginning to appear on shoots and egg laying has started in southern counties. If you are planning to apply Movento, monitor carefully for eggs along the midribs of leaves near the top of shoots. Bias your sampling toward the tops of trees and on new shoots inside the trees, sometimes called water sprouts. Make the application before the first eggs hatch (see scouting calendar) since Movento needs about a week to become fully systemic and take effect. Movoento requires the addition of a non-ionic surfactant to maximize control. Other options for control include Agri-mek, Assail, Actara, and Delegate. Portal and Nexter are also effective but are better saved for summer treatments if needed. Follow the Agri-mek label instructions for adding adjuvants. The efficacy of Assail, Actara and Delegate can be improved by the addition of 1 qt. summer spray oil. Be careful when applying oil to Asian varieties.

Scouting Calendar Southern Counties Tree Fruit

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