Plum curculio activity has begun in Southern New Jersey. Plum curculio will feed and oviposit on developing fruit, causing loss of fruit. Although no damage has been recorded, as we approach petal fall, growers with a history of plum curculio populations will want to apply insecticides to prevent injury. Avaunt, Imidan and Actara provide excellent control of PC, however Actara does not provide control over OFM. Some of the pyrethroid insecticides will also provide protection as well as target other petal fall pests such as OFM and the catfacing complex. We traditionally recommend sprays at petal-fall and shuck-split for plum curculio with a third at 1st cover if needed.
