Foliar diseases, including Fabraea leaf spot and summer rots, should be managed to protect fruit as we approach harvest. FRAC 7 and 11 fungicides provide good control. Consider the pre-harvest interval (PHI) as we approach harvest. Also, read labels and consider restrictions on the number of applications for FRAC 7 and 11 fungicides. Topsin (FRAC 1) is also a good option for control with a 1-day PHI.

Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.

Pear psylla populations have decreased compared to previous weeks. If adult psylla are present, 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).

Brown rot incidence remains low, but where fruit is present, rot has been observed (Figure 3). If you are harvesting fruit, this would be a good week to use one of your stronger single-site materials with a low PHI: Indar, Cevya, Orius, Quash, and Tilt (FRAC group 3); and Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, and Quadris Top (FRAC group 11).

Figure 3. Brown rot on ripening peach fruit.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM) trap captures have decreased, and flight activity should be ending. Consider treatment if trap captures are above threshold (>8 moths per trap). A few options for late in the season with low PHIs would include Assail (7-day), Baythroid XL (7-day), Danitol (3-day), Delegate (1-day), and Sevin (3-day).

Japanese beetles are present in orchards and have been persistent this season, feeding in the tree canopy and on fruit. To prevent losses, include neonicotinoid materials such as Assail (7-day PHI), pyrethroids such as Baythroid (7-day), or premix products such as Leverage 360 (7-day). Verdepryn (IRAC 28, 7-day PHI) is also effective.

Figure 4. Lesser peachtree borer adult.

Scale crawlers are active in orchards. Options at this point include Assail, Belay (Group 4A), and the bioinsecticide Venerate. These products may provide some late-season suppression where fruit damage is observed. Venerate has a 0-day PHI, making it useful for blocks near or at harvest.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug nymphs and adults are active and increasing in orchards. Late-season and pre-harvest control options include Assail (7-day PHI), Brigade (14-day), Danitol (3-day), Leverage 360 (7-day), and Venerate (0-day).

Lesser and greater peachtree borer trap captures continued to decline this week, although adults remain active, and egg laying is ongoing (Figure 4). Newly hatched larvae feed on the bark before boring into the lower trunk and root crown, where they overwinter and can weaken or kill trees. Growers should begin preparing for post-harvest trunk applications of pyrethroids (Asana or Pounce) or chlorpyrifos, with mid-August through early September generally providing the best timing to target young larvae before they enter the tree. Apply the insecticide thoroughly to the lower trunk, root flare, scaffold crotches, and any cankered areas, following label directions.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) adults continue to be captured in monitoring traps (Table 1). SWD remains the primary target for insecticide applications.

Blueberry maggot is present, but is managed when controlling for SWD (Table 1). For management recommendations for SWD in blueberry and other berry crops, reference Rutgers Cooperative Extension Factsheet FS1246 and SWD Insecticides for Berries.

Table 1. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot traps

Sharp-nosed leafhopper trap counts remain low (Table 2).

Oriental beetle adult flight activity continues to decrease (Table 2).

Table 2. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle traps

Scales crawler activity of both terrapin scale and Putnam scale slightly increased (Table 3). Monitoring will continue throughout the fall to detect the emergence of the second crawler generation and determine the appropriate timing for pesticide applications. Continued monitoring will help ensure that management recommendations are based on current pest activity and that insecticide applications are made when crawlers are most susceptible. Scale infestations on fruit remain low (Table 4).

Table 3. Scale Traps

Table 4. Scale Infestation on Fruit

The IPM team continues to observe anthracnose and Alternaria. For recommendations on fungicide products, refer to the 2026 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey or https://extension.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/bb-v42n01.pdf.

Weeds

Last week, the IPM team monitored 88 fields for weed pressure. The predominant weed species observed across production fields were nutsedge and goosegrass followed by marestail and barnyard grass. This was the last week for assessing weed pressure in the fields.  Based on current field conditions, postemergence herbicide selections should prioritize products with strong activity on annual grass species while considering the existing weed spectrum within individual fields. Refer to the 2026 Rutgers Blueberry Commercial Guide for management recommendations. 

Grape berry moth (GBM) continues to be captured in pheromone-baited traps in vineyards. Where populations have been managed, no further treatment should be needed, particularly as insecticide management shifts to other pests. Monitor for damage to bunches and consider treatment when 10% or more of the bunches show berry webbing and GBM larval feeding injury. See the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for management options.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) adults are present in vineyards. As we approach September, adult migration into vineyards will increase, at which point we consider applying materials with long residual efficacy. See this previous Plant & Pest Advisory post on Management of Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey Vineyards.

Spotted-Wing Drosophila trap counts continue to remain high in blueberries in southern counties. Monitoring efforts have shifted to grapes as veraison progresses and ripe fruit becomes vulnerable to infestation.

Grape root borer (GRB) adults are active and flying in vineyards. Monitoring traps indicate the presence of GRB in the area, but only scouting around the bases of vines will indicate the presence of GRB in the vineyard. Adult moths will lay eggs July-August. Larvae will enter the soil and migrate to the roots, where they feed and cause damage. Dr. Anne Nielsen and the IPM team will be monitoring vineyards throughout the state to assess GRB population pressure in NJ.

Grapes are beginning veraison in southern counties. Disease management continues to focus mainly on downy mildew (Figure 5), as well as powdery mildew, bunch rot, and black rot, but disease observations have been minimal. Refer to the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on disease management options.

Figure 5. Downy mildew on the underside of a grape leaf.

• 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.
• Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.

Pear psylla: Adult populations have decreased compared to previous weeks. If adult psylla are present, 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).

• 

  Figure 3. Declining peach trees due to environmental stress.

   

  Brown rot is appearing in ripening fruit throughout the state. Highly effective rot materials include DMI’s Indar, Cevya, Orius, Quash, and Tilt (FRAC group 3), and Strobilurin materials including Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, and Quadris Top (FRAC group 11), which should be applied beginning 3 – 4 weeks prior to harvest.

• There have been reports of declining peach trees exhibiting yellowing foliage, gummosis, and bark splitting. Several samples have been submitted to the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. There has been one report of Cytospora canker and some insect borer injury observed, but overall the damage and decline have been attributed to weather extremes, including drought and significant fluctuations in temperature that have made certain varieties or trees in certain low-lying locations more vulnerable to abiotic stress, and insect and disease injury (Figure 3). The recommendation is to maintain proper irrigation and fertilization and prune out any visible cankers. Be mindful of pruning practices and avoid mechanical damage to trees to minimize injury.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 for southern counties and 4/15 in northern counties. See below for timings for the third generation. Consider treatment if trap captures are above threshold (>8 moths per trap).

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles have been observed feeding significantly on foliage and fruit. Products containing imidacloprid (Admire Pro, Leverage 360) are effective and may be warranted to protect fruit through to harvest.

Scale: Second-generation White Peach Scale crawlers should emerge sometime this week or next. Second-generation San Jose Scale crawlers emerge about 7/17 +/- 8 days. Esteem is a good scale material that has a 14-day PHI for stone fruit. Centaur is also effective, has a 14-day PHI, and can be used only once during the growing season. Venerate has shown efficacy as a pre-harvest treatment against scale and has a 0-day PHI. If using Venerate to control scale insects, make 2 applications 7 days apart, starting a week after crawler emergence.

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Insects are active, but new fruit feeding injury has been minimal.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Nymphs are active, and numbers continue to increase in orchards statewide. See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Mites: Outbreaks of mites have been observed in a few orchards as a result of hot and dry weather from the previous week. If left unchecked, mites can build up to the point where leaf bronzing is visible by mid- to late July. If leaf damage is heavy enough, next year‘s crop can even be affected. Consider treatment if more than 10 mites per leaf are observed. Control options include Apollo, Savey, Envidor, Nealta, and Nexter. Try to limit miticide use to one application per material class per season.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Scouting was conducted last week across 75 conventional and organic blueberry fields in Burlington and Atlantic Counties. Monitoring of developing fruit indicated an overall decrease in pest activity, including feeding and oviposition by leafrollers, plum curculio, and cherry and cranberry fruitworms.

Aphids: Populations have declined significantly compared with previous weeks, likely due to recent weather conditions and the hardening of new shoot growth.

Spotted-wing drosophila: Trap captures slightly decreased in both Atlantic and Burlington Counties. SWD remains the primary target for insecticide applications (Table 1). For management recommendations for SWD in blueberry and other berry crops, reference Rutgers Cooperative Extension Factsheet FS1246 and SWD Insecticides for Berries.

Blueberry maggot: Adults are also present at low numbers, particularly in fields where picking and pesticide applications have slowed down.

Table 1. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot traps

Sharp-nosed leafhopper: Trap counts remain low (Table 2). 

Oriental beetle: Adults are actively in flight (Table 2).

Table 2. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle traps

Scales: Crawler activity of both terrapin scale and Putnam scale declined over the past week (Table 3). Monitoring will continue throughout the fall to detect the emergence of the second crawler generation and determine the appropriate timing for pesticide applications. Continued monitoring will help ensure that management recommendations are based on current pest activity and that insecticide applications are made when crawlers are most susceptible. Scale infestations on fruit also decreased last week (Table 4). For scale management, target the second generation of crawlers with post-harvest applications of diazinon or pyriproxyfen (Esteem).

Table 3. Scale Traps

Table 4. Scale Infestation on Fruit

The IPM team continues to observe anthracnose and Alternaria, likely associated with mechanical damage caused by picking machine activity.

For recommendations on fungicide products, refer to:

• the 2026 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey
• https://extension.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/bb-v42n01.pdf

Grape berry moth (GBM): Third-generation GBM is actively flying and laying eggs. The next timing to apply control for GBM is 1620-1710 DD from the biofix date of wild grape bloom (5/19 for Gloucester County). As of July 20, we are currently at 1659 DD (base 47.14°F) in Gloucester County. Consult the Grape berry moth NEWA model for the most accurate forecasting for your area. Consider treatment when 10% or more of the bunches show berry webbing and GBM larval feeding injury. To determine the percent injury, examine 10 bunches on 5 vines in 4 locations. Often, the greenish-brown larvae can be found inside the berry. See the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for management options.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF): Adult SLF were observed in southern county vineyards this week (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Spotted lanternfly adult in vineyards in South NJ.

See this previous Plant & Pest Advisory post on Management of Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey Vineyards.

Figure 5. Grape root borer pupal case at the base of a grape vine where the adult moth emerged.

Japanese beetle (JB): Pressure remains high throughout the state with considerable defoliation at some vineyards. See the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on insecticides effective for JB.

Grape root borer (GRB): Adults are active and flying in vineyards. Monitoring traps indicate the presence of GRB in the area, but only scouting around the bases of vines will indicate the presence of GRB in the vineyard (Figure 5).

Adult moths will lay eggs July-August. Larvae will enter the soil and migrate to the roots, where they feed and cause damage. Dr. Anne Nielsen and the IPM team will be monitoring vineyards throughout the state to assess GRB population pressure in NJ.

• Botrytis has been observed in developing bunches.
• Incidence of downy mildew and powdery mildew has been low in NJ vineyards.
• See the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on disease management options.

• 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.
• Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.

• Pear psylla adult and egg stages are present in orchards where populations persist.
• 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. Avoid applying oil at high temperatures, and do not mix with captan. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions for adding penetrants to products.

• Brown rot can be found on developing fruit in southern NJ orchards (Figure 4).
  

  Figure 4. Brown rot on mature fruit.

  Growers should rely on a captan-based program for mid-season covers, followed by better materials during the last 3 weeks’ pre-harvest, where fruit is present and being harvested. See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.   

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): We are past the window to target the second generation.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles have been observed feeding in orchards. Products containing imidacloprid (Admire Pro, Leverage 360) are effective and have a short preharvest interval.

Scale: Crawler emergence is active in orchards across the state. If crawlers are present, treatment options include Movento, Esteem, Centaur, Sivanto, and neonicotinoids (for suppression only). Movento and Esteem should be applied a week before or at the start of crawler emergence.

Thrips: Thrips injury has been found in orchards throughout the state (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Russeting on peach from early thrips feeding injury.

Delegate or Entrust at the highest labeled rate are the usual recommended materials for thrips present in stone fruit. Time applications starting at petal fall to reduce injury. Lannate also has activity on thrips. These materials all have short PHI’s and may be applied close to harvest where thrips are observed.

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Insects are active, but new fruit feeding injury has been minimal.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels and numbers are increasing from previous weeks in orchards statewide. Eggs are hatching and nymphs are present (Figure 6). See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: Male moth captures in pheromone traps decreased in number from previous weeks. Mating disruption is recommended to maintain low populations in your orchards.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Scouting was conducted last week across 119 conventional and organic blueberry fields in Burlington and Atlantic Counties.

This week, the IPM monitoring team observed signs of cherry fruitworm infestation in developing fruit, although infestation levels remain low.

Aphids: Aphid populations remain low at an average of 1–5 aphids per shoot.

Spotted-wing drosophila & Blueberry maggot: Trap captures increased in both Atlantic and Burlington Counties for spotted-wing drosophila. An increase in blueberry maggot trap captures were observed in Atlantic County (Table 1).

Table 1. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot Traps

SWD remains the primary target for insect management. When selecting insecticides, special consideration should be given to products with shorter pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) that provide effective control of these pests while also helping suppress scale crawlers, aphids, and other pest populations above threshold levels. For more information, see the Blueberry Bulletin or Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for recommendations.

The IPM team continues to observe higher levels of anthracnose than in the previous week. The recent wet weather is conducive for anthracnose development on berries. Fungicide applications are still merited in fields where anthracnose has been reported. Phosphite materials are effective and have a 0-day PHI.

Additionally, mummy berry and Alternaria have been observed during scouting. The increased incidence of Alternaria is most likely associated with fruit injury caused by mechanical harvesting.

For fungicide recommendations, refer to the Rutgers Blueberry Commercial Production Guide or  https://extension.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/bb-v42n01.pdf

Grape Berry Moth (GBM): Second generation adult GBM continue to be captured in pheromone traps and larval activity in bunches has been observed. The degree day timing to treat the second generation has passed. Second generation grape berry moth is not an automatic pest problem in New Jersey vineyards. The need for control is determined by examining bunches for larval activity, beginning in early‐July. An insecticide application is warranted when 5% of the bunches display larval feeding signs.

Japanese beetle: Japanese beetles are present in vineyards feeding on foliage. While established vines can tolerate some foliar injury, young or stressed vines are more susceptible to damage. If damage is severe, Assail, Baythroid, Belay, Danitol, or Sevin should provide the necessary control.

Spotted lanternfly: Population levels have been variable across the state, with average counts of nymphs remaining low compared to previous years. Fourth instars have been recently observed.

Reports of disease incidence of downy mildew, powdery mildew, black rot, Botrytis bunch rot, and ripe rot have been minimal. Recommended materials can be found in the New Jersey Commercial Grape Production Guide.

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.

Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.

Pear psylla: Where psylla adults are still being found, 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. Avoid applying oil at high temperatures, and do not mix with captan. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions for adding penetrants to products.

Bacterial spot: This disease is still present in some orchards and can be found on developing fruit (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Bacterial spot on developing peach fruit.

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

Brown Rot: Most growers should rely on a captan-based program for mid-season covers, followed by better materials during the last 3 weeks pre-harvest when fruit is present. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

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.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles have been observed feeding in orchards. Products containing imidacloprid (Admire Pro, Leverage 360) are effective and have a short preharvest interval.

Scale: Crawler emergence is active in orchards across the state. If crawlers are present, treatment options include Movento, Esteem, Centaur, Sivanto, and neonicotinoids (for suppression only). Movento, Esteem, and Centaur should be applied at the start of crawler emergence.

Thrips: We continue to observe moderate thrips activity in orchards throughout the state. Delegate or Entrust at the highest labeled rate are the usual recommended materials for thrips present in stone fruit. Lannate also has activity on thrips. These materials all have short PHI’s and may be applied close to harvest where injury is observed.

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Insects are active, but new fruit feeding injury has been minimal.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: We continue to trap high numbers of both species. 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

Scouting was conducted last week across 180 commercial and organic blueberry fields in Burlington and Atlantic Counties. Field evaluations focused primarily on inspecting fruit for insect injury and assessing aphid infestations on new vegetative terminals. Aphid populations increased compared with the previous week, although average colony sizes remain low, with approximately 1–5 aphids per infested shoot (Table 1).

Table 1: Aphid Infestation on New Terminals

Trap Monitoring

Although spotted-wing drosophila trap captures remain low compared to previous years, SWD remains the primary target for insecticide applications at this time (Table 2). For management recommendations for SWD in blueberry and other berry crops, reference Rutgers Cooperative Extension Factsheet FS1246 and SWD Insecticides for Berries.

Table 2. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot Traps

Table 3. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle Traps

Scale: We continue to monitor scale crawler activity for both terrapin scale and Putnam scale. We observed a decline in crawler activity (Table 4) and scale infestations on fruit (Table 5).

Table 4. Scale Traps

Table 5. Scale infestation on fruit

The IPM team has observed anthracnose on ‘Duke’ blueberries, as well as mummy berry and Alternaria fruit rot. Alternaria incidence can increase due to injuries from mechanical harvesting, which create entry points for infection.

For blueberry production and management recommendations, please reference the recently revised 2026 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey.

We continue to capture Grape berry moth in pheromone traps, which have slightly increased in number, indicating adults are actively in flight. Applications for GBM using Intrepid or Diamides should be made at 810 DD base 47°F from wild grape or native grape varieties (Concords were at trace bloom on 5/19 in southern counties). Other effective materials can be applied a few days later. We are past the projected treatment window as predicted by the NEWA Grape Berry Moth model; however, you can monitor bunches to determine if further treatment is needed. Check especially on edge rows near the woods. If 5% of clusters show damage, then treatment is justified.

Japanese beetle pressure is increasing in vineyards throughout the state. Vines with well-developed canopies can withstand some Japanese beetle pressure, but where vines are stressed and vigor is reduced, see the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information on insecticides effective against this pest.

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.  

The number of pear trees showing symptoms of shoot blight has increased. When blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.  

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.  

Bacterial spot: Growers should continue to manage symptoms with oxytetracycline and lower copper rates, particularly during rainy periods and severe weather. Avoid combining copper with captan, especially following extended cloudy or slow-drying conditions.  

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

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: Crawler emergence is active in orchards across the state (Figure 3). If you had known high populations of scale last year, it is important to note if crawlers are present, even if you treated with oil in the early spring. If crawlers are present, then treatment options include Movento, Esteem, Centaur, Sivanto, and neonicotinoids (suppression only). Movento, Esteem, and Centaur should be applied at the start of crawler emergence.  

Figure 3. San Jose scale crawlers on a peach branch. Photo by Dave Schmitt.

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. 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: Recent fruit feeding injury remains low.   

Lesser and Greater Peachtree Borers: We continue to trap high numbers of both lesser and greater peachtree borers. 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  

Scouting was conducted last week across 177 commercial and organic blueberry fields in Burlington and Atlantic Counties. Field evaluations focused primarily on fruit inspections for pest injury and assessments of aphid infestations on newly developing terminals.  

Leafroller and Plum Curculio: Monitoring of developing fruit indicated a decline in feeding and/or oviposition injury caused by leafrollers and plum curculio (Table 1).  

Table 1. Fruit Monitoring Data  

Aphids: Aphid populations declined slightly compared with the previous week, with average colony sizes remaining low at approximately 1–5 aphids per shoot (Table 2). 

Table 2: Aphid Infestation on New Terminals  

Trap Monitoring: Spotted-wing drosophila (Table 3), sharp-nosed leafhoppers (Table 4), and oriental beetle (Table 4) trap captures increased this week. At this time, spotted-wing drosophila is the primary target pest for insecticide applications.  

Table 3. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot Traps  

Table 4. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle Traps

Cranberry fruitworm and Cherry fruitworm: Trap captures indicate that activity has decreased (Table 5). 

Table 5. Cranberry/Cherry Fruitworm Traps

Scale: Crawler activity of both terrapin scale and Putnam scale continues to increase (Table 6). Growers who observed scale infestations last season should begin considering management options at this time. During last week’s scouting, scale-infested fruit were detected in some fields (Table 7).  

Table 6. Scale Traps  

As harvest approaches, SWD remains the primary target for insect management. When selecting insecticides, special consideration should be given to products with shorter pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) that provide effective control of these pests while also helping suppress scale crawler populations and other pest populations above threshold levels. See the Blueberry Bulletin or Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for recommendations.

The IPM scouting team has observed anthracnose symptoms in some ‘Duke’ fields. Growers should continue to monitor susceptible varieties and consult the Rutgers Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for current fungicide recommendations and management options.  

Grape Berry Moth (GBM): Adult GBM captures in pheromone traps have slightly increased, indicating the start of the second-generation flight. Applications targeting GBM with Intrepid or diamide insecticides should be made at 810 DD (base 47°F) from wild grape bloom or native grape varieties (Concords were at trace bloom on May 19 in southern counties). Other effective materials can be applied a few days later.

As of June 16, Gloucester County has accumulated 637 DD (base 47°F), placing the projected treatment window between June 22–26. The NEWA Grape Berry Moth Model works best when growers enter their own bloom dates. Since bloom has been highly variable this season, growers may also use January 1^st as a biofix. Using a January 1^st biofix, second-generation treatments should be timed at 1200–1400 DD (base 47°F). Refer to the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for specific management options.

Note: Adult GBM captures have remained low, and delayed fruit development has been observed across the state. To determine whether treatment is warranted, monitor clusters several days before the anticipated spray timing, particularly on vineyard edges adjacent to wooded areas. Treatment is justified when 5% of clusters show injury.

Figure 4. Corolla tissue is still attached to developing grapes.

Bloom is the critical period for protecting clusters from downy mildew, powdery mildew, black rot, Botrytis bunch rot, and ripe rot. Additional information on bloom-time fungicide programs is available in this Virginia Tech blog post by Dr. Mizuho Nita.

During bloom, we have observed corolla tissue remaining attached to developing fruit (Figure 4).

Cool, damp conditions favor Botrytis development, and infections can establish on retained corolla tissue. Therefore, maintaining fungicide coverage for Botrytis as fruit develops will be important. Recommended materials can be found in the New Jersey Commercial Grape Production Guide.