Plum Curculio Egg and Larvae

April 20, 2008

In Peaches:
The first plum curculio we trapped were on March 20th. This past Friday, April 18th, we found 3 day old larvae. Appears that first eggs were laid April 12th or 13th. Control strategies based on a calendar basis have begun. Those growers using a targeted spray program were advised to spray this week.

Some feeding scars have been seen in commercial orchards but no larvae were found. Fruit thinning is under way and re-entry intervals for various pesticides should be checked closely.
Examples
Imidan 70W, rei 24 hrs, except CA
Asana XL, rei 12 hrs
Tombstone, rei 12 hrs
Warrior, rei 12 hrs
Captan, rei 24 hrs or 4 days depending on formulation.

Always check the label for the product you are using and follow it. Re-entry intervals are often crop specific.

Fruit thinning is moving along with early varieties about finished and mid and late season varieties now in the process. Fruit are growing well with the good soil moisture and warm days.

Strawberries:
Harvest is under way in central and north Alabama. Fruit quality has been good and only problems have been some two-spotted spider mites in limited locations.

For pest management in small fruit visit the Southern Small Fruit Consortium web site, Pest Management section http://www.smallfruits.org/SmallFruitsRegGuide/index.htm