Plum Curculio Emergence

May 30, 2008

Chilton Research and Extension Center, Central Alabama

Plum curculio larvae that entered the soil approximately April 30 have begun emerging as adults this week. Traps that were set out under peach trees began capturing newly emerged adults Tuesday, May 27. I had placed some larvae in a jar here in my office and the first new adult emerged Wednesday, one day later.

Appears that the majority of new adults coming out are males. Females will soon be following and egg lay will likely begin during the week of June 9th. In our targeted pesticide study we will make our 3rd plum curculio insecticide application next week. Populations of over-wintering adults were lower this year, however, with each female capable of over 100 eggs the population will likely be increasing through the remainder of the summer. This will increase over-wintering adults for 2009.

Leaffooted bugs have been seen in abundance on a number of fruit; peaches, blackberries, and blueberries. On fruit such as peaches the damage is not as noticable unless brown rot disease pressure increases. When this occurs we often see leaffooted bug and stink bug damaged fruit develop brown rot in the area of feeding. This is more often the case within the two week period of final fruit swell. One problem for controlling stink and related insects during final swell is being able to use effective insecticides during that time frame. Phosmet (Imidan) has a preharvest interval of 14 days as well as Asana, Ambush, Pounce, Proaxis, Silencer, and Warrior. Cyfluthrin products, Baythroid, Renounce, and Tombstone can be used up to 7 day preharvest interval.

** We are seeing some two-spotted spider mite problems in blackberries so over use of pyrethroids and drying conditions might cause flareup in peaches.

Peach crop is sizing well and growers are picking up volume as we move through the early peahes. Some varieties have considerable split-pit resulting from cultivar type and excessive thinning from March 25th freeze. Flavor has been excellent of the fruit I've tried.

Light amounts of brown rot and rhizopus rot are showing up. Some preharvest water sprout removal and thinning out the tree middles will help. One of the biggest factors for effective control is water volume and coverage.

Hope to get a report from other areas of Alabama and include this information soon.