Insects and other arthropods are cold-blooded (or more technically, poikilothermic), which means that they don’t generate their own body heat like we do, but must rely on the environment for their heat. Each insect has its own developmental threshold, a temperature below which no development takes place. For many insects, such as codling moth, that[Read More…]
Insect Management
Woolly apple aphids seems to be an increasing problem with a growing number of fruit growers. One of the difficulties with this pest is that it has both an aboveground form that feeds like most other aphids and a subterranean form that feeds on the roots. Both need to be controlled. After consulting with a[Read More…]
One of the first and most important parts of a good insect and mite management program is the application of an early season oil spray to control European red mites, San Jose scale, and several species of aphids. Scales overwinter on the tree as nymphs and European red mites and aphids overwinter as eggs. Because[Read More…]
One way insects communicate with individuals of the same species is with pheromones. Pheromones are volatile chemicals released by an insect that usually can be detected only by individuals of the same species. There are a number of different types of pheromones, but the most common type is the sex pheromone. Usually the females will[Read More…]
The Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide is updated each year by the Midwest Fruit Workers group to provide the most complete information and recommendations for controlling weeds, diseases and insect pests of all major fruit crops grown in the Midwest. For the past three years, the guide has combined information on tree fruit, small fruit[Read More…]
From my own observations and reports from growers, it appears that Japanese beetle populations are higher than they have been for a number of years. I’ve seen severe damage to small fruits, as well as the Pristine apple tree in my backyard. In addition, after insecticides are applied to knock them down, populations reappear after[Read More…]
Rick Foster noted in the previous issue that Japanese beetles were out. Wow are they ever! I haven’t seen them this bad in years. Small fruit growers should monitor their crops and control the beetles if necessary. Japanese beetles will feed on ripening fruit of brambles and blueberries, and on foliage of all small fruit[Read More…]
For those of you who follow me or Peter on Twitter, you know that last week I found SWD larvae in raspberries at the Meigs Farm near Lafayette. Small fruit growers should be into their rigorous spray schedules now. If fruit are ripe or ripening, growers should be spraying approximately every 5 days. The available[Read More…]
Last year some apple growers reported damage from brown marmorated stink bugs, particularly in the northern counties. BMSB will also attack peaches and other fruit, as well as a number of vegetables. Now is the time that growers should be watching for BMSB and its damage. There are a number of commercially available traps that[Read More…]
Although I have not received any reports of problems with European red mites in apples, now is the time when growers should be scouting for infestations. Most growers know where mite problems show up first, either a particular variety (i.e, Red Delicious) or along a gravel road. Check those spots first and expand your scouting[Read More…]