Most growers know that codling moths in the lower Midwest do not behave the same as codling moths in more northern apple growing areas. We usually do not have distinct generations. Here is a graph showing my weekly pheromone trap catches at the Meigs Farm near Lafayette. Notice that the counts have never gone down[Read More…]
Insect Management
We caught our first spotted wing drosophila adults in traps in Elkhart County over the weekend. We can assume that they will be flying and laying their eggs in developing fruit of grape, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry from this point until the end of the season. In addition to checking traps, growers should be inspecting[Read More…]
It’s time for apple growers to begin looking for European red mites. ERM can be a serious problem, reducing the yield and quality of this year’s crop as well as reducing fruit buds for next year. Most growers know the area of their orchard where they first see ERM problems. Generally, populations will start to[Read More…]
It will soon be time to put your spotted wing drosophila traps in place. Recent research has shown that the commercially available SWD traps are as good as or better than the homemade traps that we have been recommending. Most significantly, we don’t have to mess with the sugar/yeast mixture anymore. We have had good[Read More…]
I received one of the most unusual samples to identify last week that I’ve seen during my time at Purdue. The sample contained almond nuts that were severely damaged by plum curculio. First, I didn’t know we could grow almonds in Indiana and, second, I didn’t know that plum curculio was a pest of almonds.[Read More…]
I have seen some pretty impressive infestations of overwintering San Jose scale this spring. These infestations re-emphasize the importance of putting on a dormant oil spray each spring, as scales are one of the pests controlled by that application. SJS overwinters as an immature and is now at the point of maturing. Shortly after, they[Read More…]
I achieved biofix today (May 9) in our orchard at the Meigs Farm near Lafayette. I have also talked to other growers who had also caught 3-5 moths or more in their pheromone traps. For me, I had caught one moth last week and caught three more over the weekend. This constitutes a sustained flight and[Read More…]
Everyone knows that pollinators, including but not limited to honey bees, are important for the production of fruit crops. A big topic in recent years has been the stresses that reduce honey bee populations. Although not most important, pesticides are one factor that can reduce the populations of pollinators. Here are some things fruit growers[Read More…]
Apple growers should have their codling moth pheromone traps in place now. See the April 12 edition of Facts for Fancy Fruit for details of where traps and pheromone lures can be purchased. Traps should be checked for moths several times per week, if not daily. Pheromone lures should be replace about every 3 weeks.[Read More…]