Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, 5/15/18


We are approaching the time when insecticides for first generation codling moth will need to be initiated. Degree-day accumulations since biofix range from about 200 in Henderson County to 320 off the mountain in Cleveland County. In situations where moderate to high populations exist (i.e., probably observed some damage in 2017), the first spray should be applied at 250 DD. In orchards with low populations (low trap captures and no damage in 2017), the first application can be delayed until about 350 DD, which is predicted to occur next week in Henderson County. In orchards using mating disruption, it is highly unlikely that insecticides for lepidopteran pests (e.g., tufted apple bud moth, codling moth) will be needed until early to mid-June, although pheromone trap captures should be used to mitigate the unexpected. The cooler and rainy weather predicted for the coming days will help to reduce codling moth flight and egg laying.

For those planning to control San Jose scale post bloom with Esteem, Centaur or Movento  applications, sprays should be made by the end of this week for best results.

Finally, emergence of overwintering brown marmorated stink bug adults is about two-thirds complete in Henderson County, with emergence expected to be completed in the next two weeks. Emergence is complete off the mountain in lower-elevation orchards.

To date, numbers have been fairly low in pheromone traps.

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