Departments of Plant Pathology and Entomology
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
North Carolina State University

FRUIT
AND
VEGETABLES

North Carolina Pest News
Volume 11, Number 17, August 9, 1996
Stephen J. Toth, Jr. and Thomas A. Melton, editors

The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to North Carolina and may not apply in other areas.

From: Kenneth A. Sorensen, Extension Entomologist

Pecan Weevil Emergence Period

Pecan weevil catches from pyramidal traps in several North Carolina counties are provided below:

Columbus County:
August 2 - 3 males and 3 females (2 inches of rain)
August 7 - 7 males and 9 females (2 inches of rain)

Pamlico County:
August 5 - 1 male

Wayne County:
July 29 - 1 male
August 2 - 1 male
August 5 - 2 males

Adult pecan weevil emergence has begun and the recent significant rains greater than 0.5 inches have contributed to emergence activity throughout eastern North Carolina. The emergence period should extend into early September with peak emergence in mid August. Treatments of the insecticide Sevin to the foliage and/or to the ground from the drip line to the trunk should be made now and continued weekly as long as adults are present. There has been some observations of nut fall and pecan weevil larvae in immature nuts in the Bladen County area. Close monitoring of weevil traps and spray operations are critical for August.

Pecan weevils are continuing to emerge from the ground. Ten percent of the weevils will crawl up trunks and can be monitored by use of burlap wrapped trunks or pyramid traps. Insecticide sprays with Sevin may be helpful, but sanitation is critical. Clean up all prematurely fallen nuts with or without shucks intact. Legless weevil grubs (present in the nuts) will soon be leaving the nuts to enter the soil over the next two months. The characteristic pencil lead-sized hole often seen in hollow fallen pecans is the exit hole of pecan weevil larva.

Some stink bugs have been collected in sex pheromone and black light insect traps. The insecticide Sevin will help manage stink bugs. Nearby fields should be monitored and mowing that drives bugs into the tree canopy should be watched.

For more information on pecan insect pests, refer to Fruit Insect Note Number P-2 on pecan insects and their management.

Web page last updated on August 12, 1996 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr..