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

FRUIT
AND
VEGETABLES

North Carolina Pest News
Volume 12, Number 1, April 25, 1997
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: James F. Walgenbach, Extension Entomologist, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, Fletcher

Apple Insect Pests

The cool weather of the last 2-3 weeks has slowed insect populations considerably. The dates of the first catch of insects in codling moth pheromone traps (Biofix) ranged from April 1 in the Piedmont production areas to April 10 in the Mountains. The first insecticide spray for codling moth should be timed at about 250 degree days after biofix. In Henderson County, there have been 60 degree days since biofix, while in Polk County there have been 170 degree days since biofix. Hence, the first spray will need to be applied in about 7 (in Polk County) to 14 days (in Henderson County).

Apple growers choosing to use Agri-Mek for preventive control of mites and leafminers should be aware this material should be applied within 2 weeks of petal fall, and that either a highly refined oil (1 gallon per acre) or penetrating surfactant must be added. Agri-Mek has translaminar activity, and these adjuvants are needed to ensure that the chemical enters leaf cells. I have become aware of instances where Agri-Mek has been used alone without a penetrating surfactant, and it is doubtful that the product will work under those circumstances. Failure to add a penetrator is a very costly mistake.

Web page last updated on April 28, 1997 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr..

This Web version is a cooperative effort between the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and the Center for Integrated Pest Management