Weekly Report – 4/29/24

Over the past few weeks, orchards across the state have been busy! Each week I’ll be providing a short summary of trap captures and pest activity in orchards from across NY State.

Now is the time of year to be checking traps and recording the first biofixes for economically significant insects. Many orchards across the state are now in bloom or will be approaching it soon. It’s a good time to be placing the first traps. Oriental fruit moth (OFM) and codling moth (CM) are among the first lepidopteran insects to be active. OFM Biofix was established over the past few weeks in most parts of the state.

What’s a biofix?

A biofix is a biological indicator, observed in the field/orchard, used to start model calculations. Many models use a unique biofix, which must be recorded at the particular location of interest. Examples include 50% green tip, first sustained moth trap catch. Specific biofixes used in NEWA can be found online: https://newa.cornell.edu/default–biofix–dates/  

For OFM the biofix is the sustained capture of moths, meaning at least two weeks in a row of adult captures. It is used to predict moth flight and the timing of egg laying and egg hatch. More information on the NEWA Model can be found on the NEWA website, in the OFM NEWA Model  and in this NEWA Quick Guide. You can see OFM activity (total trap captures) across the state over time on the home page of this website, using the map filters to adjust to a specific time frame or location.

OFM trap captures have been recorded in many locations, but only a few places has there been a biofix established at this time.

If you are interested in participating in the Tree Fruit Monitoring Network all the instructions can also be found on the Tree Fruit Pest Monitoring Network website under ‘For Collaborators.’ Data submission should be done through the Google Form.

Phenology & Degree Day Accumulations for NY NEWA Stations from 1/1 -4/29

Upcoming Phenology & Pest Events

Reference: Table 7.1.4. Degree-day accumulations (from Jan. 1) corresponding to selected fruit phenology and
arthropod pest events. Cornell Tree Fruit Guidelines.