Weekly Report 6/17/24

Each week we’ll provide a short summary of trap captures and pest activity in orchards from across NY State. Look for more detail and regionally specific management recommendations from your local CCE and regional teams.

A heatwave is impacting the entire state and Northeast region this week, with highs in the upper 80’s in most locations and lows in the 50-60’s (F). Temperatures began increasing at the end of last week and are continuing through this week. Phenology and degree days well ahead of 15 and 30 year averages, according to regional specialists’ updates and the Climate Smart Farming Tool Degree Day Calculator created by Cornell. We’ve also moved into a very dry period, with less than 0.01″ of precipitation recorded at many NEWA stations across the state from 6/10-17. A few scattered storms brought approx. 1/4″ of rainfall to isolated locations in Western NY early in the week. Hotter than average conditions and close to average precipitation are predicted for the next two weeks, according to the 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.

Visit the Dynamic map on the home page to see insect activity for specific regions, locations, or dates.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM)

Where a considerable population of OFM is present, the biofix was recorded for OFM late April or early May and we are now between generations. However, not all sites have trap captures, emphasizing the importance of site-specific management. The biofix for this insect is set after sustained trap capture is recorded (at least two consecutive weeks of trap captures). Use the initial date of these first two weeks in a row for the biofix in the NEWA model. Larval emergence will begin at petal fall. A pesticide application is recommended for management at the time of larval emergence and again 10-14 days afterward.

• Geneva-AgriTech – First capture: April 29 & Sustained Capture: May 6
• Highland-HVRL – First capture: April 22 & Sustained Capture: April 29

Codling Moth (CM)

The tail end of the first generation of codling moth is still being detected in trap captures in most locations across the state. At this time, trap captures are declining in some locations; in other locations captures are starting to increase as part of a ‘B-peak’ of the first generation. The biofix was set at both Cornell AgriTech research stations in mid-May (Highland and Geneva). The biofix for this insect is also the first sustained trap capture, and the first trap capture in the two consecutive weeks should be used in the NEWA model. 200-250 DD Base 50 after the biofix. A pesticide application is recommended for management at the time of larval emergence and again 10-14 days afterward. It is too late to apply control sprays at this time because egg hatch is almost over and late sprays will not prevent fruit damage that has occurred earlier in the season.

• Geneva-AgriTech – First capture: May 6 & Sustained Capture: May 13
• Highland-HVRL – First capture: May 6 & Sustained Capture: May 13

Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR)

Flight continues in most locations throughout the state. First capture at the HVRL was the week of June 3, this also coincided with first trap capture at most commercial locations. In a few locations, first captures were earlier, including Geneva, Saratoga and Washington counties, and Cornell Orchards in Ithaca. Average OBLR 1st adult trap capture for Geneva is: 884 ± 90 DD Base 43 or 523 ± 62 DD Base 50, with an average date of 9-Jun ± 6 days. This year, first capture is much earlier (nearly two weeks) in some locations than averages recorded for Geneva. Scout for larval feeding on terminals at 600-700 DD after the biofix. In orchards with a history of heavy infestation and OBLR damage, a pesticide is recommended targeting emerging larvae at approximately 350 DD. At most locations, where first moths were detected the week of June 3, next week (the week of June 24) will be a good time to sample for larvae in leaf terminals and fruit clusters to determine if summer control sprays are necessary. It is too late to apply an insecticide, but residual activity from an initial protective spray will control hatching larvae at this time.

• Washington County – First capture: May 13 & Sustained Capture: May 20
• Geneva-AgriTech – First capture: May 20 & Sustained Capture: May 27
• Highland-HVRL – First capture: May 27 & Sustained Capture: June 3

Dogwood Borer (DWB)

Continued flight of this insect is being reported in a few locations, but has not been detected at all locations. First trap capture (5 adults) were reported for Geneva, Cornell AgriTech and in Saratoga County on May 20; and in Ithaca on May 27, and Highland at the HVRL on June 3. This is 1-2 weeks earlier than usual. Average degree day accumulation for Dogwood Borer 1st adult catch is: 964 ± 230 DD43 or 571 ± 151 DD50, with an average date of 12-Jun ± 9 days. More evidence that this season is much earlier than usual for Western NY. Identification of this insect is critical, as it can be easily confused with other clearwinged moths such as peachtree borer and lesser peachtree borer.

• Geneva-AgriTech, Saratoga , & Lansing – First capture: May 20 & Sustained Capture: May 27
• Ithaca – First capture: May 27 & Sustained Capture: June 3
• Highland-HVRL – First capture: June 3

Apple Maggot (AM)

This pest typically emerges early in July, with first catch in Geneva reported on average: 1509 ± 285 DD Base 43 after Jan. 1, or  973 ± 206 Base 50, with average first capture dates 4-Jul ± 12 days. However, this season DD accumulation is nearly 1-2 weeks ahead of average dates, and we are hearing reports of earlier and earlier AM emergence across the Northeast. Now may be an appropriate time to start monitoring for this insect. The first trap capture was reported in Highland at the Hudson Valley Research Laboratory on Friday, 6/21. First trap capture was also reported in Riverhead this week. Fruit is not yet susceptible to this insect; in addition, females still need time to mate and lay eggs. The hot weather will accelerate the development of this insect, but management is not appropriate at this time.

Data for OFM, CM, and OBLR for all locations reporting data are shared below, thank you to all participating collaborators! In addition, tables for degree day accumulations in the season to date are shared.  Upcoming phenology and pest events are also reported, based on Table 7.1.4 from the Cornell Tree Fruit Guidelines.

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM) Captures per Week

Codling Moth (CM) Trap Captures per Week

Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR) Trap Captures per Week

Phenology & Degree Day Accumulations for NY NEWA Stations from 1/1 -6/17

*all DDs Baskerville-Emin, B.E

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.