Weekly Report 6/24/24

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.

This week, apples approach terminal bud set in many locations across the week. Over the course of the previous week (6/17-24), weather was seasonally appropriate for the solstice. A very hot week, with highs in the 90’s (F), with extreme humidity. Sporadic, isolated storms took place across the state, with heavy winds a few reports of damage. Rainfall recorded at NEWA stations ranged from  0.1” to 3” depending on locations, mostly over the weekend (6/22-23). Most locations that were very dry are now caught up on soil moisture. A cooler trend moved across most of the state the week of 6/24-30 with wind, less humid, rain at the end of the week. Return to warm conditions is expected, with 6-10 outlooks NOAA climate prediction center near normal temperatures with average or slightly higher than average precipitation; and the 8-14 day outlook predicting a return to warmer than average temps and average precipitation. Overall, 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. There was a considerable amount of precipitation recorded at many NEWA stations across the state from . A few scattered storms brought approx. . 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 for the first generation was recorded for OFM late April or early May and we expect the second generation soon. The initial spray should be applied when eggs begin to hatch for each generation. It is too soon to apply a control spray against the second generation of OFM. The first eggs hatch at 150-200 degree days since trap catch. 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 second generation of codling moth is beginning in many locations across the state. Insecticides should be applied when the eggs from the second generation of CM begin to hatch, which usually occurs about 200-250 DD Base 50 after the moth flight begins. Alternatively, the second generation egg hatch can be estimated using the biofix for the first generation, where egg hatch usually begins at approximately 1200-1250 DD after the first generation biofix. The biofix was set at both Cornell AgriTech research stations in mid-May (Highland and Geneva). A pesticide application is recommended for management at the time of larval emergence and again 10-14 days afterward.

• 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 -6/24

*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.