Weekly Report 6/3/24

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.

Across the state continued warm weather continues to push 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. At this point most chemical thinning is finished or nearly so; in the Hudson Valley fruit diameter is ranging from 20-30+ mm, with similar phenology in Western NY and the Capital region, and in the Champlain Valley just about a week behind.

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 flight is now tapering off. This week is a good time for many locations to be applying an insecticide targeting larvae. 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 is predicted at approximately petal fall.

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

Codling Moth (CM)

Flight continues for Codling Moth over the past two weeks. Similar to OFM, trap captures are not reported in all locations, indicating lower or well-managed populations in orchards. 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. Larval emergence will begin at approximately 200-250 DD Base 50 after the biofix. A pesticide application is recommended at the time of larval emergence and again 10-14 days later. This week is also a good time in many parts of the state to be applying insecticides targeting egg hatch and larval emergence.

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

Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR)

First captures were reported in a few locations as early as mid-May; in Washington County on May 13, and in Saratoga, Geneva, and Ithaca the week of May 20. First trap captures were reported in Hudson Valley locations last week (week of May 27) and sustained capture this week. 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.

• 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)

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.

• 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.

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 -6/3

*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.