Weekly Report 7/1/24

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 continue to approach terminal bud set in many locations across the week. Across the northeast, it has been a ‘sizzling start to summer’ as described by the Northeast Regional Climate Center. A very warm June included record high temperatures and overnight low temperatures in many locations in the Northeast; in NY, most locations have been 2-4 degrees (F) warmer than average. 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.

The past few weeks have been somewhat of a rollercoaster of temperatures and precipitation. Very warm temperatures (highs in the upper 80’s to 90’s F) gave way to a cool front lending a break in temperatures and humidity. More of a cooler trend took place the previous week (6/24-7/1). Severe weather events were reported in many locations in the Northeast, including storms, high winds, isolated reports of hails and funnel cloud sightings. Rainfall continues to be sporadic, very dependent on location. Many NEWA stations recorded significant rainfall over the weekend (6/29-30) ranging 0.1-1.5”. The cooler trend continued early in the first week of July with wind, less humidity, and rain again at the end of the week. 

A return to hot temperatures and storms took place later in the week and expected into the coming week. Highs in mid- to upper-80s are expected across state with storms likely. Both 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecast the next couple of weeks to be much hotter than average with slightly more precipitation than average for the entire state.

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 are seeing moth captures now indicating flight of the second generation in many locations. 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 and/or continuing 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. This week (7/8) or next (7/15) would be good timing for the central Hudson Valley and Western NY for pesticide applications targeting emergence of the second generation. Other locations appear to be a similar timing or slightly later. If you have more than 10-14 days since your last application, a cover spray is recommended at this time.

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

Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR)

Flight is tapering in most locations throughout the state and larvae are now fairly large, particularly in earlier locations. 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, it is too late to apply an insecticide targeting egg hatch and young larvae, but it is still a good time to be scouting terminals and fruits for feeding.

• 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)

First trap captures have been reported in many locations with known pressure, but have not reached thresholds for treatment. 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. Threshold for this insect is an average of 5 flies per trap, for baited traps.

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

Apple Maggot (AM) 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.