Weekly Report 8/5/24

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 continued to size and color, and trees continue to approach terminal bud set in many locations across the state. Overall, phenology and degree days are still 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. Harvest is expected to be a week or more ahead of normal.

Starting with a quick recap of the month of July: this month saw many extreme weather events. This July was one of the all-time hottest months on record for a number of sites in the NE region. it was the hottest July on record for some cities, including Albany, NY and Hartford, CT and the second hottest for Syracuse, NY, Baltimore, MD, Concord, NH, Worcester, MA, and Portland, ME. Most of NY was 2-4 degrees F warmer than average. There was excessive rainfall in some places, with >200% rainfall in parts of northern NY (7-8” in a single day); Binghamton, NY experienced the 6th wettest on record. On the other hand, there was significant drought in some parts of the Northeast, mostly in states other than NY (primarily southern NH/VT, Western PA and WV).

Storms were reported in many places over several weeks, with reports of significant wind and tornadoes; New York had the most (12) tornadoes on record for July. Governor Hochul announced state of emergency making $11 million in funding available for homeowners and municipalities. We recommend you reach out to your local township for more information.

The week of 7/29, weather was slightly less extreme than the worst part of July, with more heat and humidity but slightly more moderate. Mostly highs in the upper 80’s F, and lows remaining in the upper 60-70’s across the state. A few rain events were reported, with 1-2″ of accumulation reported at most of the NEWA weather stations across the state.

Weather continues to be warm and humid, but more moderate than previous weeks. The week of August 5, Tropic Storm Debby was expected to bring considerable amounts of rain and wind to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Both 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center continue to forecast much hotter than average temperatures 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 second generation peak flight is over and second generation larvae are emerging. Across the state, NEWA models predict second generation peak egg hatch has passed and an insecticide targeting this insect should have been applied last week or the week before, another application should be considered at 10-14 days after the first application. However, not all sites have trap captures, emphasizing the importance of site-specific management. 

The biofix for the first generation was recorded for OFM late April or early May in most places across the state. The initial spray should be applied when eggs begin to hatch for each generation. The first eggs hatch at 150-200 degree days since trap catch. 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 flight is over in most locations across the state. Second generation peak egg hatch has passed and an insecticide targeting this insect should have been applied last week or the week before; another application should be considered at 10-14 days after the first application.

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 1200-1300 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. The week of 7/8 or 7/15 would have been appropriate 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.

Some fruit damage is evident in unmanaged locations from the first generation. Where the first generation was successfully managed, there will be less pressure from the second generation. Typically this insect enters from the side of the fruit or the calyx and tunnels directly to the center of the fruit where it feeds on the seeds. Abundant burnt orange frass is evident from the entry and exit holes in the fruit.

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

The second generation larvae can be tricky to time, below is a table estimating larval emergence date, but it is important to pay attention to specific moth flights at your location for accurate timing. Dates of 1st and 2nd generation larvae are highly dependent on biofix date.

Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR)

Flight is over in most locations throughout the state and larvae are now very large. It is too late to be applying an insecticide targeting caterpillars at this time. We continue to see larval damage in many locations that are not managed, look for rolled, webbed leaf terminals and feeding on the skin and just under the skin on fruit. It is a good idea to break apart clusters where these caterpillars like to hide out.

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.

• 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)

The adult flight of this insect is over or declining across the state and it is too late for an insecticide application targeting this insect.

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)

Trap captures continued to increase in some locations this week, with known high pressure. Pressure is likely to continue and potential increase following the heavy rain over the past two weeks. Coverage should be maintained through August. However, trap captures have decreased or remain very low in some location, and most have not reached thresholds for treatment. Be paying attention to traps at your specific location. Threshold for this insect is an average of 5 flies per trap, for baited traps. Traps used for AM are the red plastic spheres coated with tanglefoot; the lure is scented (rather than a pheromone), and can be either apple/pear essence or ammonium acetate.

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. 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.

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 – 7/29

*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.