Sep 12, 2011Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – Be vigilant and use most effective options
With about 4 to 5 more weeks of the current growing season to go, it is extremely important that growers continue to stay vigilant and respond immediately when the pressure from incoming brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) adults starts to increase. Although it varies for each cultivar, right now is the time for the use of the most effective options, with the shortest PHI. Not every orchard will need special BMSB treatments but very detailed visual observations are necessary to assess the real need for these treatments. The August issue of the Fruit Times Newsletter provides suggestions for a late season stink bug control.
The insect pest control updates presented below are for the south-central part of Pennsylvania based on observations in Adams County, Pa.
- The brown marmorated stinkbug (BMSB) adults are actively feeding in apple orchards. Even blocks with already harvested fruit seem to be serving as good enough locations to harbor migrating BMSB adults. Just before the BMSB adults start invading all kind of dwellings in their search for overwintering shelters, they will try to feed on any food available. And with fruit still being around, our orchards may represent the best source of available nutrients. At this moment big numbers of older BMSB nymphs (4th and 5th instar) and adults are present on soybean and corn plants as well as wild ornamental trees in the vicinity of many orchards. As we go into fall, we expect that the movement of BMSB adults and pre-overwintering intensive feeding by BMSB adults from outside hosts into orchards will become the main source of injuries of fruit. While the nymphal feeding in most orchards was effectively reduced by well-timed insecticide treatments, the feeding by continuously wandering BMSB adults is more difficult to control.
- The codling moth (CM) third generation moths are gradually ceasing their activity in most Pennsylvania orchards. Due to discrepancies observed between the predictive CM egg hatch model and the actual situation in the orchards, we strongly recommend the use of actual observations from an orchard as the main factor in deciding if and/or when the control measures are necessary. Applications of various products against brown marmorated stink bug should also provide adequate control of remaining codling moth larvae.
- The Oriental fruit moth larvae continues to injure apple fruit. Some loads of fruit were already rejected by local processors for the presence of live larvae in the fruit. Similarly as with the CM, please use the actual local orchard observations (e.g., pheromone trap data and/or fruit injuries from earlier generation) as the main factor deciding about necessity for OFM control.
- The 2011 season biofix for the Oriental fruit moth was established on April 19; codling moth on May 7, tufted apple bud moth on May 11, spotted tentiform leafminer on April 06 and red banded leafroller on April 5, for obliquebanded leafroller the biofix was established on May 29.
Originally posted on the Penn State University Extension website.
