Jul 10, 2018

Managing apple maggots with insecticides

Moderate levels of apple maggot adult emergence have been detected at the Michigan State University Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville, Michigan, following late June rainfall events. Controlling apple maggots has been traditionally achieved with organophosphate insecticides, like Imidan. Synthetic pyrethroid compounds, like Asana, Warrior, Danitol, Battalion, Mustang Max and Baythroid, are also toxic to adult fruit flies, but are generally viewed to bemoderately effective because they have a shorter field residual. There are several reduced-risk and organophosphate-replacement insecticide products that include apple maggot on their labels.

The neonicotinoids Belay, Admire and Assail are labeled for apple maggot control. They have limited lethal action on adult apple maggots, but provide strong curative activity on eggs and larvae. The Spinosyn compounds Delegate and Entrust are active on apple maggots when ingested, but have shown to be only fair control materials in field trials with high pest pressure, thus are labeled for apple maggot suppression only.

The Diamide compound Exirel and premix Minecto Pro (diamide plus avermectin) are active on apple maggots and labeled for population suppression. Leverage, Voliam Flexi and Endigo are pre-mix compounds that are labeled for apple maggot control.

* OMRI-approved for organic production.

** Predator mite toxicity rating.

*** Effectiveness rating of insecticides (2017 Fruit Management Guide, MSU Extension bulletin E154).

–  John Wise, Michigan State University

Photo at top: Oviposition punctures appear as small, reddish spots. Photo: Bernard Drouin, Ministry of Ag., Fisheries, and Food