Insect Management

  • As we are getting into the early nut development stage, the primary pest of concern for us is the pecan nut casebearer (PNC). Whether we consider PNC to be a serious pest or not, all depends on the crop load in that given year. In a year with heavy crop on the trees, a light…

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  • Insect Update: Bud Moth

    We are in the first stages of pecan budmoth infestation. Last year was a very bad year for budmoth. We are seeing initial signs of infestation on young trees (generally 1—3 years old) as of the first week of April. Identifying budmoth at this time of the year is not easy since worms are very…

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  • There have been anecdotal reports in the past years that flatheaded borers have caused damage to young pecan trees/nursery trees. The injury are characterized by darkened and sunken areas on the outside of the trees (Fig. 1) caused by larval feeding. On young trees, this may cause girdling and even tree death. Larval appear pale…

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  • It’s that time of the year again that these moth pests are out and about. Bud Moth. There have been calls regarding bud moth problems with young trees recently. Symptoms include rolled leaves and dead terminals (pictures below). To confirm infestation, check the rolled leaves and you would find a caterpillar inside. Bud moth adults…

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  • INSECT UPDATE: AMBROSIA BEETLES

    This is our first insect update for this year. It is about that time when we need to be reminded about ambrosia beetles. Why should you be concerned about these beetles? These tree boring beetles (Figure 1) attack many trees in the southeast including pecans. Although trees can recover from attacks by these beetles, the…

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  • Late Season Things to Think About

    We’re getting near the end but still have a little ways to go on the 2023 pecan crop. Most growers are tired of spending money and ready to see it start flowing back in. But, don’t let your guard down yet. August is a critical month for pecan trees. Here are some things you may…

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  • N-Fertilizer Injection We are in the middle of fertilization season again and many are choosing to inject their N through the irrigation system. This is a great way to fertilize pecan trees with N. It’s cheaper and allows you to spoon feed them a little at the time through the season. The trees respond well…

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  • As Andrew mentioned in the last blog post, Dr. Barman has been seeing consistent flights of ambrosia beetle for several weeks now. We are starting to get calls about hits on new plantings. Budbreak is looking to be early this year. Reports of early budbreak of many plants throughout the Southeastern U.S. by those who…

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  • 2023 Ambrosia Beetle Update

    It looks like we are seeing the first flight. Dr. Barman has seen good hits on new trials in Ware County and Brooks County. East Georgia is having consistent flights now (February 20th).There are two particular groups of pecan growers that need to be aware of ambrosia beetle flights: In the 2015 – 2016 era,…

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  • To Spray or Not To Spray Late Season Insects

    We’ve nearly reached the end of the season. Pawnee will likely be ready to shake by the middle or end of next week and we are nearing the end of kernel filling on most other cultivars. I’ve had many calls today about whether or not to spray a pyrethroid for stink bug and/or weevils and…

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  • We would like to extend a welcome the newest member of the UGA Pecan Team—Dr. Apurba Barman! Dr. Barman’s previous position has been as University of California Cooperative Extension IPM advisor at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center in the Imperial Valley. Dr. Barman earned a bachelor’s degree at Assam Agricultural University in India,…

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