Insect Management

  • Scouting Aphids Early

    Over the past two weeks, I’ve seen yellow aphids, black pecan aphids and black pecan aphid damage in orchards in Southeast Georgia. I’ve also talked with many county agents who are seeing the same thing. What do we need to know? And what should we do? Black Pecan Aphids First, remember that black pecan aphid…

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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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  • INSECT UPDATE: Ambrosia Beetles

    This is just a timely reminder to be watchful for ambrosia beetles especially if you have young trees. If you have older trees (>5 yrs old) that were subjected to any stress-inducing factors such as flooding, diseases, root damage, spading, etc., monitor for potential ambrosia beetle attacks on them as well. To know more about…

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  • 2020 Pecan Spray Guides

    Our 2020 Pecan Spray Guides are now available at the link below: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/B%20841_8.PDF

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  • Fire Ants in Pecan Orchards

    The recent wet, unseasonably warm weather has lots of insects on the move. Most of them don’t matter much to pecan growers, but fire ants can be a different story. That’s especially true if the ants build their mounds inside the guards used to protect young trees from herbicide applications. Filling the tubes with dirt…

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  • Twig Girdler Damage on Young Trees

    Growers with young trees may come across this situation in small blocks or trees near woods. We came across some twig girdlers in Washington County last month that appears more like a tall deer bit off every single branch. The broken branches were laying on the ground at the base of the tree. This damage…

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  • Scout for Aphids & Mites in Southeast GA

    Both mite and aphid populations have essentially been stable the past month or month and a half. Throughout this time, I only find a few adult black pecan aphids and no mites. Most of these orchards were sprayed with insecticide targeting aphids also. Finally, last week we saw one spot of mites on Stuart and…

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