Insect Management

  • Just a quick update here. If you have had problems with black pecan aphids (BPA) and/or anticipate having problems with them in certain blocks that are vulnerable to their infestation, spraying gibberellic acid (Pro Gibb 4%, ProGibb LV Plus) at this time of the season is an option. Gibberellic acid is a plant growth regulator…

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  • Southeast District July Update

    Crop is looking good and nuts are sizing fast now. Fruit sizes large on hot days and warm nights. Following June rains, we have been dry in the middle part of the Southeast and could use some rain. Many growers have noted scab not being as severe, and this of course is mostly due to…

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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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  • May/June Beetles

    We have been seeing and hearing about damage from May beetles around the state. I saw some damage in the Southeast District this week as well. Since the adult beetles feed at night, it’s difficult to be sure what is going on. You see the typical chewing damage on the leaves and terminals (Figs. 1…

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  • Beneficial Insects in Orchards

    With the month being dry, growers have reduced fungicide sprays. This has  also cut back on some insecticide sprays where we sometimes throw in an insecticide with the fungicide. It has been very obvious which orchards were treated with a broad spectrum insecticide – generally chlorpyrofos or pyrethroid. The only yellow aphid populations I’m seeing…

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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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  • Statewide we are seeing in general that the female flower crop has been surprisingly good on most varieties, with the exception of the large, old Stuart trees. Stuart wasn’t expected to make much of a comeback this year as a result of a generally heavy year in 2018 plus the effects of the hurricane, and…

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