UC IPM Online UC ANR home page UC IPM home page

UC IPM Home

SKIP navigation

 

How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines


Larva of American plum borer.

Cherry

American Plum Borer

Scientific Name: Euzophera semifuneralis

(Reviewed 11/09, updated 11/09)

In this Guideline:


DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The forewings of the adult moth are gray with brown and black markings. The wingspan in about 0.75 inch. Young larvae are white with a large, dark brown head. Mature larvae are about 1 inch long, dusky white, pinkish or dull green in color. Reddish orange frass, webbing, and gum pockets indicate their presence. They overwinter as mature larvae in a cocoon within the tree. There are three to four generations each year.

DAMAGE

Larvae bore into the tree, leaving reddish orange frass and gum pockets. The boring is most damaging to the scaffold crotches or graft unions of young trees. Vigorous trees will heal over, but with heavy, prolonged infestations, scaffolds may break with wind or a heavy crop.

MANAGEMENT

Monitor young orchards in spring and summer for frass and gum pockets. If larvae are present, spray trees from 1 foot above the scaffold crotch to 1 foot below, two to three times during the growing season. The first application should be mid- to late April and subsequent applications at 6-week intervals.

Common name Amount/Acre R.E.I.+ P.H.I.+
(trade name)   (hours) (days)

  Calculate impact of pesticide on air quality
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
 
A. CHLORPYRIFOS*
  (Lorsban Advanced, 4EC) 1.5–3 qt/100 gal water 4 days 21
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
  COMMENTS: Use chlorpyrifos for the first application. In Central Valley orchards where harvest is to begin in mid- to late May, move treatment up to allow 6 days for preharvest interval. Apply as a trunk spray, avoiding contact with foliage or premature leaf drop may occur. Uniformly cover trunk and the wood of the lower branches. Do not make more than 3 applications/season or allow meat or dairy animals to graze in treated orchards. Avoid drift and runoff into surface water or choose alternative materials. Chlorpyrifos has been found in surface waters at levels that violate federal and state water quality standards.
 
B. DIAZINON* 50WP 1 lb/100 gal water 4 days 21
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
  COMMENTS: Do not exceed 4 lb diazinon 50WP/acre. Avoid drift and tailwater runoff into surface waters.
 
C. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) 80S 3.75–5 lb/acre 12 1
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
  COMMENTS: Do not exceed 17.5 lb Sevin 80S/acre.
 
+ Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
J. L. Caprile, UC Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa County
W. W. Coates, UC Cooperative Extension, San Benito County
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
J. Colyn, Mid-Valley Ag. Services
M. Devencenzi, Devencenzi Ag. Pest Mgmt. and Research
P. McKenzie, Mid-Valley Ag. Services

Top of page


Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2009 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See our Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r105302111.html revised: November 24, 2009. Contact webmaster.