How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

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 to Use	R.E.I.‡	P.H.I.‡
(trade name)			(hours)	(days)
The following are ranked with the pesticides having the greatest IPM value listed first—the most effective and least harmful to natural enemies, honey bees, and the environment are at the top of the table. When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to air and water quality, resistance management, the pesticide's properties, and application timing. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read the label of the product being listed.
A.	CHLORPYRIFOS*
	(Lorsban Advanced)	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) 4F	2-3 qt/acre	12	1
	MODE-OF-ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: Do not exceed 14 qt/acre/crop.
‡	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/.

PUBLICATION

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

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