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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines


American plum borer larvae bore in scaffold crotches of young trees.

Nectarine

Prune Limb Borer and American Plum Borer

Scientific Names:
Prune Limb Borer: Bondia comonana
American Plum Borer: Euzophera semifuneralis

(Reviewed 6/06, updated 6/06)

In this Guideline:


DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS

Prune limb borer and American plum borer are sporadic pests in young stone fruit orchards from Tehama County to Kern County. Young larvae are white with a large, dark brown head; when mature, larvae are about 1 inch long with a dull white or pinkish body. The larva overwinters in a cocoon within the tree. Adult moths emerge in April and May. Females lay eggs on callus tissue near pruning wounds, in scaffold crotches of young trees, near graft unions, or on crown galls. The forewings of the moth are gray with brown and black marks and have a wingspan of about 0.75 inch.

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 which tend to be very visible if present. 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. Make the first application from mid- to late April and subsequent applications at 6-week intervals.

Common name   P.H.I.+
(trade name) Amount to Use (days)

 
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy, impact on natural enemies and honey bees, and impact of the timing on beneficials. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.
 
A. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) 80S 0.4 lb/gal water 1
  MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Use a hand-held sprayer.
 
B. DIAZINON* 50WP 0.75 lb/gal water 21
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: For in-season use only. Use a hand-held sprayer.
 
 
Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. 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. 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 is 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: Nectarine
UC ANR Publication 3451
Insects and Mites
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
K. R. Day, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insects and mites section:
R. E. Rice, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2006 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 How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r540300911.html revised: June 15, 2006. Contact webmaster.