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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Plum
Codling Moth
Scientific name: Cydia pomonella
(Reviewed 5/06,
updated 5/06)
In this Guideline:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST
Larvae are
white to pinkish caterpillars with brown to black heads. Adult moths have gray wings with a copper spot on each wing tip. After overwintering as
mature larvae in silken cells under loose bark on the tree, moths emerge from
March to May. Adults mate and lay eggs;
larvae feed on small fruit. A second generation appears in June and often a
third one in August, depending on temperatures.
DAMAGE
Fruit feeding by the codling moth has resulted in a high percentage
of unmarketable fruit in some orchards. Codling moth larvae usually tunnel all
the way to the pits of fruit; extrusions
of frass or excrement are often found at the entrance of the larval tunnels.
MANAGEMENT
Codling moth is a pest in plums in the San Joaquin Valley that can
be controlled with a single treatment timed using pheromone traps and
degree-days.
Biological Control
An important egg and larval parasite is the braconid
wasp, Ascogaster quadridentata. Natural enemies do help control
codling moth but are unable to keep it below economic injury because it spends
most of its larval stage inside the fruit, where it is protected from predators
and parasites.
Cultural Control
Remove abandoned or unsprayed apple, pear, plum,
apricot, and walnut trees near the plum orchard.
Monitoring and Treatment
Decisions Degree-day calculator Sunset
temperatures Degree-day table
Pheromone traps,
degree-days (DD), and twilight temperatures are used to monitor codling moth
activity. Soon after bud break or by March 15, place pheromone traps in your
orchards to determine first moth emergence. See PHEROMONE TRAPS for more details and record results on a
sampling form.
The first biofix is the first date that moths are consistently found in traps
and sunset temperatures have reached 62°F. To predict egg hatch, begin
accumulating degree-days (DD) from the biofix, using a lower threshold of 50°F
and an upper threshold of 88°F. (For assistance in calculating degree-days, see
"Degree-days".)
Remove trapped insects from the trap bottom after you count and record
information on the monitoring
form .
Population levels of
codling moth vary greatly from one area to another and from one variety of
plums to another. If codling moth has caused damage in previous years, consider
treating for this pest.
First generation egg
hatch. Time the first spray for the beginning of egg
hatch to kill emerging larvae 250-300 DD after the first biofix.
Second and third
generation egg hatch. Use pheromone trap catches to
detect an increase in flight activity around 1060 DD from the previous biofix,
which signals the start of the next moth flight. If treatment is warranted, a
single application is usually sufficient. Make this application when 250 DD
have accumulated from the second or third biofix.
Take a fruit damage
sample at harvest to assess the effectiveness of the current year's IPM program
and to determine the needs of next year's program. See FRUIT EVALUATION
AT HARVEST. Record results
on a monitoring form .
| Common name |
Amount to Use** |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
(conc.) |
(dilute) |
(days) |
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| 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. |
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| A. |
METHOXYFENOZIDE |
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(Intrepid) 2F |
10–16 fl oz |
— |
7 |
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MODE
OF ACTION: An insect growth regulator (Group 18)1 insecticide.
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COMMENTS:
An insect growth regulator that provides 10 to 18 days of residual
protection, depending on the rate of application and nut expansion. Kills
young larvae but does not kill adult moths. It is a reduced risk insecticide
that has little or no effect on beneficial insects and mites. Only use in orchards with
low-to-moderate codling moth populations. Spray coverage is extremely
important. Do not apply to large trees unless adequate spray coverage can be
verified. Use no less than 100 gal water/acre for ground applications.
Sprayer speed should not exceed 1.5 mph. The use of Latron B-1956, CS-7, or
similar sticker/spreader is highly recommended. Apply at the beginning of egg
hatch, which is earlier than organophosphate or carbamate insecticide
timings. It is recommended that methoxyfenozide be applied at 200 DD after
the first biofix. Do not apply more than 24 fl oz/acre/application or more than 64 fl oz/acre/season. |
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| B. |
PHOSMET |
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(Imidan) 70WP |
4.25 lb |
1 lb |
7 |
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MODE
OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
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| C. |
CARBARYL* |
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(Sevin) 80S |
3 lb |
1lb |
1 |
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MODE
OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
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COMMENTS:
May cause increased spider mite problems; not recommended for routine use, especially early in the season. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Plum
UC ANR Publication 3462
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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