For the most part insect activity is relatively low throughout the western region, including the piedmont and mountain production areas. With the exception of emergence of second generation codling moth adults in lower elevation orchards in the piedmont, and a slight uptick in oriental fruit moth captures (but overall very low), the biggest concerns at this time are key secondary pests such as European red mite, leafhoppers and aphids. Initial captures of apple maggot flies in an abandoned orchard were detected in the past week, but numbers are still very low and not of concern in commercial orchards. In addition to the codling moth update below, this week we are also beginning to provide updates on model predictions for emergence of first generation brown marmorated stink bug, which poses the greatest threat to apples.

Codling Moth

Second generation codling moth degree day (DD) accumulations in Lincoln and Cleveland Counties is about 1575 as of July 7. Hence, an insecticide active against this pest should be considered at this time if moths have been captured in pheromone traps. If pheromone traps are not being used, you should assume there is activity in your orchard.

In higher elevations such as Henderson County, DD accumulations average only about 1090, so we are still approximately two weeks away from anticipated emergence of the second generation. Insecticides for codling moth are not necessary at this time, except for those few problem orchards where pheromone trap captures remain high.

BMSB Model Predictions

After several years of brown marmorated stink bug developmental studies in eastern and western NC, we are now quite confident of a simple degree-day model to predict emergence of first-generation (f₁) adults. These f₁ adults disperse from wooded habitats into crops in July or August (depending on location and year), and are typically the most damaging life stage to fruit and vegetable crops. This model uses April 4 as a biofix date, and the percentage emergence of the f₁ adult population is depicted by the blue line in the graph below, which shows emergence beginning at about 700 DD (Celsius) and being completed by 1400 DD.

The black arrows in the graph indicate current DD accumulations (as of July 7) for two locations (Henderson County at an elevation of 2067 ft, and Cleveland County at an elevation of 875 ft). Red arrows are DD projections for July 14 based on temperature forecasts. Current DD accumulations in Cleveland County are 570 DD, and are projected to be 645 on July 14. Hence, emergence of adults in Cleveland County is not anticipated for another two weeks. In Henderson County, current DD accumulations are only 375, so adult emergence is a minimum of three weeks away. Over the next two months we will update DD accumulations for these locations.

Section 18 Requests for Bifenthrin Approved for BMSB

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services request to the EPA for a Section 18 exemption for the use of bifenthrin for control of the brown marmorated stink bug on apples, peaches, and nectarines was recently approved. FMC and UPL are supporting these requests, so bifenthrin products registered for this use are Brigade and Bifenture. Labels for both products must be in possession when applying products, and they can be downloaded here:

• Brigade label
• Bifenture label

A section 18 request for dinotefuran (Venom, Scorpion) was also submitted along with the bifenthrin request, but the NCDA&CS has not yet heard back regarding that request, nor have other states that made requests.

Learn more about southeastern apple insect pests at the Apple Insect Management page.

2020 Average Weekly Trap Captures

*Note that these averages illustrate only the timing of insect emergence and fluctuations in populations, and are not representative of population levels in any given orchard. The only way to have an accurate assessment of an individual orchard’s populations is to set up traps in that orchard.

2020 Accumulated Degree Days

About degree-day models

2020 Pest Trends (click to enlarge)