Codling Moth: In lower elevation orchards (i.e., those ranging from about 800 to 1300 ft) an insecticide targeting second generation codling moth should have been applied by this time. Optimum timing is between 1400 and 1450 DD, and in Cleveland County about 1550 DD have accumulated as of June 30. If an application has not been applied in the past 7 to 10 days, an application should be considered, especially in those orchards not using mating disruption.

In Henderson County (elevation about 2050 ft), a total of 1228 DD have accumulated as of June 30. We are expected to hit 1400 in about a week, so this weekend or early next week would be a good time for this application.

In orchards that have no damage and where moth captures in pheromone traps remain low, an insecticide targeting the second generation may not be necessary. This is most often the case in orchards using mating disruption.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB): In lower elevation orchards, emergence of first generation BMSB adults, the most damaging life stage, is expected to begin in about 10 days. Emergence begins at about 740 DD, and in Cleveland County 612 DD accumulations as of June 30. An initial insecticide spray is recommended between about 5 and 10% emergence (=760 – 780 DD), which is expected in this area in about two weeks.

In Henderson County, DD accumulations as of June 30 were only at 460, so we are at least a month away from initial emergence.

European Red Mite: Despite the warm weather, European red mite populations remain low throughout the region. As mentioned last week, predatory mite numbers have been high in almost all orchards we’ve sampled in recent weeks. Historically, if ERM do not appear by the first week of July, in many cases they are unlikely to build to damaging levels.

2025 Average Weekly Trap Captures