Greetings,

On June 15, 2019 the EPA approved the renewal of a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for use of the neonicotinoid insecticide, dinotefuran, against brown marmorated stink bug in pome and stone fruit crops in Virginia. Growers from the other States that have previously participated in this Section 18 should contact their State Department of Agriculture regarding the status of this petition. The two products included in this exemption are Venom Insecticide and Scorpion 35SL Insecticide. Per application, Venom can be used at rates between 4.0 and 6.75 oz of product per acre (0.179 to 0.302 lb active ingredient) and Scorpion at 8.0 to 12.0 fl oz of product per acre (0.203 to 0.304 lb active ingredient). Restrictions include a maximum of two applications per season, a seasonal maximum of 0.608 lb active ingredient per acre (regardless of product used), and a minimum 7-day re-application interval. The re-entry interval for both products is 12-hours and a 3-day pre-harvest interval must be observed for both. This compound is highly toxic to bees and remains toxic to bees exposed to residues for more than 38 hours following an application. This Section 18 for use of dinotefuran  in Virginia pome and stone fruit will expire on October 15, 2019.

Until next time, best wishes.

Greetings,

As of today (June 20), 1423 degree days (DD) have accumulated since biofix for oriental fruit moth (OFM) at Winchester (April 14). OFM is now entering the second half of its second generation of the year. If captures in pheromone traps are exceeding the 10 moth/trap/week threshold, optimal timing to control this portion of second generation OFM in both peaches and apples is between 1450 and 1500 DD, which will occur between June 21 and June 23.

As of June 20, 913 DD have accumulated since codling moth (CM) biofix at Winchester (May 1). The next sprays for CM management would target second generation at the following timings: Rimon at 1250-1320 DD, Assail, Belay, CM virus, Esteem or Intrepid at 1350 DD, and all other products at 1450 DD. The NEWA website predicts 1054 DD for CM on June 26.

Until next time, best wishes.

Greetings,

If average weekly OFM captures in pheromone traps are exceeding 10 moths/trap/week, management of second brood larvae is warranted.  As of today (June 9) 1150 DD have accumulated since oriental fruit moth (OFM) biofix at Winchester on April 14. In peaches, optimal timing for Assail against OFM occurred over the last several days (1050 – 1100 DD). Optimal timing for  use of all other effective insecticides against OFM in peaches is from 1150 – 1200 DD; the NEWA website forecasts 1211 DD for OFM on June 12. In apple, the recommended timing targets the second half of second brood OFM. Rimon is recommended at 1300 – 1350 DD, Assail, Belay, or Intrepid at 1350 – 1400 DD, and all other insecticides effective against this pest at 1450 – 1500 DD.

As of June 9, 695 DD have accumulated since codling moth (CM) biofix at Winchester on May 1. In recent years, some growers have applied a third spray against first brood CM, which would occur in early to mid June. Otherwise, recommended spray timing against second brood CM (if captures exceed the threshold of 5 moths/trap/week) are as follows: Rimon at 1250 – 1320 DD, Assail, Belay, CM virus, Esteem or Intrepid at 1350 DD, and all other insecticides effective against CM at 1450 DD.

Early to mid-June is when San Jose scale crawlers can be targeted with products rated as Excellent (Esteem, Centaur) or Good (Lannate, Sivanto, Admire Pro, or Diazinon).

Until next time, best wishes.