Peach Problems at Harvest – IPM Pest Advisories

In this Issue

Peach Problems Seen at Harvest (photo gallery)
Commercial Growers: Workshop on conserving beneficial insects, Sept 28 in Kaysville
Commercial Growers: Watch for IPM Survey in the mail
New USU fact sheet: Leafroller Pests of Orchards

Peach Problems Seen at Harvest

Peach harvest is on, and we’ve seen a variety of fruit damage, ranging from wind injury, powdery mildew, coryneum blight, earwigs, birds, and more. Check out the photo gallery to identify what you may be seeing during harvest.

Silvering of peach flesh caused by thrips feeding.

Distorted nectarine caused by thrips feeding during bloom.

Possible green peach aphid damage to nectarine.

Corking of the interior flesh caused by cool post-bloom temperatures and a light crop.

Russeting of the skin caused by an apple powdery mildew infection.

Soft flesh caused by walnut husk fly maggot feeding under the skin.

Earwigs create deep feeding holes. Note the black specks; they are excrement.

Damage caused by fruitworm caterpillar feeding on the peach.

Cat-facing injury caused by either lygus or stink bug feeding.

Peach pits that separate from the flesh are considered split pits.

Split pits can result in cracks along the peach suture.

Soft suture, caused by heavy watering after a long dry spell.

Gumming oozing from center of peach due to split pit.

Injury to peach flesh, followed by infection of brown rot.

Feeding damage from starlings, that peck deep into the flesh.

Announcements

Commercial Growers: Workshop on conserving beneficial insects, Sept 28 in Kaysville

Lacewing larvae are voracious predators, but the adults need pollen and nectar to survive.

What: The Xerces Society and the Utah IPM Program are hosting a workshop on conservation biological control, covering:

Identification of predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests.
Recognizing the habitat needs of beneficial insects.
Design and implementation of habitat improvements, including site preparation, insectary strip plantings, hedgerows, beetle banks, and more.
The current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on beneficial insects and mitigate exposure to insecticides.

When: Thursday, September 28

Where: Kaysville Education Center and Farm

How: Registration is $45 and includes a packet of materials from the Xerces society, including their book, Farming with Native Beneficial Insects.

Commercial Growers: Watch for the 2017 IPM Tree Fruit Survey in the Mail

The Utah IPM Program is working with the Utah office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to determine the use of IPM in tree fruits, and how it is affecting profits. Be on the lookout for the envelope from NASS, and please be sure to fill out and return the survey! The results will help the IPM Program to continue to serve the needs of our fruit growers.

New Fact Sheet on Leafroller Pests

Obliquebanded leafrollers feed on foliage and fruit.

Entomologist, Diane Alston, and Marion Murray conducted a 2-year project to identify the primary leafroller species causing damage to Utah orchards. Obliquebanded leafroller was the most common, primarily causing injury to tart cherries, and contaminating tart cherry harvest bins.

Click here to access the fact sheet that describes the leafroller species we found, including their biology, management, and where they occur.