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Arthropod Situation:
European Red Mites: Even though it was hot and dry, ERM
populations, in general, were lower than expected. That is not to say that some
bronzing was not observed in blocks where timing or coverage was poor or, that
ERM did not build up in some blocks in August. As in the past, it is always a good
practice to notice what blocks have high numbers of overwintering ERM eggs while pruning
this winter so that you can especially tend to these during the spring.
Leafminers: At the UVM HRC, although trap captures were high in
May, we had very few first generation mines per leaf in most of our blocks (with no
treatment). High LM flight was reported around the state, but in most orchards that
we visited, first generation leafmines were not above threshold (some growers had treated,
others had not). The graph below shows the average trap capture per week at
the UVM Hort.Res.Center. You can see that the flight in August was the
highest.
Plum Curculio: There were reports from the region that, in general,
plum curculio numbers were low. We were surprised (pleasantly !) to see very little
damage on non-sprayed trees at the UVM HRC. Wouldn't it be nice if this
insect continues to be on the decline in the new millennium....
Japanese Beetle: A number of growers commented that they were seeing more
damage from Japanese beetles this year. The picture below shows the damage that they
cause by feeding on apple leaves:
Apple Maggot: We observed relatively low trap captures this year (see
graph below) and apparently this was the situation in other parts of New England as
well. It was a season where sprays for AM could be saved by trapping and determining
if threshold levels had been reached.
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