MANAGEMENT OF PEACH TWIG BORER
Control strategies for peach twig borer have typically involved the use of organophosphate insecticides and BT bloom sprays. However, with over use, peach twig borer has developed resistance to organophosphate insecticides and the use of pyrethroids often results in increased costs for mite control later in the growing season. The use of synthetic sex pheromones for disruption of mating is targeted at adult moths instead of hatching larvae. Accurate prediction of the emergence of moths from the overwintering populations is critical to timing CheckMateŽ PTB-XL applications. The use of degree day models, pheromone traps and field observations are helpful detecting the earliest emergence of the overwintering generation. By preventing mating and subsequent egg laying, peach twig borer populations can be dramatically reduced to below economically damaging levels. In situations with high peach twig borer pressure (problem blocks or some organic blocks), pheromone mating disruption and an accurately timed insecticide spray targeted at larval popoulations can be used together in an Integrated Pest Management strategy.
PEACH TWIG BORER BIOLOGY
Peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella) is an important pest of peaches, nectarines and almonds. The peach twig borer will also attack plums, prunes, and apricots. There are normally two to three generations of peach twig borer in the northern fruit production areas of the United States. As many as four generations occur in the southern states and in California. Generations occur at approximately monthly intervals. Early in the season, larvae bore into the tips of tender twigs causing them to wilt and die. Although peach twig borer do not mine as deep into a shoot as oriental fruit moth larvae, distinguishing between the two can be difficult unless the larvae is still present in the twig. The peach twig borer larva distinctive alternating dark and light bands with a dark head. Later in the seson the larvae of both will prefer mature fruit. |
