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Incorporating new products into Apple IPM spray programs

Now that we have so many options for managing pests in apple orchards, one of the biggest challenges is determining the best product to use at which timing. As you will notice from below there are a variety of different chemistries available to manage pests. The best way of determining which product to use, is based on what pests you have present in the orchard.

Whenever managing pests in the orchard it is important to use a resistance management strategy. Always use the same insecticide for each generation of insect, and rotate chemical families between generations of insects. Keep in mind that overuse of some products (ie. some neonicotinoids) may result in mite outbreaks.

Border spay programs of OP insecticides (Guthion, Imidan) have been shown to be effective in managing codling moth, apple maggot. Border spray programs include the use of an initial cover spray, followed by border sprays. Very little is known about the effectiveness of using other products (Calypso, Assail, Surround) as border sprays, and as a result they are not recommended at this time. Always check the label or your retail outlet to determine if the product should applied using tree row volume. Tree row volume is not recommended for many of the newer products due to concerns with efficacy. On newer products, labels may indicate the minimum amount of product that must be applied when using tree row volume. Remember that some products that control codling moth do not have efficacy against apple maggot. Note that many of the newer insecticides do not have the same residual as OP insecticides, so an earlier re-application may be necessary to provide sufficient control. Also for some pests (codling moth), many of the newer insecticides should be applied slightly earlier then conventional products.

Table 1. Potential Apple IPM spray options

¹Also provides suppression of PC. Delegate applied for codling moth may provide some suppression of apple maggot.

²Calypso also has activity against Rosy apple aphid, as well as European Apple Sawfly although it is not registered for either of these pests.

³Assail also has activity against MB. The application of Assail to control Codling moth will provide subsequent control of apple maggot.

*Please note that Altacor is not currently registered. Its registration is anticipated in 2008.

Legend

CM-codling moth

OFM-oriental fruit moth

PC-plum curculio

OBLR-obliquebanded leafroller

TLM-tentiform leafminer

Aphids-aphids

MB-mullein bug

RAA-rosy apple aphid

Table 2. Activity of codling moth insecticides on other pests

Table 3. Residual Activity of insecticides

* Keep in mind the residual activity of insecticides is often dependent on the rate used, coverage, and weather conditions.