Notes on Apple Insects
Tarnished plant bug
Identification
Adult tarnished plant bugs (TPB) are 5-6 mm long with segmented antennae
and brown bodies. Adults feed on fruit buds, developing flowers and small
fruit. Buds damaged by TPB injury exude clear liquid ooze, which turns
amber after several hours. Damaged buds do not set properly and are subsequently
aborted. Tarnished plant bug feeding on small fruit causes small surface
scars or deep dimples with a narrow puncture hole in the centre.
Period of activity
Tarnished plant bugs overwinter as adults under bark, leaf litter and
other protected places. They are present in orchards from silver tip through
mid June.
Monitoring and thresholds
Monitor flower buds in early spring for indications of adult feeding
activity.
Management notes
Injury from this pest is generally low at harvest (0.25%-1%) and insecticide
applications aimed specifically at TPB are not cost-effective. Prebloom
and petal fall insecticide applications targeted at other early season
pests usually suppress tarnished plant bugs.
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