2 - 



pellets aid in the detection of stem borer infestations in all 

 seasons. 



Removal of flagged tips below the girdling punctures or re- 

 moval of stems below signs of tunneling controls this pest. If 

 the grub is in the crown, it should be probed for with a wire or 

 slender twig. 



There are several species of scale insects that may attack 

 blueberry. Putnam scale has been the most commonly troublesome on 

 cultivated highbush blueberry. This is a small round scale with 

 a grayish covering that hides the yellow scale beneath. It most 

 commonly settles under loose bark on older canes where it may f orm 

 encrustations resembling the bark itself. In heavy infestations, 

 scales may settle on young stems, leaves and fruit, causing circu- 

 lar red spots where they settle. 



Regular removal of older, low producing canes during pruning 

 helps to prevent Putnam scale infestations from developing to ser- 

 ious proportions. A dormanr application of a Z% concentration of 

 superior oil to thoroughly wet all parts of the bush controls 

 Putnam scale or any other scales that may be present. 



In the early spring, small, dark reddish brown beetles may be 

 found feeding on expanding blueberry fruit buds. These are cran - 

 berry weevils , also an important pest of cranberry as the name in- 

 dicates^ If disturbed, the beetles usually drop from the bud so 

 that the holes they have drilled in unopened blossoms as they feed 

 and lay eggs may be the most obvious sign of their presence. The 

 beetles are about 1/16 inch long with a slightly curved beak which 

 is about half as long as the body. A single egg is laid among the 

 stamens in unopened blossoms in a hole drilled for that purpose by 

 the female. Blossoms that contain an egg are partly severed from 

 the stem, turn purplish, do not open and eventually drop from the 

 bush. Pupation takes place in the hollowed-out blossom. The new 

 brood of weevils emerge in late June and early July, feed on blue- 

 berry leaves and soon go into diapause in the litter in the field. 

 They cause serious crop reduction when abundant, and infestations 

 persist for years unless controlled. 



At present, there is no insecticide labeled for control of 

 cranberry weevil on blueberry. Clean cultivation affords some 

 control, but most Massachusetts plantings are in sod or mulch. 



Sometimes present with cranberry weevil are 2 other snout beetles: 

 the currant fruit weevil and the plum curculio . Currant fruit 

 weevils are about the same size as cranberry weevils, but are light 

 brown in color and possess a shorter and stouter beak. Plum curcu- 

 lio is a dark brown and black snout beetle about 1/4 inch long. 



