INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF APPLE PESTS IN MASSACHUSETTS 

 COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS- - 1979 RESULTS: INSECTS AND MITES 



W. M. Coli, R. J. Prokopy and R. Hislop 

 Department of Entomology 



The 1979 growing season was the second year of operation of 

 the Massachusetts IPM program"^. The major objectives of the Massa- 

 chusetts IPM program are: 1) to produce high yields of top quality 

 apples while decreasing the amount of pesticide usage; and 2) to 

 encourage the use of spray materials which allow for survival of 

 beneficial predators and parasites. 



Reduced spray programs on apples have been discussed in pre- 

 vious issues of "Fruit Notes [41(1), 41(2), 41(3), 42(3), and 43(3)]. 

 Our 1978 results on insects were summarized in Fruit Notes 44(1). 



Information reported here resulted from intensive scouting of 

 25 blocks in 20 commercial orchards in the 4 major fruit-growing 

 areas of Massachusetts. Scouting in the 16 IPM blocks was on a 

 weekly basis Avhile the 9 check blocks were visited bi-weekly because 

 of gasoline scarcity. In-depth orchard scouting is the keystone of 

 the IPM program and enables us to advise growers as to the need 

 and optimal timing of spray applications. 



Materials and Methods 



Prior to bud break in the spring, 6 to 12 trapping stations 

 were established in each orchard (4-11 stations per block) taking 

 into account size of block, proximity to likely insect overwinter- 

 ing sites and varietal composition. The majority of trapping sites 

 were near the block periphery inasmuch as most pest pressure ori- 

 ginates from outside the orchard. Visual traps were used to monitor 

 tarnished plant bug (TPB) , European apple sawfly (EAS) and apple 

 maggot fly (AMF) adults. Pheromone traps were used for monitoring 

 red-banded leafroller (RBLR) , oblique-banded leafroller (OBLR) , and 

 codling moth (CM) males. Mites and mite predators were monitored 

 from mid-June to harvest using techniques outlined in Fruit Notes 

 43(4). Tentiform leafminer (TLM) , green fruitworm (GFW) , green 

 apple aphid (GAA) , woolly apple aphid (WAA) and white apple leafhopper 

 (WAL) populations were monitored by examining 10 fruit spurs or 10 

 terminal shoots in each of 3 tree areas-- (top, low inside and low 

 outside) at each trapping station. (A discussion of decision making 



1 

 Other program field staff for 1979 were: Norman Andersen, scout; 

 Glenn Morin, scout; Annemarie Pennucci, scout; and Mary Tubbs, scout 

 Mite brushing and counting were by Bonnie Weeks. 



2 

 Funded by a USDA grant from 1978 through 1982. In addition, the 

 Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association contributed $5,600. Addi- 

 tional thanks to Mr. David Chandler, Meadowbrook Orchards, Inc., 

 Sterling Junction for allowing us to base 2 scouts at his picker's 

 housing throughout the summer. As a result it was possible to re- 

 duce travel time and gasoline use. 



