Fruit Bites April 21-23 Pears

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we need an update on the current status of pears in the PNW?

AW: from delayed dormant to petal fall, pear growers have an opportunity to reduce the initial pressure of pests like pear psylla. As soon as the pear leaves start to flush, getting spray coverage to all those feeding nymphs becomes more difficult. Plus, pear psylla begin to have overlapping generations. If you apply products early, you can control 1-2 stages rather than everything from eggs to nymphs to adults.

BL: what kind of damage do pear psylla cause?

AW: nymphs have piercing-sucking mouthparts and feed on new leaves. They excrete a sticky sugary liquid that grows black sooty mold. Populations can get so bad, that the excretions literally drip from the tree. The black sooty mold can grow on the fruit and russet the pear.

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.