Factors Affecting Bee Pollination of Tree Fruits

Thursday Feb 04, 2021

Nearly 1,000 species of bees occur in the Pacific Northwest, but only a small number of species are useful in the pollination of orchard crops. Pesticide use and loss of appropriate nesting habitat have reduced the numbers of wild bee pollinators, leaving most of the pollination for commercial orchards dependent on honeybees. The success of honeybee pollination in tree fruits is affected by a number of factors, which in part can be manipulated by orchardists and beekeepers.

Apply Mating Disruption Dispensers Before First Moths Fly

Monday Feb 01, 2021

Mating disruption dispensers work by releasing synthetic pheromone which prevents or delays males from finding and mating with females. Therefore, dispensers need to be placed in your orchard before the first moths fly and mate. First moth flight (= biofix) occurs at around 175 DD. We recommend to place pheromone traps before first apple blossoms open or by 100 DD whichever comes first.

Delayed Dormant Sprays

Saturday Jan 02, 2021

Dormant sprays are important for management of a wide range of pests including European red mite, woolly apple aphid, rosy and green apple aphids, and San Jose Scale. Most of these are easily controlled using a variety of materials, but if you are using oils, remember that good coverage is essential because they work by covering the egg stage and preventing respiration.

Which Leafroller Species is in Your Orchard?

Saturday Jan 02, 2021

There are two leafrollers commonly found in Washington orchards: Pandemis leafroller (PLR) and Obliquebanded leafroller (OBLR). The phenology of the two species is quite different and you need to be sure which species you have for proper management and use the correct model on DAS. PLR used to be more common, but in the past 10 years, OBLR has displaced PLR from many of the production areas.

Delayed Dormant Sprays for Leafrollers

Saturday Jan 02, 2021

Pandemis leafroller (PLR) and oblique-banded leafroller (OBLR) have different phenologies which are well documented on DAS. Delayed dormant sprays can work well for PLR, but are generally too early in the season for efficacy against larvae of OBLR.