Control of Plum Curculio and Other Catfacing Insects that Damage Peach Fruit, 1971-1975

Test chemicals were screened on a Dixiland cultivar during 1971 and 1972 and on a Redcap cultivar in 1973, 1974, and 1975. Materials were applied with a portable hand sprayer (300 psi) and wet to run-off (1.5 - 2 gal dilute spray/tree). Appropriate fungicides (sulfur and/or benlate) were included to control brown rot and scab fungi of fruit by using the Georgia spray schedule for peaches. Damage to fruit was assessed from samples taken weekly, beginning 2 wk after 1st application (petal fall) and continuing to harvest. From 450 to 800 fruit were sampled from each treatment each season. Fruit was observed for feeding and oviposition scars as well as for larval tunneling by plum curculio and for knarled or deformed fruit caused by other catfacing insects, probably hemipteran.