Pear, Pear Psylla Control, 1980

Sixteen-yr-old Bartlett pear trees were sprayed with handguns operating at 600 psi to evaluate pesticides for control of pear psylla. Plots consisted of five 2-tree replications in randomized block design. Treatments were evaluated by counts of adults and nymphs before the first application and at 2 week intervals for the duration of the test period. Counts taken between applications were pooled and expressed as the mean for these periods. Adults were counted by taking 5 beating tray samples/replicate. Nymphs were counted on 5 spurs through Jun 9 and on 5 terminals thereafter for each replicate. Two spotted spider mite and European red mite densities were estimated from 50-leaf samples taken 3 times during the test period by the standard leaf brushing technique. Fruit and foliage were examined after each spray for evidence of phytotoxicity. At harvest 10 fruits/replicate were tested for firmness and soluble solids.