Apple, Insect Control, 1981

Pesticides were applied in 1X dilution at 250 psi so that foliage and fruit were treated to run-off. All treatments of insecticide were made on a regular apple schedule allowing approximately 7-10 day interval between cover sprays. Mature standard Delicious, Mcintosh, and Cortland trees were randomized and replicated four times in a 50-tree block. Application dates were: May 1 (Pre-pink); May 7 (Pink); May 15 (Pink Extended); May 25 (Full Bloom); Jun 10, 20, Jul 4, 16, 31, Aug 4, (First cover - sixth cover). Evaluations were made as final harvest fruit scoring (Sep 14). Disease control was accomplished by applying Captan 50W (2 lb/100) or Polyram (1 lb/100) or Benomyl (1/2 lb/100) with each insecticide application and as a bloom spray. Due to an unusually warm (pre-bloom) period the general phenology of the trees was far advanced over past seasons. This warmer temperature may have been responsible for the large populations of lesser appleworm. Conversely, low populations of tarnished plant bug and apple maggot rendered reliable efficacy questionable.