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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Larva of American plum borer.

Cherry

American Plum Borer

Scientific Name: Euzophera semifuneralis

(Reviewed 4/06, updated 4/06)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The forewings of the adult moth are gray with brown and black markings. The wingspan in about 0.75 inch. Young larvae are white with a large, dark brown head. Mature larvae are about 1 inch long, dusky white, pinkish or dull green in color. Reddish orange frass, webbing, and gum pockets indicate their presence. They overwinter as mature larvae in a cocoon within the tree. There are three to four generations each year.

DAMAGE

Larvae bore into the tree leaving reddish orange frass and gum pockets. The boring is most damaging to the scaffold crotches or graft unions of young trees. Vigorous trees will heal over, but with heavy, prolonged infestations, scaffolds may break with wind or a heavy crop.

MANAGEMENT

Monitor young orchards in spring and summer for frass and gum pockets. If larvae are present, spray trees from 1 foot above the scaffold crotch to 1 foot below, two to three times during the growing season. The first application should be mid- to late April and subsequent applications at 6-week intervals.

Common name Amount to Use** P.H.I.+
(trade name) (conc.) (days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.
 
A. CHLORPYRIFOS*
  (Lorsban) 4EC 1.5–3 qt/100 gal water 21
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Use chlorpyrifos for the first application. In Central Valley orchards where harvest is to begin in mid- to late May, move treatment up to allow 6 days for preharvest interval. Apply as a trunk spray, avoiding contact with foliage or premature leaf drop may occur. Uniformly cover trunk and the wood of the lower branches. Do not make more than 3 applications/season or allow meat or dairy animals to graze in treated orchards. Avoid drift and runoff into surface water or choose alternative materials. Chlorpyrifos has been found in surface waters at levels that violate federal and state water quality standards.
 
B. DIAZINON* 50WP 1 lb/100 gal water 21
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Do not exceed 4 lb diazinon 50WP/acre. Avoid drift and tailwater runoff into surface waters.
 
C. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) 80S 3.75–5 lb/acre 1
  MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Do not exceed 17.5 lb Sevin 80S/acre.
 
 
+  Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r105302111.html revised: April 18, 2006. Contact webmaster.