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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Pear
Cutworms and Armyworms
(Reviewed 2/07,
updated 2/07)
In this Guideline:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS
Cutworms and armyworms are considered minor pests because
infestations are scattered and infrequent in most California pear orchards.
Adults and larvae usually are active at night and not normally seen.
DAMAGE
Cutworms and armyworms may become a chronic problem in some orchards
where lush ground covers grow up into trees, thus favoring early worm
development and access to the trees. They feed on fruit surfaces and foliage in
the lower parts of the tree. Foliage will have holes and appear tattered or be
stripped. In late districts, spotted cutworms can occur in heavy numbers
without warning and sometimes do extensive damage in a short period of time.
They climb into trees when buds are developing in spring and destroy part or
all of the blossom clusters and new leaves. Later generations may attack fruit
and foliage up to harvest. This is not a frequent problem, however.
MANAGEMENT
Cutworms and armyworms are very infrequent pests. If stripped
foliage or buds are observed, look for cutworms at night to see if they are
responsible. Generally, damage occurs only in orchards with overgrown ground
covers. If problems occur, control ground vegetation.
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Pear
UC ANR Publication 3455
Insects and Mites
L. G. Varela, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma Co.
R. B. Elkins, UC Cooperative Extension Lake Co.
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
C. Ingels, UC Cooperative Extension Sacramento Co.
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insects and mites section:
C. Pickel, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension Sutter/Yuba counties
P. W. Weddle, Weddle, Hansen & Associates
P. Chevalier, United Ag Products, Ukiah; B. Knispel, United Ag Products, Kelseyville
T. Lidyoff, Purity Products, Healdsburg; G. McCosker, AgroTech, Kelseyville
B. Oldham, Ag Unlimited, Ukiah
D. Smith, Western Farm Service, Walnut Grove
J. Sisevich, AgroTech, Kelseyville
B. Zoller, The Pear Doctor, Inc., Kelseyville
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