Pest Management Options: Greater Peachtree Borer Mating Disruption
Greater peachtree borer mating disruption is successful in orchards 1 acre or larger. Mating disruption dispensers should be placed in the orchard at or before first moth flight (usually around June 20 in northern Utah), or, dispensers can be hung at the same time as peach twig borer dispensers. Mating disruption for this pest is so successful that after a few years, the moth population will decline to almost zero, and monitoring traps will not catch any moths. As a result, some growers use peachtree borer MD only every two to three years.
Monitor greater peachtree borer using large plastic delta traps with a sticky liner and lure. There are no specialized high load lures; only standard lures are available. Traps should be used according to the following guidelines:
- hang traps in early June
- hang in lower third of tree canopy
- one trap/10 acres (minimum 2 traps per orchard), plus traps in hot spots
- check traps once/week, and count and remove moths, or keep a running tally
Characteristics of common mating disruption dispensers
| Brand | Type | Rate | Cost (approx) | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isomate-P | hand-applied twists | 100/acre | $40/acre | very effective | hang dispensers in lower third of tree canopy; no supplemental spray needed; dispensers will last through a hotter than normal summer |
Lure types for monitoring pests in mating disrupted orchards
| Lure Name | Longevity | Threshold to Apply Supplemental Spray |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x | 30 days | 2 moths/trap/7 days (average) | because it is not a high load lure, these traps should not catch any moths in a successful MD orchard |