Historical difficulty and recent challenges with pear psylla and mites have sparked interest among growers, consultants, fruit packers, and researchers to take a closer look at the strategies we use to control these pests. Two industry-directed WSU projects focused on integrated pest management of pears began in early 2017.

Louis Nottingham is an entomologist examining tactics for managing psylla and mites. His primary focus is developing season-long management programs that involve cultural methods and properly selected and timed insecticide sprays to suppress psylla and mites while minimizing impacts on natural enemies. Striking a balance between active management and conserving biological control is the key to long-term control of these pests.

Chris Strohm is working with Tianna DuPont to assess integrated pest management programs in commercial pear orchards. Chris is scouting for pests and natural enemies in orchards that use conventional, IPM, and organic spray programs. The goal of this work is to create a scorecard to assist growers and consultants with management decisions and reduce the costly spraying that has become the norm for pear psylla control.

Table of Contents

Keep tuned to the news section of treefruit.wsu.edu for updates (subscribe here).

Challenges for Pear IPM

Natural Enemies in Pear Orchards

Honeydew Washing

Pear Insecticide Efficacy

Pear IPM Strategies

Pear IPM Scouting

 

Contacts

Louis Nottingham, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
WSU – TFREC
1100 N Western Ave.,
Wenatchee, WA 98801
website: Nottingham’s Tree Fruit Entomology Lab
email: louis.nottingham@wsu.edu

Tianna DuPont
WSU Tree Fruit Extension
1100 N Western Ave.,
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone: 509.293.8758
email: tianna.dupont@wsu.edu