Pecan Pest Seasonal Profiles

Leaf Tatterer and Defoliator Control

Image coming soon...

SPRING LEAF FEEDERS A SPORADIC OCCURRENCE A variety of leaf feeders attack pecan foliage in the spring between bud break and pollination. They are present every year, but natural environmental forces usually keep them at sub-economic levels. Pest outbreaks can occur in any given year, so pecan foliage should be surveyed during the spring to insure that these pests do not inflict significant damage to the leaf crop.

LEAF TATTERER AND DEFOLIATOR SURVEY

SAMPLING TIME
(a) Rate insects on 5 leaves on each monitor tree* (a) April through mid-May
(b) Rate each leaf**:
0 = 0 / larvae/leaf
1 = 1 – 2 / larvae/leaf
2 = 3 – 5 / larvae/leaf
3 = 6 + larvae / leaf
(b) Rate on weekly internal

ACTION LEVELS

Pest Orchard rating
Sawfly .5
Cigar leaf casebearer 1.0
Pecan leaf casebearer 1.0
Catacola .2
Maybeetles .5
Leafminers 1.0
Spittlebugs*** .1
*Survey 5-10% of trees in orchard.
**Sum ratings from 5 leaves per tree and divide by five to obtain tree rating. Record one rating for each tree. Average tree ratings to obtain orchard rating and the need to spray.
***Inspect 5 shoots instead of 5 leaves if spittlebug is suspected to be a problem. Rate number of shoots with spittlebug.