Description of the Pest
Wingless mealy plum aphid adults are pale green or whitish greenwith three dark green longitudinal stripes on their backs. Their bodies arecovered with a white mealy wax. The winged form has a dark thorax andtransverse bands on the abdomen. Mealy plum aphids are often found inside theslightly curled-up plum leaves. After overwintering in the egg stage near the bases of buds, the aphids hatch during bloom and develop into winglessadults. They will have from three to thirteen generations on plums. Then winged adults appear in June and July as warm weather approaches and they migrate to reedgrass or cattails. Wingless aphids that remain on vigorous growth of plum treesthroughout the summer will not be capable of laying overwintering eggs in fall.Only the offspring of the winged adults that return to plum trees in fall laythe overwintering eggs.
Damage
This aphid builds up in large numbers on the undersurface of leavesin spring and causes leaves to become slightly curled and stunted.High populations can devitalize the tree, retard growth, and reduce sugarcontent of fruit. Honeydew dropping on fruit can cause fruit cracking.
Management
Several natural enemies are important in the control of aphids inthe orchard, but aphid populations often require treatment. The best indicatorof populations is orchard history. The best time to treat is during the dormantor delayed dormant period. If aphids are a chronic problem in the orchard,apply a treatment early in dormancy; otherwise, sample during dormancyto determine the need to treat as described below. Spring treatments may alsobe made. After harvest, a zinc sulfate application will provide zinc to thetrees as well as hasten leaf fall. Without the leaves on the tree, the aphidlife cycle is disrupted. Zinc sulfate (36%) applied at 10-20 lb/acre can beapplied in early to mid-October to help in this process.
Biological Control
There aremany natural enemies that feed on leaf curl plum aphid; however, fruit size maystill be reduced and curled leaves will not uncurl after aphids are suppressed.The recent introductions of Aphidius transcaspicus has led tosubstantial levels of parasitism of this aphid. Important predators include: lady beetles, green lacewings, brown lacewings, syrphid flies, and soldier beetles.
Organically Acceptable Methods
Biologicalcontrol and sprays of narrow range oil or neem oil are organically acceptablemethods of controlling this pest.
Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
If aphidsare a chronic problem, a treatment in late fall/early dormancy (November 1) isa very effective way to manage these pests and is less likely to create waterquality problems caused by pesticide runoff than treatments applied during therainier season in January and February. If leaves are still on trees at thistime, aphids and parasites can be present. Oil treatments are not recommendedat this time because they are very damaging to parasite populations and noteffective for aphid control.
Dormant monitoring. If the November 1 treatment is not applied, be sure to monitor duringdormancy. (For more information, see DORMANT SPUR SAMPLE.) If dormantmonitoring indicates treatment is necessary, two applications of oil at bloomcan be used in orchards where a dormant/delayed dormant treatment is notrequired to manage scale problem. Parasites are not active at bloom, and theyare not affected by the bloom oil sprays.
Spring monitoring. If aphids have been a problem in the past or if adormant or delayed dormant application was not applied, monitor leaf curl plumaphid in spring along with mealy plum aphid. Follow the monitoring guidelinesin SPRING/SUMMER MONITORING to determine iftreatment is necessary.
Regulations regarding clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam changed in California on January 1, 2024. Review the new California Department of Pesticide Regulation neonicotinoid regulations before applying these pesticides.
| Common name | Amount to use** | REI‡ | PHI‡ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Example trade name) | (conc.) | (dilute) | (hours) | (days) | |
| Not all registered pesticides are listed. The following are ranked with the pesticides having the greatest IPM value listed first—the most effective and least harmful to natural enemies, honey bees, and the environment are at the top of the table. When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to air and water quality, resistance management, and the pesticide's properties and application timing. Always read the label of the product being used. | |||||
| DORMANT | |||||
| A. | PHOSMET | ||||
| (Imidan) 70W | 2.12 lb | 1 lb | 3 days | 7 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply with a buffer to lower solution pH to 5.0. Apply as early as November 1st even though all leaves may not be off trees. Has fewer impacts on beneficials and water quality then other materials listed. This low-label rate and early timing provide effective control and reduce the risk of runoff into waterways, mitigating concerns of surface water pollution. Early applications may not be effective for peach twig borer and are not effective for San Jose scale control. | |||||
| B. | DIAZINON*50WP | 1 lb | 0.5 lb | 24 | 21 |
| 4EC | 1 pt | 0.5 pt | 24 | 21 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply as early as November 1st even though all leaves may not be off trees. This low-label rate and early timing provide effective control and reduce the risk of runoff into waterways, mitigating concerns of surface water pollution. Early applications may not be effective for peach twig borer and are not effective for San Jose scale control. | |||||
| C. | ESFENVALERATE* | ||||
| (Asana XL) | 3 oz | 1.5 oz | 12 | 14 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply as early as November 1st even though all leaves may not be off trees. This lower-than-label rate and early timing provide effective control and reduce the risk of runoff into waterways, mitigating concerns of surface water pollution. Pyrethroid residues remaining on leaves and bark will continue to affect mite predators long after application, increasing potential for spider mite infestations. Lower rates and/or early timing may not be effective for peach twig borer and are not effective for San Jose scale control. | |||||
| DELAYED DORMANT | |||||
| A. | THIAMETHOXAM | ||||
| (Actara) | 3–4 oz | 0.75–1 oz | 12 | 14 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A | |||||
| COMMENTS: Direct treatment or residues on blooming crops and weeds are highly toxic to bees. Remove (mow, disc, etc.) blooming ground cover before treatment. Apply prebloom or postbloom but not from swollen bud to petal fall. Do not apply less than 2 oz or more than 5.5 oz/acre/application or exceed 8 oz/acre/season. This chemical is listed on the EPA reduced risk to the environment. Repeat applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid - Provado; thiamethoxam - Actara) can lead to resistance to all neonicotinoids. Alternate neonicotinoids with an insecticide that has a different mode of action to help delay the development of resistance. | |||||
| B. | PHOSMET | ||||
| (Imidan) 70W | 2.12 lb | 1 lb | 3 days | 7 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply with a buffer to lower solution pH to 5.0. | |||||
| C. | IMIDACLOPRID | ||||
| (Provado) 1.6F | 4–8 fl oz | 2 fl oz | 12 | 0 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A | |||||
| COMMENTS: Repeat applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid – Provado; thiamethoxam – Actara) can lead to resistance to all neonicotinoids. Alternate neonicotinoids with an insecticide that has a different mode of action to help delay the development of resistance. | |||||
| D. | ESFENVALERATE* | ||||
| (Asana XL) | 3 oz | 1.5 oz | 12 | 14 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 | |||||
| COMMENTS: Pyrethroid residues remaining on leaves and bark will continue to affect mite predators long after application, increasing potential for spider mite infestations. Lower rates may not be effective for peach twig borer or San Jose scale control. | |||||
| E. | LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN* | ||||
| (Warrior) | 2.56–5.12 fl oz | 0.64–1.28 fl oz | 24 | 14 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 | |||||
| COMMENTS: Residues remaining on leaves and bark may continue to affect mite predators long after application, increasing potential for spider mite infestations. | |||||
| BLOOM | |||||
| A. | NARROW RANGE OIL# | 4 gal | — | 4 | 0 |
| MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects. | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply in 100 gal water/acre. Oil must contact aphids to provide control; if aphids are sheltered in curled leaves, oil alone will not control them. Apply at green tip or popcorn to kill the hatching aphids (hatch generally occurs in early March). May be tank mixed with bloom time treatments aimed at peach twig borer and brown rot. Make a second application 10 days later. This usually coincides with full bloom in most years. Plum trees tolerate oil treatments better in spring than during full dormancy. Do not apply oil within 2 weeks of captan or within 30 days of a sulfur treatment. | |||||
| B. | ENDOSULFAN* | ||||
| (Thionex) 50WP | See comments | 4 | 7 | ||
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 2A | |||||
| COMMENTS: Label says use 1 lb/100 gallons water or 4-5 lb/acre. Cannot be applied in any situations where runoff may occur. | |||||
| SPRING | |||||
| A. | DIAZINON* 50WP | 1.5–3 lb | 1 lb | 24 | 21 |
| 4EC | 1.5–3 pt | 1 pt | 24 | 21 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B | |||||
| COMMENTS: Avoid drift and runoff into surface waters. Where plums are grown near waterways, do not use diazinon. | |||||
| B. | NARROW RANGE OIL# | 6–8 gal | — | 4 | 0 |
| MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects. | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply in 200 gal water/acre. Oil must contact aphids to provide control; if aphids are sheltered in curled leaves, oil alone will not control them. Harmful to parasitic wasps. Plum trees tolerate oil treatments better in spring than during full dormancy. Do not apply oil within 2 weeks of captan or within 30 days of a sulfur treatment. | |||||
| C. | NEEM OIL# | ||||
| (Trilogy) 70EC | 2% | — | 12 | 0 | |
| MODE OF ACTION: Unknown. A botanical insecticide. | |||||
| COMMENTS: Repeat applications may be necessary. | |||||
| D. | THIAMETHOXAM | ||||
| (Actara) | 3–4 oz | 0.75–1 oz | 12 | 14 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A | |||||
| COMMENTS: Direct treatment or residues on blooming crops and weeds are highly toxic to bees. Remove (mow, disc, etc.) blooming ground cover before treatment. Apply prebloom or postbloom but not from swollen bud to petal fall. May cause mite outbreaks. Do not apply less than 2 oz or more than 5.5 oz/acre/application or exceed 8 oz/acre/season. Repeat applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid- Provado; thiamethoxam - Actara) can lead to resistance to all neonicotinoids. Alternate neonicotinoids with an insecticide that has a different mode of action to help delay the development of resistance. | |||||
| E. | IMIDACLOPRID | ||||
| (Provado) 1.6F | 4–8 fl oz | 2 fl oz | 12 | 7 | |
| MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A | |||||
| COMMENTS: Repeat applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid- Provado; thiamethoxam - Actara) can lead to resistance to all neonicotinoids. Alternate neonicotinoids with an insecticide that has a different mode of action to help delay the development of resistance. | |||||
| SUMMER | |||||
| A. | NEEM OIL# | ||||
| (Trilogy) 70EC | 2% | — | 12 | 0 | |
| MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects. | |||||
| COMMENTS: Repeat applications may be necessary. Oil is harmful to parasitic wasps. | |||||
| B. | NARROW RANGE OIL# | 6–8 gal | — | 4 | 0 |
| MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects. | |||||
| COMMENTS: Apply in 200 gal water/acre. Oil must contact aphids to provide control; if aphids are sheltered in curled leaves, oil alone will not control them. Oil is harmful to parasitic wasps. Use a minimum of 6 to 8 gal of oil in 200 gal water. Good coverage (slow tractor speed) is essential for best results. Do not apply oil within 2 weeks of captan or within 30 days of a sulfur treatment or when temperatures are expected to exceed 95°F. | |||||
| * | Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use. |
| ** | For dilute applications, rate is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300–500 gal water/acre, according to label; for concentrate applications, use 80–100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows. |
| ‡ | Restricted entry interval (REI) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (PHI) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest. |
| # | Acceptable for use on organically grown produce. |
| — | Not recommended or not on label. |
| 1 | Rotate insecticides 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 to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; insecticides with a 1B group number should be alternated with insecticides that have a group number other than 1B. Mode-of-action group numbers for insecticides and miticides (un=unknown or uncertain mode of action) are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). |
Important Links
- Photos of aphids
