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XV. Peach Insects
D.L.
Horton, Ann Amis and HC Ellis
Georgia’s 1996
peach crop was valued at $3.4 million from 10 million lbs. of fruit that averaged
$0.33/lb.* Georgia’s 1996 peach crop experienced a series of severe cold events
which reduced the crop to its lowest level since 1955, an estimate volume reduction of
94%. Peach insect pest management efforts in 1996 were made on a block-to-block
basis. Numerous blocks received insecticide 2-3 times post-bloom, only to be
abandoned as cold injured fruit continued to abort for some 2 months.
Alternate-row-middle
insecticide application was used extensively. Insecticide programs were greatly
reduced, but most blocks received insecticide during the key period from late-March
through mid-April. Insect control was surprisingly good, which has encouraged
interest in insect pest management. Control cost estimates reflect only the
estimated cost of materials.
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*Georgia Farm Report 1997. Volume 97, Number 2.
Estimates of Losses and Control Costs
Rank |
Insect |
Cost of Control |
Damage |
Total |
1 |
Scale |
$180,000 |
$371,000 |
$551,000 |
2 |
Peachtree Borer and Lesser Peachtree Borer1 |
220,000 |
35,000 |
255,000 |
3 |
Fruit Feeders |
69,000 |
68,000 |
137,000 |
4 |
Leafhoppers |
0 |
55,000 |
55,000 |
| |
Total |
$469,000 |
$529,000 |
$998,000 |
|
| 1 Control cost included under cover sprays and peachtree borer sprays. |
Information Pertaining to Control of Major
Peach
Insects Pests in Georgia in 1996 |
Insects Control |
No. Trees Needing Control |
No. Trees Treated |
No. of Unit Applic. |
Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated1 |
Yield Loss on Units Treated2 |
Yield Loss on Units
Untreated2 |
Scale |
2,667,000 |
2,000,000 |
1.0 |
$0.09 |
348,000 |
742,000 |
Peachtree Borer and Lesser Peachtree Borer3 |
1,600,000 |
1,467,000 |
1.0 |
$0.15 |
77,000 |
28,000 |
Fruit Feeders |
575,000 |
460,000 |
3.0 |
$0.05 |
160,000 |
40,000 |
Leafhoppers |
267,000 |
133,000 |
0 |
$0.00 |
116,000 |
46,000 |
|
| 1 Excluding application costs
2 Yield units measured in pounds
3 Control costs included under cover sprays and peachtree borer sprays |
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