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XVII.
Pecan Insects
H C
Ellis and J. D. Dutcher
Georgia's pecan
production was 90 million pounds in 1996, 15 million pounds more than 1995
production. Because of a reported increase in carry-over and supply, prices were
lower in 1996, averaging $0.622 per pound. The total crop value was $56 million, 70
percent of the value of the 1995 crop.
Overall, losses to
pecan arthropods decreased slightly in 1996. However, losses to pecan nut casebearer
and pecan weevil increased significantly. Pecan nut casebearer populations reached a
25-year high in 1996. Pecan weevil numbers were also higher and emergence was
prolonged. Weevils required ca. one additional spray, on the average.
Spittlebugs were also significantly worse in 1996. Yellow aphid problems increased
slightly. Black pecan aphids, mites, and hickory shuckworms caused fewer problems in
1996. However, these pests were heavier than normal in 1995, and the occurrence of
high populations of black pecan aphid in early season remains a concern. Losses in
the “others” category were primarily due to phylloxera and Asian ambrosia
beetles. Estimated total losses to arthropod pests in 1996 were 3% lower than the
1995 estimates.
Estimates of Losses and Control Costs |
Rank |
Insect |
Cost of Control |
Damage |
Total |
1 |
Pecan weevil |
$4,050,000 |
$2,099,000 |
$6,149,000 |
2 |
Pecan nut casebearer |
990,000 |
4,478,000 |
5,468,000 |
3 |
Yellow aphids1,2 |
1,707,000 |
3,219,000 |
4,926,000 |
4 |
Hickory shuckworm |
1,620,000 |
2,071,000 |
3,691,000 |
5 |
Black pecan aphids |
1,620,00 |
1,120,000 |
2,740,000 |
6 |
Mites3 |
855,000 |
896,000 |
1,751,000 |
7 |
Spittlebugs |
720,000 |
812,000 |
1,532,000 |
8 |
Others4 |
540,000 |
392,000 |
932,000 |
9 |
Kernel feeding hemipterans5 |
68,000 |
252,000 |
320,000 |
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Total |
$12,170,000 |
$15,339,000 |
$27,509,000 |
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1"Yellow aphids" include the yellow pecan aphid and the
blackmargined aphid.
2 The cost of control of yellow aphids includes $60 per care for application of
aldicarb on 10,000 acres and $10.00 per acre for foliar sprays on 103,000 acres.
3 "Mites" refers primarily to the pecan leaf scroch mite
4 "Others" include the pecan bud moth, pecan spittlebug, pecan leaf
casebearer, leaf miners, fall webworm, phylloxeras, walnut caterpillar, boring insects, Prionus
spp., hickory shoot curculio.
5 "Kernel feeding hemipterans" include the southern green stink bug,
the brown stink bug, the leaffooted bug and others. |
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Information Pertaining to Control of Major Pecan Insects Pests in
Georgia in 1996 |
Insect |
No. Acres Needing Control |
No. Acres Treated |
No. of Acre Applic.1 |
Avg. Cost Per Unit Treated2 |
Yield Loss on Units Treated3 |
Yield Loss on Units
Untreated3 |
Pecan weevil |
113,000 |
90,000 |
3.0 |
$15.00 |
1,350,000 |
2,025,000 |
Pecan nut casebearer |
120,000 |
90,000 |
1.0 |
$11.00 |
2,700,000 |
4,500,000 |
Yellow aphids4 |
143,000 |
113,000 |
1.0 |
$15.17 |
3,375,000 |
1,800,000 |
Hickory shuckworm |
128,000 |
90,000 |
2.0 |
$9.00 |
1,080,000 |
2,250,000 |
Black pecan aphids |
135,000 |
120,000 |
1.5 |
$9.00 |
1,440,000 |
360,000 |
Mites5 |
45,000 |
30,000 |
1.5 |
$19.00 |
720,000 |
720,000 |
Spittlebugs |
113,000 |
60,000 |
1.0 |
$12.00 |
360,000 |
945,000 |
Others6 |
75,000 |
45,000 |
1.0 |
$12.00 |
270,000 |
360,000 |
Kernel feeding hemipterans7 |
38,000 |
8,000 |
1.0 |
$9.00 |
45,000 |
360,000 |
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1 Some applications control more than one pest and the number of
applications indicated were not made in all orchards.
2 Excluding application costs.
3 Yield units measured in pounds
4 "Yellow aphids" include the yellow pecan aphid and the
blackmargined aphid.
5 "Mites" refers primarily to the pecan leaf scorch mite.
6 "Others" include the pecan bud moth, pecan leaf casebearer, leaf
miners, fall webworm, pecan spittlebug, walnut caterpillar, phylloxeras, boring insects,
Prionus spp., hickory nut curculio and hickory shoot curculio..
7 "Kernel feeding hemipterans" include the southern green stink bug,
the brown stink bug, the leaffooted bug and others. |
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