Summary of Losses from Insect Damage and Costs of Control in Georgia - 1997

XVII.  Pecan Insects

H C Ellis and J. D. Dutcher

Georgia's pecan production was only 85 million pounds in 1997, 15 percent below 1996 production.  Dry weather in late season followed by heavy rains during the harvest period reduced production.  Because of the reduced crop, prices increased in 1997, averaging $ .94 per pound.  The total crop value was $79.7 million, 29 percent above the previous year.*

Overall, losses to pecan arthropods were higher in 1997, primarily due to the increased value of the crop.  Black pecan aphids and pecan spittlebugs occurred in relatively high numbers in early season and were treated in many orchards.  Black pecan aphids were troublesome throughout the season.  Mite populations were heavier and more widespread in 1997.  Mites and black pecan aphids caused premature defoliation in some areas in late summer.  Pecan nut casebearer damage decreased drastically from the high levels experienced in 1996.  Traps indicated that pecan nut casebearer populations were present but natural controls apparently prevented serious nut casebearer damage.  Damage from kernel feeding hemipterans was much increased in 1997.  These pests have high damage potential and are a major concern.  Estimated total losses to arthropod pests in 1997 were ca. 10% higher than the 1996 estimates.

*Georgia Farm Report.  1998.  Volume 98, Number 2.

1. "Yellow aphids" include the yellow pecan aphid and the blackmargined aphid.
2. The cost of control of yellow aphids includes $60 per acre for application of aldicarb on 8,000 acres and $10.00 per acre for foliar sprays on 112,000 acres.
3. "Mites" refers primarily to the pecan leaf scorch mite.
4. "Kernel feeding hemipterans" include the southern green stink bug, the brown stink bug, the leaffooted bug and others.
5. "Others" include the pecan bud moth, pecan leaf casebearer, leaf miners, fall webworm, phylloxeras, walnut caterpillar, boring insects, Prionus spp., hickory nut curculio, and hickory shoot curculio.

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. "Kernel feeding hemipterans" include the southern green stink bug, the brown stink bug, the leaffooted bug and others.
7. "Others" include the pecan bud moth, pecan leaf casebearer, leaf miners, fall webworm, walnut caterpillar, phylloxeras, boring insects, Prionus spp., hickory nut curculio and hickory shoot curculio.