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Publication #ENY-805

 

Insect Management in Pears 1

Russell F. Mizell, III2

Scales

Several scales including San Jose scale and Forbes scale may infest pears.

Control: Apply a 3% oil spray about January 15 to 20. To make a 3% oil spray, mix 3 1/3 gallons of 90% oil concentrate in 100 gallons of water. (½ cup in 1 gallon of water). Superior type oils (not mayonnaise or dormant type) also are available. Use according to directions on the label.

Caterpillars

These make webs or tents over the twigs and foliage, and may attack pear trees. They feed in colonies on the leaves within the web. When they need additional food, they enlarge the web.

Control: Use the biological control, Bacillus thuringiensis, it is available under many brand names such as Dipel, LARVO-BT, Cutlass, Javelin WG and Biobit. Spray with 2 pounds of 50% Sevin wettable powder per 100 gallons of water or 2 tablespoons per gallon. Do not apply Sevin within 1 day of harvest.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENY-805, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 1993. Revised October2007. Reviewed June 2012. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Russell F. Mizell, III, professor, Entomology and Nematology Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, 32351.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.