May/June 2024 - 16

PEST MANAGEMENT
NOW or Carpophilus beetle
damage?
Additionally, Rijal noted some confusion with
growers surrounding pest identification,
particularly between NOW and the Carpophilus
beetle. He stressed the need for accurate
identification in order to implement appropriate
control measures effectively.
" In 2022 I visited an orchard with a beetle
infestation, and it had been misidentified, " he said.
Rijal emphasized that the damage is similar unless
" you know about it (the differences). "
In early June, he held a meeting and discussed how
to correctly identify the two types of insect damage.
For more information, visit ucanr.edu or email
Rijal at jrijal@ucanr.edu.
Winter sanitation is critical and also the fundamental
way to manage NOW. " There is nothing we currently know
about insecticides to provide control as this is a very new
pest for us, " he said.
Rijal and Wilson Houston, associate cooperative Extension
specialist director at the UC Organic Agriculture Institute,
Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Department of Entomology, UC Riverside, are poised to
conduct insecticide trials to determine any impact. Houston
shared that he expects to have some results from Carpophilus
beetle insecticide research by the end of the year to provide
additional information for growers.
A majority of the orchards affected by this pest are almond
orchards, but the beetle has damaged pistachios in central
San Joaquin Valley and Rijal said that late last year he found
the first report in a walnut orchard in Stanislaus County. " So,
they can feed on other nuts, " he explained.
Brown spot. Rijal shared that there is also an increase in
brown spot, caused by piercing, mouth-sucking insects, such
as the stink bug species and leaf-footed bug, which have
increased pressure on crop production.
Based upon his research samples from the San Joaquin
Valley, about 2% of crop damage was caused from stink bugs
in 2023. He advised growers to pay close attention in the
months of April through June when the insects are most
active and cause the most damage. In the last several years,
invasive BMSB has established populations and have been
causing damage. " During the third week of March, we started
capturing BMSB in traps, " he shared.
Rijal is actively researching BMSB in almonds, which the
Almond Board of California (ABC) is funding.
" When established in an area, they can cause significant
economic damage by feeding seasonal nuts pretty much
throughout the season and growers have to spray to reduce
the damage, " he said.
He noted that in the southern San Joaquin County area,
the pest is not spreading as rapidly. Rijal said that the
difference in the spread of the pest may be related to a much
drier environment and higher temperatures, and BMSB
might have been acclimatizing.
Spotted lanternfly. Although California has no infestations
of invasive spotted lanternfly, yet, Rijal noted that he is
" nervous about it " as he knows of the rapid spread of this pest
on the East Coast. In early April, he delivered a talk to grape
growers about the spotted lanternfly concerns and what role
we can play in keeping it out of California.
" They are not here yet, but several interceptions have
occurred on the state border in the last two to three years,
based upon reports, " he said. " It could be just a matter of
time, and that we need to be prepared. "
Control efforts
Carpophilus beetle feeding damage in almond
nut. Photo by Jhalendra Rijal, UCCE.
16 MAY/JUNE 2024
Rijal advocated for a holistic approach to pest management,
emphasizing cultural practices as a cornerstone.
" Winter sanitization and early harvest are two highly
effective non-insecticidal practices, " Rijal said. " Early harvest
is also a consideration - plan to harvest a few days earlier
http://www.ucanr.edu
May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2024
