stem Borer pest in apple crop

Measures to control stem Borer pest in apple crop

There are a few different types of stem borers that can infest apple crops, but the most common one is the round headed apple tree borer (Saperda candida). The adult beetle is about 3/4 inch long and black with white stripes. The larvae are white with brown heads and can grow up to 1 inch long.

stem Borer pest in apple crop

  • Scientific name: Apriona cinera 
  • Type: Pest
  • Target: Stem
  • Damage: Holes in the bark

  • Identification:
    Adult:

    • Light gray to dark brown in color
    • Approximately 1 to 1.5 inches long
    • Has numerous black tubercles (small bumps) on the base of its wing covers
    Egg:
    • Very small and difficult to see
    • Laid singly on the trunk or branches of the tree, under the bark
    • Appears as a small slit in the bark
    Larva (grub):
    • Creamy white with a dark brown head
    • Elongated and cylindrical in shape
    • Can grow up to 2 inches long
    Environmental favorable factors for pests/Diseases:
  • Temperature: Most stem borers are warm-season insects, with optimal activity and development occurring at temperatures between 25-30°C (77-86°F).
  • Humidity: Moderate to high humidity levels (60-80%) favor stem borer survival and egg development.

  • Symptoms of Pest/Disease:
    • Wilting or dying branches
    • Sawdust around the base of the tree
    • Holes in the bark
    • Sap oozing from the bark
    Measures to control Pests/Diseases:
    Products Technical Name Dosage
    Fantastic Chlorantranliprole 0.4% w/w GR 4 - 7.5 Kg/acre
    Docter 505 Chloropyriphos 50 % + cypermethrin 5 % EC 300 ml per acre
    Fluben Flubendiamide 39.35 % sc 40-50ml/acre
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