How effective was your pest management program this season?
To get an accurate assessment of any pest problems in your orchard this season, look for damage in a harvest sample. Collect a representative sample of 300–500 almonds from the ground in each block after shaking but before sweeping. These samples can be refrigerated or frozen for later examination after harvest is over.
Harvest samples should be taken from the ground after shaking but before sweeping.
When it’s time to analyze the samples, look for visible damage by navel orangeworm (NOW), ants, oriental fruit moth, peach twig borer and leaffooted bug, referencing images on the UC IPM website for symptoms.
A distinct advantage of harvest sampling is that it provides an accurate read of not only the type of damage, but also the extent. For instance, lighter NOW- and ant-damaged nuts will be blown out at the huller and therefore the handler reject grade will be less than what is actually sustained at field level.
With an accurate representation of the pest activity in your orchard this season, you will be better prepared to plan your IPM program for next year.
