Cherry Curculio infestation - Ask Extension
We bought our home 2 years ago and haven’t really paid much attention to the landscaping until this year (although we’ve noticed this issue with o...
Knowledgebase
Cherry Curculio infestation #467453
Asked July 03, 2018, 2:41 PM EDT
We bought our home 2 years ago and haven’t really paid much attention to the landscaping until this year (although we’ve noticed this issue with our cherry trees since we bought it). Finally had time to investigate the issue and it appears we have a significant cherry curculio problem. Looked at it under a microscope and looks like cherry vs plum curculio (and no half moon marks on fruit). We decided to remove the trees rather than treat them (we have organic gardens surrounding the trees and don’t want to spray them) and placed them on the side of our house. Should we treat/spray them before disposing of them? If so, which insecticide works on them? Should we lay a barrier where the cherry trees were for a year or two? Also, should we notify the Department of Agriculture to confirm findings/make a report? Thank you!
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
The cherry curculio is not an exotic pest, so no report is necessary. Here are a couple of suggestions on dealing with the pests. You do not need to put anything down where the trees were, Cherry curculio is not likely to attack anything else in your yard.
It is recommended that you place tarps under the tree and shake the branches to dislodge the weevil. This is best done when temperatures are between 65° - 70°. You will need to shake the branches several times because the weevils cling tightly. The following document contains information on the cherry curculio beetle:http://bspm.agsci.colostate.edu/files/2013/03/Cherry-Curculio.pdf
As you read the publication, you'll notice that if you use an insecticide to spray the trees, the recommended timing is after the bloom period.
It is recommended that you place tarps under the tree and shake the branches to dislodge the weevil. This is best done when temperatures are between 65° - 70°. You will need to shake the branches several times because the weevils cling tightly. The following document contains information on the cherry curculio beetle:http://bspm.agsci.colostate.edu/files/2013/03/Cherry-Curculio.pdf
As you read the publication, you'll notice that if you use an insecticide to spray the trees, the recommended timing is after the bloom period.
Thank you for your response. The document you attached is the only info I’ve been able to find on the cherry curculio, while there’s a wealth of data on the plum curculio! I do have 2 apple trees that shared a common space with the cherry ones (now removed) and none of the apples seem to be infected at this point. Is there a way to confirm that these were cherry (not plum) curculio? I’ve attached additional pics of damage to fruit if helpful. Thank you!
The cherry and plum curculio look very different. The insect that shows in one of the original photos you sent is clearly a cherry curculio. If you want, and you can catch one of the insects, you can bring it to the plant clinic at the extension office at the Jeffco fairgrounds for identification. Or you can see if the Library has a copy of "Garden Insects of North America" by Dr. Whitney Cranshaw. There is a picture of the plum curculio on page 568 and of the cherry curculio on page 570.
