Curculio control in Pear Trees - Ask Extension
Every year most of the pears I harvest have damage from plum curculio (this appears as a dimple in the fruit with a hard growth of sclerenchyma cells)...
Knowledgebase
Curculio control in Pear Trees #744323
Asked April 14, 2021, 2:16 PM EDT
Every year most of the pears I harvest have damage from plum curculio (this appears as a dimple in the fruit with a hard growth of sclerenchyma cells). This makes the fruit much harder to process and results in a large loss of useable fruit. What is the best way for me to treat my two pear trees to prevent this loss? They are good sized (20 and 30 feet tall) and I am open to both organic and conventional control methods. Thank you!
By the way, I am quite certain that the culprit is plum curculio as I have done the Master Gardener course work and have a strong horticultural background. Also, pears in Minnesota have few insect pests, and this one causes very distinctive damage.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Plum Curculio insecticides include the following: Malathion Insect Spray should begin treating when insects first appear. It is toxic to bees. Pyrethroids, Pyrethrins, or Triazicide Insect Killer for Lawns and Landscapes. Apply when insects appear or when damage occurs. Toxic to fish, aquatic organisms, and bees. Acetamiprid should not be applied when flowers are present
Organic methods of control.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/effectively_controlling_plum_curculio_in_stone_and_pome_fruits