Greetings,
First post for me. I live in Los Osos, Ca. Zone 10 (hence my name LowChill!).
I’ve been growing apple/asian pear trees for about 4 years now. I have them espaliered along the fence in my back yard. They are doing quite well, but a few years ago I noticed a strange “slug” on the asian pears. They don’t get in the fruit, but do a good number on the leaves. After further research revealed that they are pear sawfly larvae.
So my question is…how do I get rid of them? I haven’t sprayed my trees yet, but guessing I need to. What would be the best treatment for this pest?
thanks!
Steve
2 Likes
Yup, we have them terribly here in both N and S California. Most of their damage is cosmetic unless you have really high populations, but Spinosad will do them in. Supposedly, you can hose them off, but it takes a pretty strong spray, and I felt like I was wasting a lot of water trying to hose them off. Contrary to their name, they are actually not a fly, but in the wasp family, interestingly. Their larvae are horridly ugly, like little slimy slugs, ick. They get after both my pears and my cherries.
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r603302211.html
http://jenny.tfrec.wsu.edu/opm/displaySpecies.php?pn=210
Patty S.
1 Like
Thanks for the reply. After reading more about them…it sounds like you can’t treat them before, but after they emerge?
Is the spray you suggested ( Spinosad) organic? I haven’t had to spray my trees yet.
Thanks!
Steve
Spinosad is organic. Spray when you see the larvae. You can use a sticking agent in combination (I like to use Neem), and my spraying is much after blossom time, so no worries about bees or other pollinators.
3 Likes
OK…great! So do you mix the neem into the spinosad? What kind of ratio do you mix it with?
thanks!!
I mix up the Spinosad and the Neem separately, to their correct ratios per label, then add them to my sprayer. I use regular Neem, not raw Neem.
Patty S.
Thanks a bunch. I just bought both!