Pear Psylla
Symptom - Leaves Yellow and May Drop
Psyllids are jumping insects which produce a honeydew that invites infections of fungal molds harmful to pear trees. The insects attack the blossoms and prevent fruit set. Adult psyllids are reddish brown and emerge in spring and mate. Females then lay their yellow eggs on twigs. The immature insects and adults feed by sucking out the tree's juices. Leaf yellowing and a general decline in vigor indicate that your trees have pear psyllids. Severely infected trees may (drop)their leaves.
The best preventive measure is a thorough dormant-oil spray in the early spring before the leaves come out.
To control psyllids later in the season, spray visible insects with insecticidal soap every 3 to 4 days until they are gone. In the fall spray pear trees with a light horticultural oil.
AzaMax will control this pest insect
AzaMax is a natural product with a broad spectrum of pest control and broad plant applications. AzaMax is an anti-feedant and insect growth regulator which control (kills) pests through starvation and growth disruption within two or three days. Therefore this product is used when the bugger is chomping on the foliage. Any of the sprayers can be used to apply AzaMax
For more information about AzaMax go to the Yardener's Tool Shed; click here
PEAR PSYLLA
DESCRIPTION OF PEAR PSYLLA
Pear psylla - this insect is aphid-like but with jumping legs. The first three stages are tiny and live inside droplets of honeydew they secrete. The older stages move about. They feed on new stems, buds and undersides of leaves. Apply first spray before blossom and the second after petal fall. Thereafter spray at 2-3 week intervals.
Adult psyllids are reddish brown and ;1/10 inch long. They lay yellowish eggs on twigs, on the base of buds, or on leaves. The immature insects are very active. Nymphs and adults feed by sucking out the plant's juices. Adults spend winter on or near host plants. There are usually three to four generations per year. Pear psylla causes damage from feeding and spreads fire blight. It is found mostly in eastern and western parts of the country, rather than the central states.
After overwintering on or near pear trees, reddish brown adults emerge in spring and mate. Females begin laying eggs on twigs in early spring. The adults begin to lay eggs when the temperature gets up to 70F, sometimes at slightly lower temperatures on a sunny day with no wind. The immature insects and adults feed by sucking out the plant's juices, causing leaf yellowing and general decline in vigor. Severely infected trees may (drop)their leaves. The pear psylla secretes honeydew, a sticky, sugary substance that coats leaves and may cause the growth of a sooty black mold. There are usually three to four generations per year. Causes damage from feeding and spreads fire blight. Found mostly in eastern and western, rather than central, parts of the country.
MOST OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS OF THE PEAR PSYLLA
Plants infested with psyllids show leaf yellowing and general decline in vigor. Severely infected trees may (drop)their leaves. These pests secrete honeydew, a sticky, sugary substance that coats leaves and fruit and may encourage the growth of a sooty black mold. Fruit is scarred and possibly misshapen. Yellow jackets may congregate around the black fungus caused by the honeydew.
'Soot' on your trees, called sooty mold, won't hurt them, because it's not a disease. It's a saprophytic fungus that lives on the sticky honeydew secreted by small (1/10 inch long) insect pests called pear psyllas. They rarely do serious damage, but if you find the sooty mold unsightly, spray the trees with a dormant oil in early to mid-April. Repeat seven to 10 days later. If psyllas and sooty mold are a problem later in the season, dust trees with diatomaceous earth or ground limestone.
Leaf yellowing and general decline in vigor. severely infected trees may (drop)their leaves. The pear psylla secretes honeydew, a sticky, sugary substance that coats leaves and may cause the growth of a sooty black mold.
BEST QUICK SOLUTION FOR CONTROLLING PEAR PSYLLA
During growing season, spray with insecticidal soap. In fall spray tree with light horticultural oil and in early spring, spray with dormant oil before leaves emerge.
OPTIONS FOR CONTROLLING PEAR PSYLLA
EMERGENT TIMES FOR PEAR PSYLLA
After over-wintering on or near pear trees, reddish brown adults emerge in spring and mate. Females begin laying eggs on twigs in early spring.
Adults emerge in spring and mate. They lay eggs when temperatures reach 70°F, or a bit lower if there is no wind.
EARLY WARNING DEVICES AVAILABLE FOR PEAR PSYLLA - ALLOWS YOU TO NIP THEM EARLY?
Yellow jackets may congregate around the black fungus caused by the honey dew left by the pear psylla.
Prevention
Pick up damaged fruit and rake away infested leaves throughout the season. In fall, clear away weeds, and burn or otherwise destroy all of this debris, for it harbors psyllids.
Natural Control
Ladybugs and lacewings will eat pear psylla larvae.
NATURAL SPRAYS FOR CONTROLLING PEAR PSYLLA
Light Horticultural Oil Spray
Control with light horticultural oil spray in the fall. A fall spraying is better than a spring spray because it will not affect many of the beneficial insects that are present i the trees in very early spring. Spray again in the spring with heavy dormant oil spray at first sight of eggs (use a 10-power magnifying flass to find the little yellow eggs at the base of the bud scales.) Then spray again 7 days later until the leaves start to emerge. The insects don't seem to like laying eggs on this oily surface.
Insecticidal soap
Commercial insecticidal soap is effective in controlling pear psylla during the growing season. Spray every 2-3 days for two weeks for bad infestations. Cover the plant thoroughly. Soap sprays are contact insecticides so spray the plant top to bottom - especially under the leaves, where you`ll find most pest insects.
