Apple maggot

            Apple maggot trap captures continue to be low in four monitored blocks at Highmoor Farm.

 

 

 

 

Mites

     The recommended treatment threshold for European red mite for August 1 -15 is an average of 7.5 living hatched mites per leaf, or an average of 86% of leaves in a 100-leaf sample have mites.  For a smaller 40-leaf sample, treatment is not recommended if 27 or fewer of the 40 leaves have mites present.  This is the last week recommended for monitoring.

 

 

 

Flyspeck

     Sovran, Flint, Pristine or Topsin + Captan provide the longest protection against flyspeck.  Before putting the sprayer away, check the flyspeck respray interval tables at http://pronewengland.org/AllModels/MEmodel/RADARME-MonmouthLate.htm#FLYSPECK

to get some perspective on whether the final application is late enough to provide the protection you need.  The estimates shown there are conservative, especially for small trees in locations with good air drainage.  Actual protection may last longer than indicated, and latest safe harvest dates may be later than indicated.  But the estimates also cannot predict a late August thunderstorm that drops 2 inches of rain and washes away fungicide protection.

 

 

 

The final section of this newsletter is a repeat from the previous issue.  The more comments submitted, the better the chance that EPA will reconsider the proposed new restrictions on Imidan for use on apples (7 day reentry interval, no use in Pick your own orchards).  It does not take long to submit a comment.  Comments are not graded for literary brilliance.  As Woody Allen said “80% of life is just showing up.”  EPA is looking to see how many growers show up to defend continued viability of Imidan for use in apple orchards.  The deadline is August 8, but if you are reading this after August 8, in previous reviews EPA has accepted comments past the deadline.

 

Proposed Imidan label changes

        August 8 is the final day that EPA will collect comments for proposed changes to future Imidan insecticide labels.

 

 

        Imidan insecticide has been an important IPM tool in Maine apple orchards for many years.  EPA has proposed label changes that if adopted would significantly reduce its utility for many Maine apple growers.  The manufacturer of Imidan (Gowan Company) is rebutting the proposed Imidan label changes for a 7-day REI and prohibition on use in pick your own orchards. 

 

 

        Individual letters from growers explaining how the proposed changes will affect your operation can influence the final EPA decision.

 

 

 Here are steps to submit a comment to EPA:

 

1. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main

 

2. In the box labeled “Keyword or ID” enter the Imidan docket number:
EPA-HQ-OPP-2002-0354

 

 

3. Click on the “Submit” button in the lower right hand corner of the page.

 

 

4.  On the new page that opens, click on yellow button on the right side where it says “Add Comments”.

 

 

5.  This opens a new page where you can give your organization and name (not required), and a box where you can write or paste in your comments. 

 

 

       You must enter something in the comment box.  If you want to write a letter beforehand, you can just enter "Please see attached letter" in the comment box, and then upload the letter as a Word, WordPerfect, or Text file.  In case they have trouble opening an attached letter file, it may help to enter your email address in the comment box so they can contact you if there is a problem.

 

 

        To submit a letter as an attached file, click on the "browse" button to find the document file on your computer, then click “Open”, then click on the “Add Attachment” button.

 

 

6.  After entering text in the comment box (and uploading a letter file if you choose to do that), click on "Next step" button in the lower right hand corner of the page.

 

 

7.  On the next page that appears, the final step is to click on the “Submit” in the lower right hand corner.  This sends your comments to EPA.

 

 

        It may also help to send a copy of your comments to Jim Cranney at US Apple: jcranney@usapple.org

 

 

 

- Glen

 

 

Glen Koehler
Pest Management Office
491 College Avenue
Orono, ME  04473
Voice:  207-581-3882
Email:  gkoehler@umext.maine.edu
Web:  PRONewEngland.org
Fax:  207-581-3881
TDD 1-800-287-8957

 

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life. - Leo Buscaglia