Plum Curculio

Description: Adult beetle, black or brownish black, is about 1/4" long, very hard, and has a beak 1/4 as long as its body. They prefer apples and stone fruits (peach, plum, etc.). Adults overwinter in the trash beneath trees, in fence rows, or in wooded areas. In spring they begin appearing at late bloom. Larvae bore to the center of the fruit immediately and feed near the core. After completing growth, the larva bores to the outside and drops to the ground. Through most of the season, eggs are laid under the skin of fruits, so little can be done to prevent fruit damage. Larval injury is extensive and usually causes fruit to fall before larva completes growth. Curculio is active only above 55° F.

Solution: Pick up and haul away damaged fruit to prevent larvae from getting into soil to complete life cycle. Grub Away Nematodes can be sprayed wherever apples drop, to reduce next year's curculio population. Curculio larvae drop from apples to pupate in soil, where nematodes can effectively reduce the population of overwintering adults. Surround At Home has an exciting promise as an excellent suppression tool. Begin using Surround At Home at petal fall, and repeat after rains or every 2 weeks to cover new growth.