Outcome Development of a Holistic Management Plan for the Apple Flea Weevil

The apple flea weevil has rapidly become a serious pest of organic apples in Michigan, causing significant damage too flower buds and leaves. This project conducted a study on the feasibility of managing apple flea weevil with cultural control methods and biopesticides.

Based on the results, the researchers suggest that apple flea weevil be managed using a combination of Entrust® applications and fall cultivation. Entrust® applications should be made in the spring in orchards experiencing moderate to heavy damage in the previous summer. Applications appear to function best when applied during the “tight cluster” stage of bud development. Summer applications of Entrust® could also be used to reduce the overwintering populations. Applications targeting this generation should be applied after summer adult emergence begins and might be integrated into a codling moth or Oriental fruit moth management program. Strip cultivation within the orchard drip-line may also impact apple flea weevil populations if made between late July and November. Because apple flea weevil has only one generation per year the researchers’ suggested integrated management program would be to cultivate each year and apply Entrust®, targeting the current summer of following spring generations in years where the pest is causing moderate to heavy damage (three or more feeding sites per leaf).