Control of infestations in shoots in summer
A spray of an approved insecticide should be applied as soon as damaging infestations are detected (see ‘monitoring’).
- Many insecticides are approved for control of aphids on apple but if aphids are the only pests that need to be controlled, flonicamid (Mainman) is the preferred choice in conventional orchards as it is selective and partially systemic.
- The neonicotinoid acetamiprid (Gazelle) is also highly effective. It will also control various other pests such as mussel scale.
- A full approval for spirotetramat (Batavia) on apples for the control of sucking insect pests will control green apple aphid, but growers may prefer to reserve its use for more difficult to control pests such as woolly aphid and rosy apple aphid. It must be applied after flowering and works best when pests are moving from brown wood to green tissue. It will prevent population build-up but does not offer pest ‘knockdown’.
- A recent EAMU for Flipper (fatty acids) has increased the available options should growers wish to reserve other insecticides for control of pests later in the season. It is known to complement the use of Batavia as it provides quick ‘knockdown’.
- Use of synthetic pyrethroids, which are harmful to natural enemies, should be avoided.
Control from applications of aphicides in spring
- A spray of an approved insecticide is often applied before blossom at the green cluster to pink bud growth stage against rosy apple aphid and/or apple grass aphid.
- Such applications will also control green apple aphid present at that time and will reduce, but not eliminate, the number of colonies that develop from winged migrants in summer.