Visual assessment: Examine the blossom trusses, leaves etc. closely or a take a quick look at shoot tips for aphids, aphid damage, caterpillar damage, scab and mildew.
- Normal eyesight (with spectacles if necessary) is needed and a hand lens (x10 is usually adequate) is necessary for small pests such as spider mites, small caterpillars, early signs of scab lesions etc.
- Rust mites are generally easier to spot with a 20x hand lens.
Beating: A branch is tapped sharply (to jar the branch to dislodge insects) with the hand or a beater (e.g. 0.25 m long stiff rubber pressure hose) over a 0.25 m2 area beating tray or net.
- This method gives good estimates of apple blossom weevil, capsids, caterpillars and beneficial insects, but it is important to avoid damage to the branch.
Pheromone traps:
- The trap for each species should be separated by several, preferably at least 10, metres.
- The traps should be set out at petal fall and monitored weekly.
- Lures should be changed as per the manufacturer’s instructions, but at least monthly where instructions are not given.