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Table 35. Highbush Blueberry Pest Management Table

Table 35. Highbush blueberry pest management table†.

For resistance management do not make more than 2 sequential applications of fungicides in the same FRAC group or insecticides in the same IRAC group. See product labels or RAC GROUP column in this table for groups.
Pest

RAC
Group

Spray Material, Rate/A
(pre harvest interval PHI)
Cultural Practices and
Scouting Notes
Comments
Dormant and Delayed Dormant
Scale insects  
 
Superior oil, 2-2.5% (0) Or
JMS Stylet Oil, 3-6 qt/100 (0)
SuffOil-X, 1-2% (0)
Prune out old, weakened canes.
 
Apply oil during dormancy using 250-300 gallons of spray (300-400 psi) per acre to ensure thorough coverage and when no danger of freezing temperatures within 24 hours.
Winter moth
IRAC

 

 
18
5
7C
5
1B

Superior oil, 2-2.5% (0) Or
JMS Stylet Oil, 3-6 qt/100 (0)
plus one of the following:

Confirm 2F, 16 oz (14)
Delegate WG, 3-6 oz (3)
Esteem 35WP, 5 oz (7)
Entrust, 1.25-2 oz (3)
Imidan 70W, 1 1/3 lb (3)

  Where winter moths are numerous, insecticide should be applied when eggs are hatching. If population not at outbreak levels (not defoliating trees) but still present, apply insecticide after caterpillars observed but before bloom.
Mummyberry
 
 
Bury over-wintering mummies by cultivation or applying 3-4" mulch before mushroom cups (apothecia) appear.
'Burlington', 'Collins', 'Jersey', 'Darrow', 'Rubel', and 'Bluetta' appear somewhat resistant; 'Earliblue' and 'Blueray' appear more susceptible to mummyberry.
Fusicoccom canker
Phomopsis twig blight
FRAC
M01
M01
M01
M01
M01
M02
3
M03
 
 
Badge SC, 2-4 pts (0)
Badge X2, 1-2.25 lb (0)
Cuprofix Ultra, 2-4 lb (0)
Kocide 2000/Kocide 2000-O, 2-4 lb (0)
Kocide 3000/Kocide 3000-O/Kocide, 1.0-2.25 lb (0)
Miller Lime Sulfur, 5-6 gal (0)
Quash, 2.5 oz (7)
Ziram 76DF, 1.5 lb (21)
 
Prune out and destroy affected canes.
'Weymouth', 'Berkeley', and 'Earliblue' are very susceptible to Fusicoccum.
Use Lime Sulfur only once in Spring. May be used again in autumn where Phomopsis is a problem.
Do not use Lime Sulfur within 14 days of an oil spray or when temperatures are above 75˚F.
Avoid practices such as late season fertilization that makes bushes more vulnerable to winter injury. Winter-injured bushes are more susceptible to Phomopsis and Fusicoccum infections.
Phytophthora root rot
FRAC
P07
P07
P07
P07
4
 
 
 
 

BM02
 
Aliette WDG, 5 lb (0.5)
pHorcePhite, 2-4 qt (0)
Phostrol, 2.5-5 pt (0)
ProPhyt, 4 pt (0)
Ridomil Gold SL (45)
New Plantings, 3.6 pt broadcast
at or before time of planting
(repeat once)
Established Plantings, 1/4 pt/1000 ft
of row, (repeat once)
RootShield Plus WP (0)
  • Do not plant blueberries on wet soils.
  • If wet site is unavoidable, install drainage tile and plant blueberries on raised beds.
  • Phytophthora damage symptoms may mimic nutritional deficiency symptoms.
Ridomil Gold: Apply only as an emergency use, not as a routine or preventative treatment.
Apply in spring before growth begins in established plantings. In new plantings, apply at or just after planting.
In new plantings, do not exceed 3.6 gallons/A within 12 months of harvest or illegal residues may result.
Aliette: Apply as a 5 ft. band. Do not tank mix Aliette with copper compounds or apply to foliage with copper residues or phytotoxicity may occur.
Phostrol: Begin foliar sprays at pink bud stage, and continue on a 14-21 day interval.
RootShield: In furrow spray or transplant starter: 16-32 oz/acre. Cutting or barerooted transplant dip:  6 oz/20 gal water
Bud-break (aka Bud Swell, Green tip) through pre-bloom
Gypsy moth
Winter moth
IRAC
11
3, UN
18
11
11
UN
3
18
 
UN
UN
11
Insecticides listed at dormant plus:
Agree WG, 0.5-2 lb (0)
Azera, 1-3.5 pt (0)
Confirm 2F, 16 oz (14)
Deliver, 0.25 - 1.5 lb (0)
Dipel DF, 0.5-2 lb (0)
Grandevo DF, 1-3 lb (0)
*Hero, 4-10.3 oz (1)
Intrepid 2F, 16 oz (7)
Molt-X, 8-10 oz (0)
Venerate XC, 1-8 qt (0)
XenTari, 0.5-2 lb (0)
 
Confirm and Intrepid are most effective against young larval stages.

Use Grandevo when pest populations are low and/or in young growth stage.
Blueberry blossom weevil,
Cranberry weevil
IRAC
3
28
 
*Asana XL, 4.8-9.6oz (14)
Verdepryn 100SL, 8.2-11 fl. oz. (1)
Disking between rows and raking/hoeing under plants helpful.
Eradication of wild blueberries in the vicinity of the blueberry planting is advised.
Mummy berry
FRAC
BM02
11
M5
BM02
M4
M4
17, M4
BM02
BM02
3
BM02
7,9
29
M05
3
19
7, 11
3
3
3
3, 11
P05
BM02
9,12
 
Actinovate AG, 3-12 oz (0)
Abound F, 6.0-15.5 oz (0)
Bravo Ultrex, 2.7-3.6 lb (42)
BotryStop, 3 lb (0)
Captan 80 WDG, 1.25-3.1 lb (0)
Captec 4L, 0.75-1 qt (0)
Captevate 68 WDG, 4.7 lb (0)
Double Nickel 55, 0.25-3 lb (0)
Double Nickel LC, 0.5-6 qt (0)
Indar 75 WSP, 2 oz (30)
LifeGard, 4.5 oz/100 gal (0)
Luna Tranquility, 13.6-27 oz (0)
Omega 500F, 1.25 pts (30)
Oranil 6L, 3-4 pt (42)
Orbit, Tilt, 6 oz (30)
Oso 5% SC, 6.5% (0)
Pristine, 18.5-23 oz (0)
Proline 480 SC, 5.7 oz (7)
PropiMax EC, 6 oz (30)
Quash, 2.5 oz (7)
Quilt Xcel, 14-21 fl oz (30)
Regalia, 1-4 qt (0)
Serenade Max, 1-3 lb (0)
Switch, 11-14 oz (0)
Before mummy cups appear (mid-March), disk between rows and rake, sweep, and hoe under plants or cover with 3-4” of mulch.
As first mummy cups appear, apply 200 lbs of 50% Urea prills.
Cultivation and Urea are most effective when both are used.
Abound should be used with extreme caution to avoid phytotoxicity to apples. See label for further information.
Use of propiconazole for mummy berry control has been associated with an increase in Botrytis severity.
 
Tank mix Regalia with other registered fungicides.
 
Double Nickel and Oranil for mummy berry suppression only.
 
Be aware of pre-harvest interval restrictions for Omega and Oranil.

Do not use a silicone surfactant or penetrant adjuvant with BotryStop.
 
 
Early to mid-bloom
Gypsy moth
Winter moth
IRAC
11
11
11
11

Agree WG, .5-2 lb (0)
Deliver, 0.25 - 1.5 lb (0)
Dipel DF, 0.5-2 lb (0)
XenTari, 0.5-2 lb (0)
   
Mummy berry
 
Same as bud-break through pre-bloom
Scout field for mummyberry strikes to determine risk level for secondary infections.
Fungicide applications are especially important following frost/freeze events during bloom.
Botrytis blossom and twig blight
FRAC
BM02
BM02
M4 
17, M4
BM02
BM02
BM02
7,9
UN
3
BM02
M03


Actinovate AG, 3-12 oz (0)
BotryStop, 3 lb (0)
Captan 50WP, 5 lb (0)
CaptEvate 68WDG, 3.5-4.7 lb (0)
Double Nickel 55, 0.25-3 lb (0)
Double Nickel LC, 0.5-6 qt (0)
LifeGard LC, 4.5 oz/100 (0)
Luna Tranquility, 16-27 oz (0)
Oxidate, 40-128 oz (0)
Quash, 2.5 oz (7)
Serenade Max, 1-3 lb (0)
Ziram 76DF, 3 lb (21)

Avoid high rates of nitrogen fertilizer which tends to promote growth that is more susceptible to infection. Do not use a silicone surfactant or penetrant adjuvant with BotryStop.
Anthracnose
Phomopsis twig blight
FRAC
UN
M4
17, M4
M01
BM02
BM02
17
BM02
29
M5
19
P07
7, 11
3
3
3, 11
NC
BM02
9, 12
M03
 
 
Actinovate AG, 3-12 oz (0)
Captan 50WP, 5 lb (0)
Captevate 68 WDG, 3.5-4.7 lb (0)
Cueva, 0.5-2 gal (0)
Double Nickel 55, 0.25-3 lb (0)
Double Nickel LC, 0.5-6 qt (0)
Elevate 50WDG, 1.5 lb (0)
LifeGard, 4.5 oz/100 (0)
Omega 500F, 1.25 pt (30)
Oranil 6L, 3-4 pt (42)
Oso 5% SC, 6.5 oz (0)
pHorcepHite, 2-4 qt (0)
Pristine WG, 18.5-23 oz (0)
Proline 480 SC, 5.7 oz (7)
Quash, 2.5 oz (7)
Quilt Xcel, 14-21 fl oz (30)
Rendition, 48 oz (0)
Serenade Max, 1-3 lb (0)
Switch, 11-14 oz (0)
Ziram 76DF, 3 lb (21)
 
Many mummy berry materials also labeled for these diseases.
Use Captevate at the highest rate (4.7 lb) for anthracnose. Captevate NOT labeled for Phomopsis.
Be aware of pre-harvest interval restrictions for Omega and Oranil.
Apply Cueva at start of flowering and every 7-10 days through bloom. Do not reapply within 7 days.
Rendition is hydrogen peroxide plus peroxyacetic acid. Apply during bloom when weather conditions favor disease development.
Blueberry leaf rust
FRAC
NC
M5
3
3
3
3
NC
 
JMS Stylet Oil, 3-6 qt/100 (0)
Oranil 6L, 3-4 pt (post harvest)
Orbit, Tilt, 6 oz (30)
Proline 480 SC, 5.7 oz (7)
PropiMax EC, 6 oz (30)
Quash, 2.5 oz (7)
SuffOil-X, 1-2% (0)
Remove alternate host (Hemlock) from within 1/4 mile if possible, especially those upwind of blueberry planting.
 
Plant resistant cultivars such as 'Bluecrop', 'Burlington', 'Collins', 'Dixi', 'Earliblue', 'Ivanhoe', 'Stanley', or 'Weymouth' if possible.
 
Oranil can be used after harvest to maintain healthy foliage.
Powdery mildew
FRAC
BM02
3
NC
M02
7,9
M02
BM02
3
NC
3
3
NC
18B
 
Actinovate AG, 3-12 oz (0)
Indar 75 WSP, 2 oz (30)
JMS Stylet Oil, 3 qts (0)
Kumulus DF, 6-15 lb (0)
Luna Tranquility, 13.6-27 oz (0)
Microthiol Disperss, 6-15 lb (0)
Milstop SP 2.5-5 lb (0)
Orbit, Tilt, 6 oz (30)
Oxidate, 40-128 oz (0)
PropiMax EC, 6 oz (30)
Quash, 2.5 oz (7)
SuffOil-X, 1-2% (0)
Trilogy, 1-2% sol (0)
Prune for good drying conditions.
Plant resistant cultivars when possible.
Do not use sulfur products and oil products within 2 weeks of each other.
Petal Fall (remove honey bees before spraying)
Cranberry fruitworm
Cherry fruitworm
IRAC
11
28
3
4A
22A
11
3
18
3
5
11
11
5
7C
28
UN
3,4A
1B
18
1A
1B
UN
3
15
1A
UN
11
28
 
Agree WG, .5-2 lb (0)
Altacor, 3.0-4.5 oz (1)
*Asana XL, 4.8-9.6 0z (14)
Assail 30 SG, 4.5-5.3 oz (1)
Avaunt, 3.5-6 oz, (7)
Biobit 1.6 FC, 1-2 pt (0)
*Brigade WSB, 5.3-16 oz (1)
Confirm 2F, 16 oz (14)
*Danitol 2.4E, 10.6 (3)
Delegate WG, 3-6 oz (3)
Deliver, 0.25-1.5 lbs (0)
DiPel DF, 1-2 lb (0)
Entrust, 1.25-2 oz (3)
Esteem 0.86EC, 16 oz (7)
Exirel, 10-13.5 fl oz (3)
Grandevo, 1-3 lb (0)
*Hero, 40-10.3 oz (1)
Imidan 70W, 1 1/3 lb (3)
Intrepid 2F, 10-16 oz (?)
*Lannate 90, 0.5 - 1 lb (3)
Malathion 5E, 1.5 pt (1)
Molt-X, 8 oz (0)
Pyrenone 0.5EC, 2-12 oz (0)
Rimon 0.83EC, 20 oz (8)
Sevin XLR, 1.5-2 qts (7)
Venerate XC,1-8 qt (0)
Verdepryn 100SL, 8.2-11 fl. oz. (1)
XenTari, .5-2 lb (0)
Disking between rows and raking and hoeing under plants is helpful for fruitworm management.
In small plantings remove and destroy infested fruit (which can be identified because it turns prematurely blue)
Fruitworms are active for about five weeks and they cannot be controlled with only one post-pollination spray.
Agree, Biobit and DiPel are bacterial biological insecticides containing Bacillus thuringiensis and must be ingested to be effective. Apply when newly hatched larvae (1st or 2nd instar) begin feeding. Larvae cease feeding in hours and die in 2-5 days.
White grubs
IRAC
4A
 N/A
 
 
Admire Pro, 7-14 oz soil (7)
NemaShield HB, 1 billion nematodes (0)
 
Apply Admire Pro through low pressure irrigation or as a band treatment followed by rainfall or irrigation. Do not exceed 0.5 lb active ingredient per acre per year. The most effective timing is between June 1 and July 15.
 
When applying nematodes, water after application and keep soil moist two weeks after application.  
 
   
 
 
Aphid
IRAC
4A
3
4A
3, UN
3
15,4A
UN
28
UN
3,4A
3
23

3
4A
23,7C
4D
UN
 
UN
 
Actara, 3-4 oz (3)
*Asana XL, 4.8-9.6 oz (14)
Assail 30SG, 2.5-5.3 oz (1)
Azera, 1-3.5 pt (0)
*Brigade WSB, 5.3-16 oz (1)
Cormoran, 9-12 oz (8)
Des-X, 2% sol. (0)
Exirel, 13.5-20.5 fl oz (3)
Grandevo DF, 1-3 lb (0)
*Hero, 4-10.3 oz (1)
Molt-X, 8-10 oz (0)
Movento 2SC, 8-10 oz (7)
M-Pede, 1-2% sol. (0)
Neemix, .25-1 pt (0)
Platinum, 5-12 fl oz (75)
Senstar, 16-20 fl oz (7)
Sivanto Prime 200SL, 7-10.5 fl oz (3)
 SuffOil-X, 1-2% (0)
Trilogy, 1-2% sol (0)
Venerate XC, 2-4 qt (0)
 
Aphids can vector the phytoplasma that causes Blueberry Scorch disease and so should be controlled in blueberry plantings.
Mix penetrating adjuvant with Movento.
 
Venerate for aphid suppression only.
Anthracnose
 
Same as early-mid bloom
 
 
Powdery mildew
 
Same as early-mid bloom
 
 
First cover (about 10 days after Petal Fall; some berries begin to color)
Cranberry fruitworm
Cherry fruitworm
 
Same as petal fall
 
Apply 7 to 12 days after petal fall
Blueberry maggot
IRAC
3
4A
UN
3
15,4A
3
5
28
5
UN
3,4A
1B
1A
1B
UN
23
3A
15
1A
4D
 
3
28
 
*Asana XL, 9.6 oz (14)
Assail 30 SG, 4.5-5.3 oz (1)
Aza-Direct, 1-3.5 pts (0)
*Brigade WSB, 5.3-16 oz (1)
Cormoran, 12 oz (1)
*Danitol 2.4EC, 10.6 oz (3)
Delegate 25WG, 3-6 oz (3)
Exirel, 13.5-20.5 oz (3)
GF-120 Naturalyte Bait, 10-20oz (1)
Grandevo WDG, 2-3 lb (0)
*Hero 4-10.3 oz (1)
Imidan 70 W, 1 1/3 lb (3)
*Lannate SP, 0.25-0.5 lb (3)
Malathion 5EC, 1 pt (1)
Molt-X, 8-10 oz (0)
Movento, 10 oz (7)
Pyrenone 0.5EC, 2-12 oz (0)
Rimon 0.83EC, 20-30 of (8)
Sevin 4F, 1.5-2 pt (7)
Sivanto Prime, 12-14 fl oz (3)
Surround WP, 12.5-50 lb (0)
Tersus, 4.5-17 fl (0)
Verdepryn 100SL, 8.2-11 fl. oz. (1)
Use sticky traps (red/green spheres or yellow rectangles; See source listing in appendix) to monitor population and activity.
Apply insecticide 7-10 days after first trap catch.
Check traps twice each week.
Apply sprays when berries begin to turn blue or when flies begin to lay eggs, usually late June. Repeat every 10 days through harvest.
Be aware of pre-harvest intervals and other restrictions with repeated sprays.
Malathion should be used with 1.5 qt Staley’s Sauce Base No. 7 (NuLure).
 
Mix penetrating adjuvant with Movento.
 
Delegate for blueberry maggot suppression.
 
GF-120 Naturalyte Bait contains sugar as an insect attractant, in order to increase efficacy of the active ingredient.
Brown marmorated stink bug
(BMSB)
IRAC
4A
3, UN
3
3
3
3,4A
1A
1B
3
UN
 
Admire Pro, 2.1-2.8 oz (3)
Azera, 1-3.5 pt (0)
*Bifenture 10DF, 5.3-16.0 oz (1)
*Brigade WSB, 5.3-16.0 oz (1)
*Danitol 2.4EC, 10.6 oz (3)
*Hero, 4-10.3 oz (1)
*Lannate 90, 0.5 - 1 lb (3)
Malathion 5E, 2.5-3 pt (1)
*Mustang Max 4.0 oz (1)
Surround WP, 12.5-50 lb (0)
 
As of 2020, brown marmorated stink bugs have been found in all New England states but have not been reported as a problem in blueberry production.
Aphids
 
Same as petal fall
 
 
Anthracnose
 
Same as petal fall
 
 
Powdery mildew
 
Same as petal fall
 
 
Spotted wing Drosophila
(SWD)
IRAC
4A
3
3
3
15,4A
3
5
5
28
UN
3
1B
1A
3
3A
15
28
 
Assail 30 SG 4.0-6.9 oz (1)
*Asana XL, 4.8-9.6 0z (14)
*Bifenture 10DF, 5.3-16.0 oz (1)
*Brigade WSB, 5.3-16.0 oz (1)
Cormoran, 20 oz (8)
*Danitol 2.4EC, 10.6 oz (3)
Delegate WG, 6 oz (3)
Entrust, 4-6 oz (3)
Exirel, 13.5-20.5 (3)
Grandevo DF, 2-3 lb (0)
*Hero, 4-10.3 oz (1)
Imidan 70 W, 1 1/3 lb (3)
*Lannate 90, 0.5 - 1 lb (3)
*Mustang Max, 4.0 oz (1)
  Pyganic 1.4EC, 32-64 oz (0)
Rimon 0.83EC, 20-30 oz (8)
Verdepryn 100SL, 8.2-11 fl. oz. (1)
Use traps baited with apple cider vinegar plus ethanol alcohol (90% apple cider vinegar plus 10% ethanol) and/or fermenting yeast to monitor population.
Spray once SWD adults are captured and fruit begins to turn color.
 
Grandevo for SWD suppression only.
 
When using Rimon, tank mix with an adulticide to control adult SWD
Second and additional covers (10 days from previous cover, repeat as needed)
Blueberry maggot   Same as first cover above See comments above for Blueberry maggot
Brown marmorated stink bug   Same as first cover above  
Japanese beetle and other scarab beetles
IRAC
4A
4A
28
3
4A
UN
3A
3
28
3
1B
UN
N/A
4A
3A
1A
 
3
28
 
Actara, 3-4 oz (3)
Admire Pro, 2.1-2.8 oz (3)
Altacor, 4.5 oz (1)
*Asana XL, 4.8-9.6 oz (14)
Assail 30 SG, 4.5-5.3 oz (1)
Aza-Direct, 1-3.5 pts (0)
*Brigade 2EC, 2.1-6.4 (1)
*Danitol 2.4EC, 10.6 oz (3)
Exirel, 13.5-20.5 (3)
*Hero, 4-10.3 oz (1)
Imidan 70W, 1.3 lbs (3)
Molt-X, 8-10 oz (0)
NemaShield HB, 1 billion nematodes (0)
Platinum, 5-12 oz (75)
Pyrenone 0.5EC, 2-12 oz (0)
Sevin XLR Plus, 1-2 qt (7)
Surround WP, 12.5-50 lb (0)
Tersus, 4.5-17 fl (0)
Verdepryn 100SL, 8.2-11 fl. oz. (1)
Traps are not recommended as they tend to draw more beetles to the area than they remove.
Bushes can withstand significant feeding injury without yield impact but fruit contamination with feces may be unacceptable, especially for packout.
Admire Pro rate is for foliar applied; see label for soil applied rate.
 
The use of Sevin may result in the build up of aphids due to the elimination of natural predators.
 
Surround labeled for suppression only.
 
Aza-Direct acts as a feeding repellent and requires frequent reapplication.
 
When applying nematodes, water after application and keep soil moist two weeks after application.  
 
   
 
 
Anthracnose
 
Same as First Cover above
 
See Captan comments in Petal Fall Section.
Powdery mildew
 
Same as First Cover above
 
 
Spotted wing Drosophila
 
Same as First Cover above
 
 
Post-harvest
Sharp-nosed leafhopper
IRAC
4A
3
3
3
3
1A
1B
1A
 
Actara, 3-4 oz (3)
*Asana XL, 4.8-9.6 oz (14)
*Bifenture 10DF, 5.3-16.0 oz (1)
*Brigade WSB, 5.3-16 oz (1)
*Hero, 4-10.3 oz (1)
*Lannate LV, 1.5 pt (3)
Malathion 5E, 2.5-3 pt (1)
Sevin XLR Plus, 1-2 qt (7)
Rogue out plants affected with blueberry stunt.
Monitor insects with yellow sticky traps and control when found.
Each of these sprays will control sharp-nosed leafhopper, the only known carrier of the blueberry stunt mycoplasma.
Powdery mildew
 
Same as Second Cover above
Plant resistant cultivars when possible.
Plant and prune for good air circulation and drying conditions.
Do not use sulfur products and oil products within 2 weeks of each other.
Phomopsis twig blight
FRAC
M02
 
Miller Lime Sulfur, 5 gal (0)
 
Apply in late October or when 2/3 of leaves drop on Weymouth and Berkeley.
Where brand names for chemicals are used, it is for the reader’s information. No endorsement is implied, nor is discrimination intended against products with similar ingredients. Please consult pesticide product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks.
RAC=Resistance Action Committee group for resistance management.  Fungicides=FRAC, Insecticides=IRAC
*Restricted use pesticide; pesticide applicators license required. OMRI listed for organic production. (UN) unknown mode of action.
For resistance management do not make more than 2 sequential applications of fungicides in the same FRAC group or insecticides in the same IRAC group. See product labels or RAC column in this table for groups.