What insecticide for gypsy moths on apple trees?
- Thread starter Bowhunter
- Start date
Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
I use Sevin, although not specifically labeled for gypsy moths it is labeled for use on fruit trees and other fruit crops and is very effective with about a 2 week period of effectiveness depending on rain. Sevin is readily available and popular with commercial growers. Malathion or Pyrethrum will kill them as well. I read that the natural bacterial Monterey B.T. Insecticide is specifically labeled for gypsy moths, but have never used it. I would use Sevin if you have it available. Yesterday I was visiting my brother in law close to Dundee NY and they were having a gypsy moth infestation of biblical proportions.
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Mennoniteman
Well-Known Member
I have a yearly attack by Japanese Beetles on my apple trees, I've been using Permethrin, which is the man-made version of the naturally occurring Pyrethrum, and one application does the job, but Permethrin isn't labeled for edible crops and my apples are starting to produce pretty good, so this year I'm switching to Malathion, which is a popular insecticide for fruit trees, hopefully it's as effective as the Permethrin was. The reason why I picked Malathion over Sevin is because Malathion is more effective on aphids and I've observed some on my trees. Other than dormant oil I don't spray my fruit trees unless it's a life and death situation like the Japanese beetles, but if i have to spray anyway I want to target as many problem insects as I can.
Good to know, a friend has bagworms & was asking me how to eradicate them...
Keith Nehrke
Member
Late to the game for Gypsy, I know, but we used Sevin this year on all of our young trees, hardwood and fruit trees both, and with minor exceptions got them through the devastation. Some of our surrounding hillsides are over 70% defoliated. It's simply insane. But the caterpillars should be pupating now (or so I hope). It took three rounds of spraying using 4 gallon backpack sprayers to keep the trees safe, but well worth it for young plantings. The older trees just had to fend for themselves, though.
Buckly
Well-Known Member
I have found huge amounts of gypsy moth larvae dead on my fruit trees. I mean thousands. That’s a good thing. After researching, apparently there is a fungus . Lymantria dispar that lives in the ground. When the caterpillars crawl down the tree to cool off in the warm weather they get infected and die on the way back up. They die hanging straight down so this is how I know as that’s what I see. There is also a virus carried by insects called nucleopolyhedrisis that the larvae get and will die in an upside down V. Which I have also seen. The fungus was imported from Japan so my research indicates. It has saved my trees here but, I know of areas about 30 miles South that are having problems
