News release, May 21, 1999, effective immediately.
For media inquiries, contact Caroline Booth Lara, Communications Specialist, (580) 224-6379.
  email: cblara@noble.org

Pecan Producers: Watch for Casebearers!

Area pecan producers are urged to watch for possibly heavy infestation of casebearer eggs in pecan nut clusters after a large number of adult casebearer moths were caught in insect traps May 14 at a Noble Foundation farm in Love County, Okla.

Soil and pecan specialist Scott Landgraf, with the Noble Foundation, said the moths can be expected to lay eggs in pecan nut clusters within seven to 10 days, or by Monday, May 24.

"All pecan producers in Southern Oklahoma and North Texas should be keeping a close watch on their pecan trees over the next several days," Landgraf warned. A "threshold level" in need of chemical attention (spraying) would be if about 6 percent or more of a tree's nut clusters are infested with casebearer moth eggs, he added.

The most environmentally friendly chemicals Landgraf suggests, and their application rates, are Confirm™, 8 oz. per acre; and Javelin™, 1 pound per acre. He urges producers to carefully read and follow all instructions with chemicals.

On May 14, 177 adult casebearer moths were captured in a trap at the Red River Demonstration and Research Farm near Burneyville, Okla. Larry Taliaferro, RRDRF manager, said no eggs or entries into new nut clusters were found in the 110 clusters checked Thursday, May 20.

The next day, Taliaferro said he found two eggs in 175 clusters, and no entry, which Landgraf called, "Right on target" with predictions.

Landgraf suggests all area pecan producers to start scouting their trees for infestation beginning Monday, May 24. The Noble Foundation is headquartered in Ardmore, Okla. Landgraf can be contacted by calling the Foundation at (580) 223-5810.

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(FYI — The Noble Foundation is a privately funded, nonprofit organization headquartered in Ardmore, Okla. The Foundation conducts agricultural and plant biology research; provides grants to numerous other charitable and educational organizations; and assists farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative programs.)