Honeydew
Is your truck really sticky, having trouble seeing out your windshield? If so you probably park in the shade of a pecan tree. This time of year “Honeydew” from Pecan trees can be quite a nuisance. Honeydew is the result of our recent aphid flare-up. These small, softbodied insects have piercing sucking mouthparts and suck sap from pecan leaves. As they feed they excrete excess sugars, which collect on leaves, this is where we get honeydew.
Typically, aphid’s numbers decline naturally without causing measurable damage to pecan trees foliage or yield. However, severe infestations can produce large amounts of honeydew, which in turn serves as a food source for sooty mold. Under the right conditions the shading effect of sooty mold can reduce the photosynthesis of the tree; this does have the potential to lower yields. Due to drought stress most yard trees will not have a crop this year and do not merit treatment.
Aphids have a short life cycle, but they have a very high reproductive capacity. Under the right conditions infestations will increase very rapidly. Insecticides do not consistently control yellow aphids. Care should be taken when applying insecticides to avoid eliminating the aphid’s natural predators: lady bugs, lacewings, spiders and other insects. Some pecan varieties such as Cheyenne may require treatment, while others like Pawnee typically need no protection.
For homeowner’s aphid control options are limited but using a soil drench of imidacloprid is still a good option. A product like Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Concentrate will be your best option, but as the product is a systemic, you really need to apply it in the spring or early summer to control aphids in the fall. We do have an excellent pecan and fruit tree spray guide available for homeowners at the office.
Tri-County Cattle Gathering
We will be holding our annual Tri-County Cattle Gathering on Friday, Oct. 7 at M&P Brangus Ranch near Carleton.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the program will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Topics this year include soil needs for pasture and range drought recovery, new fence constructionmethods, and cost, controlling brush encroachment on fences and fields, and finally agriculture and beef cattle economic outlook. We have an excellent group of speakers including Dr. Tony Provin, State Soil Chemist, Harold Shipman, Territory Manager for Stay-Tuff, Colton Spencer Range Specialist for Corteva and Dr. Jason Johnson Agriculture Economist Texas A&M. We will be offering 1 IPM CEU. Local sponsors will be covering the cost of the program and meal. Please RSVP to the Comanche County Agents office: 325--
356-2539.