Pecan Nutcasebearer Pecan Nut Casebearer Biology Link OK State

Get pheromone traps out by mid-April and anticipate first moth catch in late April early May. Use 5 traps for every 50 Acres of pecan orchard. Follow up the trapping with egg and damage counts on 200 nut clusters per orchards with one variety or 200 nut clusters per variety. There 3-4 generations per year with two distinct moth flight period from late April to late May and mid June through July. The first moth flight produces larvae that cause the most significant the damage to the crop. Nutlets are small and larvae require more than one nut to complete their development. The second flight period produces larvae that feed on the nuts and losses are lower since larvae eat fewer nuts to complete their development. Larval feeding later in the season feeding on the shucks near the base of the nut and do not cause nut losses.

Pecan nut casebearer information on 2008 emergence patterns is on the main page.

In 2001 first PNC adults were trapped in Tift Co. on April 25, 2001. Once moths are caught. Need to start counting eggs and anticipate first nut entry in 12 - 16 days.

In 2002, PNC trap catch is really picking up April 26- May 2 - at Tift and Irwin Co. Once moth catch picks up start looking for minor damage the next week and major damage in 2 weeks.

In 2002 from May 3 to May 9 in Tift and Irwin Co., trap catches were high. Trap catch was over 60 moths per trap.

In 2002 from May 10 to May 15, trap catch still significant but lower than last week

In 2003, moth trap catch in pheromone traps begin on April 22, 2002 in Tift Co. Moth catch peaked and decline over the two weeks following the first flight. First nut entry began on May 10 in Tift and Irwin Co. First insecticide sprays were applied on May 10, 2002. In 2003, pecan nutcasebearer pheromone traps began catching moths in Tift and Irwin Co. on April 26 and moth catch increased to over 25 moths per trap per two days over the first week in May. Duting the second week of May traps catch at Tifton exceeded 100 moths per trap per two days. Egg counts at Tift Co. were very low at 1 egg/200 clusters even though trap catch is high. However, damage was 11-17 % in June. Scout 400-500 nut clusters per infestation for egg laying may increase the chances of finding eggs before damage occurs. In 2004, in Tift Co. on 'Desirable', pecan ntucasebearer pheromone trap catch was a few days later than 2003 with peak flight on May 8.