Plum Curculio Trap and Lure

Description

Plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) is a type of beetle that is known to cause significant damage to fruit crops, particularly plums, peaches, and other stone fruits. The plum curculio is native to North America and is considered a major pest of orchards in Canada.

The adult beetle is approximately 1/4 inch long and has a distinctive, curved snout. It lays its eggs on developing fruit, and the larvae that hatch from these eggs feed on the fruit, causing significant damage. The feeding activity of the larvae can result in deformities, scarring, and premature drop of the fruit.

Plum curculio infestations can be controlled through a combination of cultural practices, such as orchard sanitation and the use of pheromone traps. Early detection and prompt treatment are important for minimizing damage to fruit crops.

Traps can be an effective way to monitor plum curculios populations in fruit orchards.  Our trapping system consists of black pyramid traps and plum curculio lure (benzaldehyde lure).  Pyramid traps were developed by Lewis W. Tedders for trapping pecan weevils.  The shape of this trap imitates the shape of a tree trunk.

Traps are a good indicator of likely plum curculio pressure in the area, and should be placed on the borders of orchards where observed damage has been seen. Often these locations have woods, unsprayed orchards, feral trees or other sources of overwintering plum curculio populations.