Culinary Camp Week 7: July 20-24
Integrative Pest Management Special Project
Project Description:
To identify and document any pests found within the peach borer pheromones traps. These
traps were set in place 4 weeks ago by a previous set of interns. Pheromones traps can be an
effective method to control pests in an organic garden. The traps are targeting the peach tree
borer moth. The peach tree borer tunnel into the inner layer of bark on the tree. The damage
can be so extensive that eventually the bark is completely removed from the tree. The exposed
tree is more vulnerable to other pests and diseases.
Identification Methods:
● Open the trap flaps to be able to photograph the pests within the trap
● Photograph each trap
● Utilize Missouri pest identification resources to verify species of pest on the trap
Peachtree Borer (Synanthedon exitiosa)
Image from gardeners.com
Findings:
● Peach borer moths are identified on the traps below. There are 9 on the first and 4 on
the second. This is an increase from the initial week which did not identify any peach
borers on the traps.
Recommendations:
● Week 7 interns should continue to monitor traps and identify pests. Traps last 4-6
weeks, they should be taken down after week 7.
● Integrative Pest Management:
○ use a technique called “worming” to mechanically remove the borers. This is
done by digging the soil out around the base of the tree and using a pocket knife
or other sharp object to dig the larvae out
○ Keep the trees healthy with proper irrigation
○ Since wounds on the tree trunk can attract borers, it’s important to make sure the
trunk is healthy and free of holes
Sources:
Peachtree Borer. Retrieved from MissouriBotanicalGarden.org on July 22, 2015.
Borers in Peach Trees. Retrieved from http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/pdf/2032.pdf on
July 22, 2015.