At a Glance
- Pear psylla is a major pest in BC pear orchards due to rapid pesticide resistance and year‑round pressure.
- Damage occurs from feeding (honeydew & sooty mold) and as a vector of pear decline disease.
- Honeydew contamination leads to fruit russetting, a downgraded packout, and significant economic loss.
- Psylla overwinter within the orchard - making dormant‑season management essential for control.
- Video available below for additional field‑based insights.
Why Is Pear Psylla a Problem?
Pear psylla is a common pest in North American pear orchards and remains an annual challenge in the Okanagan Valley. Damage results from feeding (nymph honeydew leads to black sooty mold and russetting on fruit) and from pear decline disease, for which pear psylla is a vector. Because psylla damage to fruit results in yield and quality losses, control should be a priority for local pear growers.
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Where Does Pear Psylla Come From?
Pear psylla overwinter in the orchard. Effective control measures should target populations during the dormant season, before activity increases in the early spring.
Video: Pear Psylla
Watch the BC DAS Pear Psylla video on YouTube to connect field knowledge with the online DAS program: