Pest identification
What's eating my pecan 'cheyenne'?
Pecan weevil (Curculio caryae)
Signs: Larvae eat the kernel, leaving a hollow shell; circular oviposition punctures on the husk; premature drop of infested nuts
Control: Circle-trap monitoring from mid-August; carbaryl or permethrin trunk/limb sprays when adults are found; remove and destroy fallen nuts within a week
Pecan nut casebearer (Acrobasis nuxvorella)
Signs: Entry hole at stem end of nut; damaged kernel; dead nutlets clinging in clusters (first generation)
Control: Pheromone trap + degree-day model to time spinosad or Bt application at egg hatch; two spray timing windows per generation
Yellow pecan aphid (Monelliopsis pecanis)
Signs: Honeydew drip; sooty mould on foliage and nuts; leaf yellowing; weakened tree heading into winter
Control: Preserve natural enemies (lacewings, parasitic wasps); spot-treat with insecticidal soap; avoid pyrethroids that disrupt beneficials
Keep pecan 'cheyenne' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pecan 'Cheyenne' pests — FAQ
What is eating my pecan 'cheyenne'?
Pecan 'Cheyenne' is scab-susceptible and early-ripening, making it attractive to pecan weevil and nut casebearer before harvest is complete. Aphids and pecan phylloxera are common secondary pests. Crows flock to the early-ripening crop. Weevil management is critical for any 'Cheyenne' planting.
How do I get rid of pecan weevil (curculio caryae) on pecan 'cheyenne'?
Larvae eat the kernel, leaving a hollow shell; circular oviposition punctures on the husk; premature drop of infested nuts Circle-trap monitoring from mid-August; carbaryl or permethrin trunk/limb sprays when adults are found; remove and destroy fallen nuts within a week
How do I get rid of pecan nut casebearer (acrobasis nuxvorella) on pecan 'cheyenne'?
Entry hole at stem end of nut; damaged kernel; dead nutlets clinging in clusters (first generation) Pheromone trap + degree-day model to time spinosad or Bt application at egg hatch; two spray timing windows per generation
How do I get rid of yellow pecan aphid (monelliopsis pecanis) on pecan 'cheyenne'?
Honeydew drip; sooty mould on foliage and nuts; leaf yellowing; weakened tree heading into winter Preserve natural enemies (lacewings, parasitic wasps); spot-treat with insecticidal soap; avoid pyrethroids that disrupt beneficials