The PNC Forecast System at http://pncforecast.tamu.edu provides information about pecan nut casebearer activity to assist pecan tree owners with management decisions. The system allows the user to predict activity of first generation pecan nut casebearer in his/her orchard using data from pheromone traps operated in that orchard and local temperatures. The System generates predicted dates when first generation eggs are expected to be found in the orchard and the date when PNC larvae first begin to feed on pecan nutlets.

The PNC Forecast System also provides information on pecan nut casebearer egg-laying activity and nut entry from selected sites across Texas and Oklahoma. These forecasts are based upon data collected by county Extension agents and entomologists with Texas AgriLife Extension and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners and by volunteer pecan growers working with Extension.

First generation larvae usually have the potential to cause the greatest economic loss. For this reason, control is directed primarily at this spring generation. Often a single carefully timed insecticide application provides adequate control for first-generation casebearers. Once inside nuts, larvae are protected from insecticides.

To determine whether treatment is needed and when to apply insecticide, examine nuts carefully in spring for casebearer eggs. Most casebearer eggs are found at the tip of the nutlet, either on the top (stigma) or hidden just under the tiny leaves (sepals) at the tip of the nutlet. A good hand lens is necessary to identify casebearer eggs and determine their development (hatched, white or pink). Also, look for bud feeding just below the nut cluster to detect the presence of newly hatched larvae.

Apply insecticides within two to three days after the first eggs hatch. At this time, the first larvae begin entering nuts. Infested clusters can be flagged to monitor egg hatch.

Delaying treatment until the first nut entry occurs maximizes the insecticide’s residual activity. However, consider the time required to treat the orchard and possible weather delays so that insecticide is applied before significant nut entry occurs. A second insecticide application may be required if unhatched eggs are found after the residual period of the insecticide has passed.

The pecan nut casebearer completes two to four generations each year. Adults of the overwintering generation emerge in May and lay eggs on pecan nutlets soon after pollination. These eggs result in first generation larvae which feed on nutlets and generally cause the most damage.

Second generation larvae attack the nuts in mid-summer about six weeks after nut entry by first generation larvae. Third generation eggs are deposited on nuts from late July to early September. These larvae feed only in the shucks if the pecan shells have hardened.

Many third and, if present, fourth generation larvae do not feed, but crawl to the base of a dormant bud where they construct a tough, silken cocoon (hibernaculum) in which to spend the winter. In the spring, these immature larvae leave the cocoon and feed by tunneling into shoots. Full-grown larvae pupate in shoot tunnels or in bark crevices. Moths from these overwintering larvae lay first generation eggs on nutlets.

Insecticide sprays should be applied with caution in backyard and urban areas because of the great potential for spray drift onto nearby gardens, pets and living areas. Only products containing carbaryl, malathion, or chlorpyrifos which are labeled and packaged for homeowner use should be used for control in urban areas.

Many kinds of insects and spiders that occur naturally in pecan trees feed on the pecan nut casebearer. Some of the most important natural enemies are tiny parasitic wasps that sting and kill the larval stage. Over 25 different species of wasps are known to attack casebearer larvae and no doubt help reduce casebearer populations.

Very tiny parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma lay their eggs inside the casebearer egg. The wasp egg hatches and the Trichogramma completes its entire development inside the casebearer egg, turning the egg black. Trichogramma wasps occur naturally but little is known about their importance in controlling pecan pests. Trichogrammma wasps can be purchased for release in orchards but studies to date indicate that currently available species and methods of release do not provide effective control of casebearer.

Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. Humans can also become infected with the disease when handling affected animals, but this is a rare event. In the past decade, the Southwestern and Western United States have experienced a number of vesicular stomatitis outbreaks. Outbreaks usually occur during the warmer months, often along waterways. In some years, only a few premises in a single State have been affected. However, in other years, multiple States and many premises have been involved.

Premises containing affected animals are quarantined until 21 days after the lesions in the last affected animals have healed. As a result, quarantine periods can be lengthy.

In affected livestock, the incubation period for vesicular stomatitis ranges from 2 to 8 days. Often, excessive salivation is the first sign of the disease. Close examination of the mouth initially reveals blanched and raised vesicles or blister-like lesions on the inner surfaces of the lips, gums, tongue, and/or dental pad. In addition, these blister-like lesions can form on the lips, nostrils, coronary band, prepuce, vulva, and teats. The blisters swell and break, which causes oral pain and discomfort and reluctance to eat or drink. Lameness and severe weight loss may follow. Body temperature may rise immediately before or at the same time lesions first appear.

Vigilance is recommended, especially if you come in contact with horses from the infected area.

A farm animal includes: horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, hogs, chicken, and ratite (ostrich, rhea, and emu).

Also, more activities are now covered under the Act. Covered activities now include: a farm animal show, fair, competition, performance, rodeo event, or parade; training or teaching activities involving farm animals; boarding a farm animal; riding, inspecting, evaluating, handling, loading or unloading a farm animal; informal farm animal activities, such as ride, trip or hunt; placing or replacing horse shoes on horses; examining or administering medical treatment to a farm animal.

This Texas section provides that any person, including an equine activity sponsor, equine professional, livestock show participant, or livestock show sponsor, is not liable for property damage or damages arising from the personal injury or death of a participant in an equine activity or livestock show if the property damage, injury, or death results from the dangers or conditions that are an inherent risk of an equine activity or the showing of an animal on a competitive basis in a livestock show.

Liability is not limited by this statute where the equine professional knowingly provided faulty tack or equipment, failed to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the equine activity, owns or otherwise is in lawful possession of the land or facilities upon which the participant sustained injuries because of a known, dangerous latent condition, or if he or she commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant or intentionally injures the participant. The statute also requires the visible displaying of “clearly readable” warning signs that alert participants to the limitation of liability by law.

A farm animal professional shall post and maintain a sign that contains the warning contained in Subsection (c) if the professional manages or controls a stable, corral, or arena where the professional conducts a farm animal activity. The professional must post the sign in a clearly visible location on or near the stable, corral, or arena.

Also a farm animal professional shall include the warning contained in Subsection (c) in every written contract that the professional enters into with a participant for professional services, instruction, or the rental of equipment or tack or a farm animal. The warning must be included without regard to whether the contract involves farm animal activities on or off the location or site of the business of the farm animal professional. The warning must be clearly readable.

The warning posted by a farm animal professional under this section must be as follows:

WARNING

UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), A FARM ANIMAL PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES.

As Extension committees and staff are can be a livestock show sponsor they shall post and maintain a sign that contains the warning prescribed by Subsection (f) if the livestock show sponsor manages or controls a stable, barn, corral, or arena at which the livestock show sponsor conducts a livestock show. The livestock show sponsor must post the sign in a clearly visible location near the stable, barn, corral, or arena.

The livestock show sponsor shall include the warning prescribed by Subsection (f) in every written contract that the sponsor enters into with a livestock show participant. The warning must be clearly readable.

The warning posted by a livestock show sponsor under this section must be as follows:

WARNING

UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), A LIVESTOCK SHOW SPONSOR IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN A LIVESTOCK SHOW RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF LIVESTOCK SHOW ACTIVITIES.