When Beetles Go Rogue - The Curious Case of Pear-Feeding Borers

Send us a text

Have you ever come across a pest in pears that defies all expectations? In August 2023, a seasoned PCA with more than five decades in the orchards encountered a remarkable discovery: a flatheaded borer—typically a menace to wood—now turning its attention to pear fruit. This unprecedented find could signal a new era in pest behaviors and fruit crop challenges. 

The implications are still unfolding, and the full story is just beginning. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cindy Kron, UC Cooperative Extension IPM Advisor for Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties, unpacks what we know so far and what the future may hold. 

For more, pair this podcast with Dr. Kron’s insightful article previously featured in the June issue of The Adviser magazine.