We are going to dedicate this section to the main pests and diseases of the almond tree . As we usually do, we make a brief explanation of the disorders that occur in the tree, we add a characteristic photo of each pest or disease, and we recommend active ingredients for their treatment. If you think your almond tree has a problem, this is your entry.

ALMOND TREE PESTS

In summary, these are the main pests that we are going to find. Next, we will explain how to identify and treat them.

• Sprout miner
• Almond aphid
• Red spider and yellow spider
• Almond tree caterpillar
• Almond borer

Let’s discuss the most important pests of the almond tree :

 Leafminer outbreaks (lineatella Anarsia):  the leafminer outbreaks affecting the quality of the fruit produced falls early, because leafminer feeds almond. In addition, the young shoots are attacked, drying in a particular way, the rest of the branch being green. The latter is a clear way to identify this pest in the almond tree.

ALMOND APHID

This aphid begins its activity in the almond tree in spring, with the arrival of heat. The aphid bites and absorbs cellular material producing honeydew that later attracts fungal diseases such as bold, ocher spot, screening, etc.

RED AND YELLOW ALMOND SPIDER (TETRANYCHID MITES)

Among the mites that attack almond trees there are two types, red spider ( Panonychus ulmi  Koch) and yellow spider ( Tetranychus urticae  Koch). With a persistent attack on the crop, cobwebs form on the leaves, branches and fruits. In addition, spiders feed on plant material, causing defoliation and weakening of the plant.

ALMOND TREE CATERPILLAR (AGLAOPE INFAUSTA)

The caterpillar of the almond tree is a small dark-colored moth, which, being in the larva stage, ingests the leaves, except for the nerves. In a pronounced attack, it decompensates the growth of the tree and ages it.

ALMOND BORERS (ESCOLYTUS AMIDALI, ESCOLYTUS MALI)

This pest only affects the almond tree when it is weakened. This weakening can be due to the conditions of the crop (drought, excess of previous production, poor soils, etc.).

The treatment against the almond borer suggests improving the cultivation conditions (irrigation, soil improvement, fertilization, pruning, etc.).

ALMOND TREE DISEASES

In summary, these are the main diseases that we are going to find in almond cultivation:

• Almond screening
• Almond dent
• Almond rust
• Monilia del almendro
• Ocher stain

Let’s discuss the most important almond diseases :

SCREENING THE ALMOND TREE ( CLASTEROSPERIUM CARPOPHILUM, CORYNEUM BEYERINCKII)

This disease, commonly called shotgun, is produced by an ascomycete fungus that produces pink spots. These spots end up drying and falling, causing characteristic holes on the leaves. On the shoots are observed brown spots that over time form cankers that ooze gum. The fruits are affected avoiding their commercialization.

ALMOND DENT ( TAPHRINA DEFORMANS )

This disease caused by an ascomycete fungus, which also receives the particular name of almond leprosy, is frequent in this crop and also in the peach tree  , attacking leaves and young shoots. The leaves are coated with a white powder and the shoots become discolored, swollen and twisted.

ALMOND RUST ( TRANZSCHELIA PRUNI-SPINOSAE)

This disease of the almond tree appears in humid environments or after the rainy season, with mild temperatures in summer. Reddish-yellow spots appear on the upper surface of the leaf, redder on the underside than on the upper surface.

MONILIA OF THE ALMOND TREE (MONILIA LAXA)

It is one of the most important almond diseases. The monilia causes a great problem in the cultivation of the almond tree and considerable economic damages for the farmer. Concentric rings appear on the fruits that dry up and acquire a mummified appearance. The fungicides or products against the monilia in the almond tree should be applied in the first onset of the disease.

OCHER  SPOT (POLYSTIGMA OCHRACEUMM SACC )

This disease only affects the leaf, so its importance in the crop is not decisive. This rots and dries out due to the action of the fungus, but not completely. In this way, its photosynthetic capacity is reduced and the tree weakens.