Q: The last couple of years, the fruit on my pom tree gets brown spots, and it is rotten inside. Any ideas?
A: Yes, it’s likely that insects are feeding on your pomegranate fruit and the feeding allows entry for a fungus that subsequently rots the fruit. The most likely suspect is the leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus species). There are three species in the Southwest. These insects are common in our area and may be found feeding on a variety of plants including citrus, pecans and pomegranates. As adults, these insects are difficult to manage because they can fly, they can sense predators and they are quick to run around the other side of the plant or fly away. The best time to remove them is when they are in the egg stage, laid in a strand — end to end on the underside of leaves. There are insecticides available and effective against newly hatched nymphs. Either of these requires monitoring your pomegranate tree on at least a weekly basis with the goal of detecting them before they mature to the adult stage. If you only have one tree and you are looking closely for them anyway, you might be able to just remove them by hand or sweep them into a bucket of soapy water.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions and photos may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
