Common Diseases, Insects and Weeds
Overview of agricultural pest management
The Upper Grand Valley Pest Control District (UGVPCD) works to protect commercial fruit growers, agricultural producers, and residential property owners in Mesa County from damaging insect pests, plant diseases, and invasive weeds.
Proper identification and timely management are essential to prevent crop loss, preserve orchard health, and comply with state agricultural regulations under the Colorado Pest Control Act.
Fruit Pest Guide
Insect infestations threaten commercial fruit crops across the Grand Valley. The guide offers provides a resource for the primary insect pests monitored within the district. Visit our Fruit Pest Guide webpage.
Common orchard diseases
Plant diseases can weaken fruit trees, reduce annual crop yields, and compromise tree longevity.
Cytospora Canker in tree fruit crops from Colorado State University Extension
Insect pests
Colorado State University
Colorado State University Extensions
- Codling moth (Laspeyresia Pomonella)
- Greater Peach Tree Borer (Synanthedon Exitiosa)
- Japanese Beetle (Popillia Japonica)
- Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Utah State University Extension
Priority noxious weeds
Colorado Department of Agriculture
- Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
- Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)
- Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica)
- Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)
- Dyres woad (Isatis tinctoria)
- Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officianle)
- Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)
- Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
- Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Russian knapweed (Rhaponticum repens)
- Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium)
- Spotted knapweed (Centaura stoebe)
- Whitetop (Lepidium draba)
- Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)
- Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
For full species profiles and treatment recommendations, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Program.