Mite pressure is increasing in various fields across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Two-spotted spider mites have increased significantly on late-season tomatoes, eggplant and okra around Homestead, Florida. They are also impacting ornamental nursery and tropical fruit trees. Broad mites are also observed in corn, tomato, squash and okra. Broad mites have also been persistent …
Pepper Weevil Impact in Florida
High populations of pepper weevil are being reported in various fields across South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations are high in all locations across the Southwest Florida region. Some younger plantings may not be harvested at all due to most fruit being infested. Adult pepper weevils are feeding on buds and flowers. The same …
Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring Report
Alabama Extension cautions vegetable producers about a sudden spike in activity of southern armyworm moths compared to fall or beet armyworms. According to the Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring data generated from April 14 to April 29, there were 40 southern armyworm moths at five locations across the state, compared to five farm armyworms and four beet armyworms. Southern armyworm caterpillars …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Diamondback Moth Update
Diamondback moth populations remain at low levels across the Southwest Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Moderate levels are being observed in cabbage and other brassicas around the Everglades Agricultural Area. Insecticides are being reported as effective. Moth pressure remains moderate to high in cabbage along the East Coast. Populations were reported between 2 and …
Thrips Pressure Increasing in Florida
Thrips pressure is increasing in Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The tiny insects have increased quickly to high levels in central Florida. Juveniles and adults are being observed on blooms and apical meristems of pepper. Damage is low but should increase throughout the season. Thrips are also being reported in cucumbers. Thrips pressure levels range …
Insect Populations Increasing Amid Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hot temperatures and little rainfall could be a recipe for increased insect pressure in Georgia. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, discusses what vegetable growers should be scouting for as the calendar turns to May. “Squash bugs are picking up, because they’re coming out of overwintering. We’re seeing squash bugs and squash bug …
Whitefly Pressure Increasing in Florida
Whitefly pressure is intensifying in regions across south Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations have increased significantly in central Florida, reaching moderate to elevated levels in older plants of squash and cucumber. High levels of nymphs and eggs are also being observed, which indicates the potential for a population boom. Moderate levels are also reported …
How to Prevent Fruit-Boring Squash Insects
By Ayanava Majumdar, Olivia Fuller, David Lawrence and Jacob Kelley Squash and related cucurbits are favorite summer vegetables in farms across the Southeast. Though cucurbits grow fast under the right conditions, numerous insect pests feeding at various crop stages can make cucurbits a messy ordeal! In Alabama, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers and squash bugs arrive routinely during the young …
Storms May Aid in Transportation of Insect Pests
By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama has received its share of rainfall this spring. But with inclement weather, especially high winds, comes the potential for certain insect pests to be moved from field to field, says Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University. “If there’s any moth flights that have already begun, these storms will …
Overuse of Specific Pesticides Reason for Chilli Thrips Problem in Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Overuse of specific pesticides led to chilli thrips being more of a problem for Florida strawberry producers this season. Sriyanka Lahiri, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said pesticides should be used in rotation. “You have four products. All of …