By Ayanava Majumdar When summer temperatures are soaring and you are hot and sweaty, all caterpillars may look the same. But look carefully inside the crop canopy, especially in fruit-bearing vegetables. Depending on your location, the sequence of insect pests could be different, so have a conversation with your Extension agent about what they are seeing. WHAT TO WATCH FOR …
Resistance Concerns in Insecticide Management of DBM
By Clint Thompson Brassica growers rely almost entirely on insecticides to manage diamondback moth (DBM) infestations. However, the moths have shown the ability to develop resistance to a broad range of insecticides, says Hugh Smith, an associate professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. …
Insect Activity Increasing Across Alabama
Insect activity has increased across Alabama, according to Alabama Extension. Traps record pest populations across the state over a two-week period. Specialty crop producers should be wary of beet armyworms and southern armyworms. Beet armyworms have increased 32% compared to a 75% increase for fall armyworms. According to the pest monitoring report, there were 99 beet armyworms on July 1, …
Hot and Dry Weather: Spider Mites Thriving
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather conditions in the Southeast this summer are ideal for spider mites. Unfortunately, they have appeared in multiple crops, according to University of Georgia (UGA) Extension specialists. “The dry weather and heat is bad for (San Jose) scale but it is fantastic for mites. I’ve seen more mites in peaches than I probably have …
UGA Fruit Pathologist Inducted Into IPM Hall of Fame
By Emily Cabrera The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center (Southern IPM Center) has inducted University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit pathologist Phil Brannen into the Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to commercial fruit growers throughout the southern U.S. over the past 30 years. Each year, the Southern IPM Center recognizes an industry member for extraordinary …
NCDA&CS Finds Spotted Lanternfly in Forsyth County
RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed the first established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in the state. Initial surveys indicate the known distribution of the pest is within a 5-mile radius in Forsyth County near Interstate 40 in Kernersville, extending to the Guilford County line. Survey efforts are ongoing. “We have …
Whiteflies Non-Existent So Far This Season
By Clint Thompson Insect pests normally thrive in hot and dry weather conditions. But whiteflies have yet to flourish this year, though conditions are ripe for infestations to take off, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “Surprisingly, we have not had whiteflies yet. The hot and dry weather is perfect for them, but apparently, we …
Mid-Season Pest Activity in Alabama
Insect infestations vary among pests throughout Alabama, according to pest activity from monitoring traps by Alabama Extension. As of June 18, the mid-season pest activity lists beet armyworm moth numbers as doubling fall armyworms (FAW), which is normal in the state. Last year was abnormal with very high FAW activity. Beet armyworms are a threat to beans, beets, cabbage, corn, …
Management Update for Spotted-Wing Drosophila
By Clint Thompson Even in a year when hot and dry weather conditions prevailed across the Southeast region, spotted-wing drosophila was still a problem for blueberry producers. Ash Sial, University of Georgia entomologist, discusses the challenging characteristics of the spotted-wing drosophila and what growers should remember for future seasons. “This is the unique thing about this pest is that dry …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It is hot and very, very dry in the Lowcountry. We desperately need some rain on the coast. Many irrigation ponds are at very low levels and may only have a …