By Clint Thompson Two insect pests of specialty crops in the Southeast were knocked back but not eliminated by the Christmas freeze event. Stormy Sparks, (UGA) Extension vegetable specialist, confirmed that pepper weevils and whiteflies are still a problem ahead of spring plantings despite multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures. “In whiteflies we killed a lot of adults. We probably did …
Mites Levels Remain Low Across South Florida
Mites levels are still low in some fields across southern Florida, though some species are increasing in numbers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Broad mites are increasing in Southwest Florida but still remain at low population levels Spider mites were reported to be low in multiple crops. Spider mite populations are growing in younger corn in …
Looming Sub-Freezing Should Help Growers in Managing Whitefly Populations
By Clint Thompson The upcoming below-freezing temperatures should help South Georgia specialty crop producers trying to manage the growing whitefly population. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, discusses why warmer weather is not good for farmers with vegetables vulnerable to whitefly damage. “There’s still some whiteflies around, not near the populations …
Whitefly Numbers Increasing Across South Florida
Vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Population numbers have reached high levels in some locations in the southwestern part of the state, though levels are low in other areas. Whiteflies are present in squash, cucumbers and watermelons in Homestead, …
FFVA Submits Letter to EPA Regarding Methomyl
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for the insecticide methomyl. Vegetable and blueberry producers rely on the low-coast, broad-spectrum, long-lasting insect management benefits that the insecticide provides. The FFVA emphasized in the letter that any move to limit …
Thrips Levels Mostly Low in Florida
Thrips populations remain at low levels across most of southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Thrips in Southwest Florida are unanimously at low populations. Reports include thrips in peppers, Asian bean thrips and flower thrips. They are mostly at low levels on the east coast, but there was one report of a moderate infestation on …
Turnaround Times for N.C. Nematode Testing Expected to be Long
RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (NCDA&CS) Nematode Assay Lab is warning growers to expect turnaround times of 15 weeks or longer for routine (predictive) nematode samples submitted this year. Samples submitted for diagnostic testing, including molecular diagnosis of guava root-knot nematode species, will be given priority. Those results should be available in around …
Whitefly Populations Increasing Across South Florida
Florida’s vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly infestation numbers are increasing across the southern part of the state, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Reports indicate that whiteflies in southwest Florida re moderate and increasing on tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, cucumber and watermelon. High numbers are reported to have been moving into young fields from mature …
Thrips Pressure Low in Most Florida Crops
Thrips pressure is varying across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low thrips pressure is observed in peppers in central Florida. Pressure is also low in pepper and other vegetables in southwest Florida. Scouted thrips are presumed to be Florida flower thrips, as damage is not apparent. Thrips are at low levels in eggplants in Homestead, Florida, …
Thrips Pressure Varies Across Florida
Thrips Pressure Varies Across Central, South Florida Thrips pressure is varying across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low thrips pressure is observed in peppers in central Florida. Pressure is also low in pepper and other vegetables in southwest Florida. Scouted thrips are presumed to be Florida flower thrips, as damage is not apparent. Thrips are …