Fall armyworm infestations continue to be rampant across Alabama. According to the most recent Alabama Extension Pest Monitoring Report, there were 585 moth numbers collected in 19 different trap locations. That is way more than the 114 recorded this time last year. Fall armyworms are dark with a Y-shaped mark on their head and four spots at the tail end. …
Pepper Weevil Pointers
By Gene McAvoy The pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) is a key pest of all pepper varieties grown in Florida. Populations build throughout the season and often reach unmanageable numbers in South Florida in the late spring (early fall in North Florida), resulting in crop loss. In South Florida, it is not unusual for growers to terminate older plantings where weevils …
Monitoring Update: Insect Pressure Remains High Across Alabama
Insect pressure remains high across Alabama. According to the Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring Update, released Friday, July 23, fall armyworms, southern armyworms, corn earworms and squash vine borers are all reporting higher numbers than compared to this time last year. Alabama Extension recorded the moth numbers in 19 locations across Alabama. There were 585 fall armyworms, compared to 114 in …
Whitefly Time: Low Numbers Reported in Georgia
By Clint Thompson It is about that time of the summer that one insect becomes more noticeable for certain vegetable farmers and cotton producers. Right on cue, low whitefly infestations have been observed, explains University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks. “Phillip (Roberts) told me (the other day) that he had one person report some yesterday, but really, …
San Jose Scale: Manage Peach Pest Now
By Clint Thompson A persistent pest of peaches is expected to once again be a nuisance. This summer provides a couple of ideal targeting periods for growers to manage San Jose Scale. Producers should try to target the San Jose Scale crawlers now and then again in late July to early August. They are the most vulnerable during these time …
Insect Pressure Increasing Across Alabama
Insect pest pressure is up across Alabama, according to the latest Alabama Insect Pest Monitoring Update on June 19. The latest numbers show that fall armyworms, southern armyworms, corn earworms and squash vine borers are up compared to this time last year. In 19 locations across Alabama, here are the moth numbers compared to last year: Species 2021 moth …
Sweet Corn Alert: Alabama Growers Be Wary of Pests
By Clint Thompson Katelyn Kesheimer’s message to Alabama’s sweet corn producers is simple: “At this point, if your plants are thinking about silking, be prepared to spray.” The Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist advises producers to be mindful of corn earworms and fall armyworms. Both need to be taken care of before infestations get out of control. “Corn …
Insect Impact: Whiteflies, Wireworms, Rindworms Impacting Florida Watermelons
Insects are active in North Florida watermelon fields. According to his weekly email, Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said rindworms remain a problem. Growers need to maintain a good preventative program up until the last week of harvest. There have also been various reports of whitefly populations. This is especially concerning because they vector …
Mite-y Problem: Spider Mites a Concern During Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather across the Southeast make for ideal conditions for spider mites in peach orchards. Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, discusses in the UGA Peach Blog what symptoms producers need to watch out for. “At least in peaches, keeping an eye out for bronzing of the leaves. That’s …
Non-Factor: Whitefly Numbers Low So Far This Season
By Clint Thompson One pest that can have a devastating effect on vegetable crops in the Southeast has been a non-factor so far this production season. But that doesn’t mean growers should let their guard down against whiteflies. “We probably have the lowest populations we’ve had in several years coming out of winter vegetables, which is fantastic,” says Stormy Sparks, …