Various thrips species are causing problems for South Florida vegetable producers. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, strawberry farmers have dealt with chili thrips all season in the Manatee Ruskin area. They are also showing up in pepper. In the Miami-Dade County area, melon thrips are increasing in populations in various crops. Along the east coast, western …
Whitefly Infestations: Pest Numbers Increasing in South Florida
Whitefly infestations continue to increase in vegetable fields in Southwest Florida. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, tomato fields have been greatly impacted. Adult whiteflies are swarming young cucurbit plants, especially those transplants that have just been planted in the ground and those direct seeded crops. Growers and scouts report that whitefly pressure is increasing in some …
Record Levels: Asian Bean Thrips Major Problem for Some South Florida Producers
South Florida farms had record levels of Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations last week. Others experienced a reduction in thrips counts, however. According to the University of Florida/IFAS, farms in southeastern Hendry County reported infestations as low as 0.2 ABT per bud and between 0.1 and 0.2 ABT per bloom (at full bloom) but were as high as 1.9 ABT …
Nematodes: Hidden Enemies of Asian Vegetable Growers in Florida
By Mengyi Gu, Hung Xuan Bui and Johan Desaeger If you happen to travel around Wimauma, Florida, you will see many plastic tunnels and may wonder what they are. Asian farmers (mostly Vietnamese) are using those plastic tunnels to grow a wide variety of specialty Asian vegetable crops. There is a high demand for these vegetables from northern cities such …
Increasing Infestations: Asian Bean Thrips Remain a Problem for Florida Farmers
Asian bean thrips (ABT) continue to be problematic for vegetable producers in South Florida. According to the University of Florida/IFAS, populations are increasing consistently across the region. Reports from the Homestead region indicate Asian bean thrips are the predominate species, though have decreased from 100% ABT to 70% ABT and 30% F. palmi. Other thrips species are increasing north of …
The Challenges of Controlling Silk Flies in Florida Sweet Corn
By Julien Beuzelin Corn silk flies are the most damaging insects of sweet corn in southern Florida. Adults of three species(Euxesta stigmatias, Euxesta eluta and Chaetopsis massyla) are commonly observed in commercial fields where they lay eggs on sweet corn silks. Maggots feed on silks and kernels before leaving the ear and falling onto the soil surface, under which they …
Asian Bean Thrips: Insect Infestations Increasing in South Florida
South Florida continues to be a hot spot for Asian bean thrips (ABT). According to UF/IFAS, the insect that feeds on wild cowpea is increasing across the region. Charlotte County is the latest county in which the ABT has been identified. Populations have also been observed in West Palm Beach. Other species of thrips have increased as well. Multiple farms …
Tools to Solve Tomato Pathogen Problems
By Abolfazl Hajihassani Tomato is the most economically important vegetable crop in the United States and has a history of heavy dependence on pesticides. PATHOGEN PAIR Root-knot nematodes and southern blight disease are among the most damaging pathogens of tomato. Pre-plant soil fumigation is often, but not always, effective at minimizing yield losses due to soilborne nematode and fungal pathogens. …
2021 IPM Guides: Information Critical to Production Success
Posted by Victoria Dee AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Whether you’re an amateur gardener or seasoned agriculturalist, there is no denying that pests can sometimes sneak in and ruin a crop. These pests may appear in the form of insects, weeds or plant diseases — and all can be detrimental. Current and former Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologists, weed scientists, plant …
Whitefly Numbers Increasing in Florida Vegetables
According to today’s release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly numbers are increasing in some older tomato fields across the southwest Florida region. As many as 5 to 10 whiteflies per leaflet have been detected. Whiteflies are also present in high numbers in cucumbers, squash and eggplant. They are beginning to show up in some young tomato …