By Sriyanka Lahiri Several arthropod pests occur in strawberries in Florida during the various stages of the crop cycle. Cyclamen mites (Phytonemus pallidus), if present, originate from strawberry nurseries as hitchhikers on transplants. Thankfully, a very small percentage of growers reported a cyclamen mite infestation during the strawberry season of 2019–2020. Soon after planting, armyworms (Spodoptera spp.), twospotted spider mites …
Supergene in Fire Ants May Lead to Understanding of Developmental Behaviors
By Sean Montgomery for UGA CAES News A unique study conducted by University of Georgia entomologists led to the discovery of a distinctive supergene in fire ant colonies that determines whether young queen ants will leave their birth colony to start their own new colony or if they will join one with multiple queens. Researchers also found that ants were …
Fire Ant Control Important for Alabama Vegetable Producers
Fire ant control is essential for Alabama vegetable growers hoping to protect their crop this fall. Alabama Cooperative Extension warns producers that fire ants are known to be pests of numerous vegetable crops, including okra and potatoes. Ayanava Majumdar, Alabama Extension Professor, said fire ants can especially be harmful to vegetables because they’ll congregate on plants that have a heavy …
Syngenta Insecticide Expert: Growers Need as Many Tools as Possible to Control Whiteflies
The greatest risk of whiteflies to fall vegetable production are the viruses they can transmit, according to Meade McDonald, Syngenta Insecticide Product Lead. That’s why growers need to utilize every weapon in the arsenal this year to combat a threat that is reaching its highest infestations since 2017. “Using multiple modes of action and using as many tools that are …
Broad Mites Big Problem for Vegetable Growers
Whiteflies are not the only insect wreaking havoc on vegetable crops this fall. According to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, broad mites are a problem for vegetable producers. “I’ve had several calls on broad mites, which are a problem primarily in peppers and eggplant,” Sparks said. “Unlike spider mites, spider mites like the middle of the …
Integrating Biological Controls for Root-Knot Nematodes, Weeds in Organic Farming
By Maria M. Lameiras for CAES News While weeds and plant parasites are a concern for all agricultural producers, organic farmers are doubly challenged to combat these problems without chemical solutions. Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a University of Georgia researcher is working to discover and integrate biological products and cover crops to control nematodes and …
Whiteflies Flaring Up in Florida Vegetables
According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, whiteflies are flaring up in tomatoes and watermelons in Southwest Florida. In the Central Florida area, growers indicate that whiteflies are present in tomatoes low numbers, although some of the early plantings were hit hard by whiteflies. Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus pressure remains less than 1% but it is …
UGA Vegetable Entomologist More Optimistic About Whiteflies Following Rain, Cooler Temperatures
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks is more optimistic about the ongoing whitefly problem that farmers are facing this fall – especially more than what he was feeling two weeks ago. His reason for optimism? Remnants from a hurricane and a drop in temperatures. Remnants from Hurricane Sally and cooler weather this week should help knock back …
UGA professor receives $5.4 million grant to combat destructive Asiatic fly
By Emily Cabrera for CAES News The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has been awarded a $5.4 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop long-term, sustainable methods for controlling the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Native to Asia, SWD is a tiny fly that was first detected …
Trap Cropping Effective in Reducing Unwanted Insect Populations
Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, touts trap cropping as being effective in controlling unwanted insect pests while also significantly reducing insecticide applications. “Not all insects will trap crop work. Trap crop works for insects that typically stay in clusters or have a strong border effect. For example, our sucking insect pests like the …