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 …
Meet Alabama Extension’s New and Improved Farming Basics App
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – In 2019, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System brought the world of farming to the palm of a farmer’s hand with a smartphone application (app). The Farming Basics app opened a gateway of information for small and beginning farmers. Fast forward to 2022 — this app has a facelift, providing even more information to farmers. “The new …
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, …
Sneak Peek: July 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The July issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights the changing landscape in agriculture and the need for policy reform, specifically pertaining to increased imports. Zhengfei Guan, an associate professor, and Kuan-Ming Huang, a postdoctoral research associate, both at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida, discusses …
In-Depth Scouting Needed to Manage Insect Pests
By Clint Thompson More in-depth scouting is required by Alabama specialty crop producers hoping to maintain insect pests this summer season. It is not enough for growers to survey their crops by just looking at the plants. They need to examine the plants more closely to understand the significance of any impact. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant …
Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Teams to Host Vegetable Field Day
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.— Join the Alabama Cooperative Extension commercial horticulture team for a conventional and organic vegetable crop field day on May 31. The field day will be held at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, Alabama from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Tours will begin at the plant breeding unit at the railroad track …
How to Prevent Fruit-Boring Squash Insects
By Ayanava Majumdar, Olivia Fuller, David Lawrence and Jacob Kelley Squash and related cucurbits are favorite summer vegetables in farms across the Southeast. Though cucurbits grow fast under the right conditions, numerous insect pests feeding at various crop stages can make cucurbits a messy ordeal! In Alabama, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers and squash bugs arrive routinely during the young …
Storms May Aid in Transportation of Insect Pests
By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama has received its share of rainfall this spring. But with inclement weather, especially high winds, comes the potential for certain insect pests to be moved from field to field, says Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University. “If there’s any moth flights that have already begun, these storms will …
Sneak Peek: April 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
By Clint Thompson The April issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights watermelon production. It looks at the current trends and the future of anthracnose disease while also spotlighting new viruses to watch for in watermelons and other cucurbit crops. Severe anthracnose outbreaks have occurred in cucurbit-growing counties along the East coast, including in Florida and Georgia. University of Georgia …
Alabama Cucurbit Producers: Be Mindful of Cucumber Beetles
Alabama cucurbit producers need to be mindful of looming insect pests they are likely to encounter this growing season. It starts with cucumber beetles, usually the first pest farmers will see this year, according to Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. “They’ll jump onto the plants right when they’re young. They will start feeding …