Whitefly infestations in South Florida range from low populations to high populations, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Pressure is low to moderate depending on the crop and location in the central part of the state. Pressure is extremely high on all crops in southwest Florida. Frequent sprays have helped manage the pests, but adults are continuing to …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Whitefly Infestations Vary Across Region
Whitefly infestations in South Florida range from low populations to high populations, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Pressure is low to moderate depending on the crop and location in the central part of the state. Pressure is extremely high on all crops in southwest Florida. Frequent sprays have helped manage the pests, but adults are continuing …
UGA’s Sparks Provides Insect Update
By Clint Thompson The recent hot and dry weather conditions that were prevalent across the Southeast could factor into how widespread insect pressure is heading into April. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, discussed the insect pests growers should be wary of during planting season across the region. “Diamondback moth is starting to build up. We’ve …
High Whitefly Levels in South Florida
Whitefly levels are high in many crops across southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Those crops include tomato, eggplant, watermelon and squash. Adults are infesting new plantings of tomatoes and melons quickly. Populations continue to be moderate to high in multiple crops along the east coast. Whitefly infestations are high in various crops in Homestead, …
Cold Temperatures Did Not Eliminate Pepper Weevils, Whiteflies
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 …
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 …
Whitefly Pressure Varies Across Florida
Whitefly pressure in Southwest Florida has increased in previous weeks as rains have decreased, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. However, levels are about the same for this time of year. Some young fields are being flooded with adults from neighboring mature fields, and management is necessary. There is moderate pressure on melons, while low to moderate …
Thinking Outside the Box: Alabama Extension Researching Whitefly Management Methods
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension is researching “outside the box” with regards to whitefly management. The pest is a threat to vegetable production not just by feeding on the plant but also by transmitting multiple viruses. It has forced scientists like Andre da Silva, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, to research alternative ways of managing the insect. “You need to think …
Whitefly Populations on Rise in Alabama Crops
By Clint Thompson Alabama cucurbit growers are already seeing increased whitefly populations in their fall crops. Whitefly-transmitted viruses are not far behind, says Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University. “My guess is with the number of whiteflies and with these crops we’ll start seeing symptoms with some of …
Whitefly Research at UGA-Tifton
By Clint Thompson Whiteflies are the basis for Teddy McAvoy’s fall research at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton campus. Whether it is testing susceptible varieties or researching alternative methods of whitefly management, the UGA Extension vegetable specialist’s focus is clear this fall; provide growers with better solutions in combating whiteflies. “It’s bad this year. We’re doing leaf counts, and …