By Sriyanka Lahiri Thrips Crop rescue through a well-planned pesticide rotation program currently remains the most effective method of pest management in conventionally grown strawberries. However, close monitoring for pests should be conducted as the first line of defense, especially since most strawberry pests are not visible through unaided vision. Flower thrips immatures and adults can feed on the fruit …
Caterpillar Pressure Varies Across Florida
Caterpillar pressure continues to vary across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Respondents in the Manatee-Ruskin region reported that populations are increasing. Melonworms in cucumber and squash were reported at moderate levels. Beet armyworms, cabbage loopers and a few hornworms were reported sporadically. Caterpillars have also been very active in the North Florida region. Scouts are …
Arthropod Pest Management in Conventional Strawberry Production
By Sriyanka Lahiri Crop rescue through a well-planned pesticide rotation program currently remains the most effective method of pest management in conventionally grown strawberries. However, close monitoring for pests should be conducted as the first line of defense, especially since most strawberry pests are not visible through unaided vision. Thrips Flower thrips immatures and adults can feed on the fruit …
Sneak Peek: October 2021 VSCNews Magazine
By Clint Thompson The October issue of VSCNews Magazine puts the spotlight on strawberries, one of Florida’s top fruit crops. Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses arthropod pest management strategies in conventional strawberry production. She highlighted control methods …
Not Ideal: Tough Weather Conditions for Hemp Production
By Clint Thompson Summer rains and increased pest infestations in the early fall created less-than-ideal conditions for producing hemp in Alabama. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, details some of the challenges hemp farmers are facing amid fall harvests. “People are dealing with caterpillars. We have corn earworms, yellow-striped armyworms, loopers, fall armyworms; I mean you name …
Fall Armyworm Infestations: Be Sure to Scout Against Insect Pressure
High pest pressure in Alabama means vegetable and specialty crop producers needs to stay vigilant in their scouting especially as fall crops like brassicas are being planted. Fall armyworm moths continue to be very active throughout Alabama. They have almost doubled in numbers since August 2021 and are more than five times the numbers from 2020. According to the Alabama …
Crop Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Timely Information
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “Last week was warm and humid again. Some of our sandier fields got dry enough early in the week that crops were wilting in between waterings. We got a bunch of rain …
Hemp Alert: Alabama Growers Watch out for Corn Earworms
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp producers need to be wary of high insect pressure across the region. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, said growers especially need to watch out for corn earworms. “The biggest thing that people need to be aware of that we’re dealing with right now is corn earworm. We started finding them in …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates Across the State
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update-8/9/21 Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Generally speaking, we are in the change-over period from spring to fall crops, with some fumigants being applied to next year’s strawberry plantings. If fumigants are to be used, …
Management Tactics for Fall Armyworm Infestations
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. …