Mites levels are still low in some fields across southern Florida, though some species are increasing in numbers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Broad mites are increasing in Southwest Florida but still remain at low population levels Spider mites were reported to be low in multiple crops. Spider mite populations are growing in younger corn in …
UF/IFAS to Host South Florida Vegetable Meeting
Vegetable producers should mark their calendars for the next South Florida Vegetable Growers meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida. The meeting will last from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cover vegetable production with an emphasis on …
Whitefly Numbers Increasing Across South Florida
Vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Population numbers have reached high levels in some locations in the southwestern part of the state, though levels are low in other areas. Whiteflies are present in squash, cucumbers and watermelons in Homestead, …
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 …
Input Expenses Still a Concern for South Florida Growers Ahead of Fall Crop
By Clint Thompson It is a time to relax, reflect and look ahead to the fall crop if you are a vegetable farmer in South Florida. “Everybody’s pretty much on vacation in the vegetable world,” said Gene McAvoy, associate director for stakeholder relations at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Diamondback Moth Update
Diamondback moth populations remain at low levels across the Southwest Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Moderate levels are being observed in cabbage and other brassicas around the Everglades Agricultural Area. Insecticides are being reported as effective. Moth pressure remains moderate to high in cabbage along the East Coast. Populations were reported between 2 and …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Gummy Stem Blight Concerns
Gummy stem blight disease has increased in recent weeks in cucurbit fields across southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. It has become the predominate disease in some watermelon fields in the area. The disease remains moderate in cucumber crops on the east coast. Gummy stem blight’s symptoms appear as light to dark brown circular spots …
Bacterial Spot: Active but Declining in South Florida
Bacterial spot disease continues to be active on tomato and susceptible pepper varieties across Southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. However, overall disease pressure has declined with the recent dry weather in the southern part of the state. The disease continues to be widespread in fields in Homestead, Florida and is starting to become prevalent …
ABT Populations Low Across South Florida
Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations remain low across the South Florida region, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Scouting detected ABTs at a rate of less than 0.1 per bloom across most of the monitored fields. The one exception was eastern Immokalee, where populations reached 0.5 per bloom late in the crop cycle. …
Mite-y Big Concern: Mites a Problem for South Florida Producers
Mites are widely present in crops across the South Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Spider mites have increased in cucurbits, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and potatoes around Southwest Florida. Some fields have even required treatments by farmers. Spider mite populations are also high in some cucumber, pepper, tomato and eggplant in fields on the east …