By Clint Thompson The upcoming below-freezing temperatures should help South Georgia specialty crop producers trying to manage the growing whitefly population. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, discusses why warmer weather is not good for farmers with vegetables vulnerable to whitefly damage. “There’s still some whiteflies around, not near the populations …
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 …
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 …
Deploying Friendly Fungi in Citrus
Entomopathogenic fungi have recently been seen attacking citrus whitefly and cloudywinged whitefly nymphs in North Florida citrus groves. Muhammad Shahid, Mujahid Hussain and Danielle Sprague, all with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), wrote about the “friendly” fungi in the October UF/IFAS Cold Hardy Citrus Connection newsletter. Shahid is a horticulturalist and Hussain is a graduate assistant, …
Alabama Update: Growers Be Wary of Insect-Transmitted Diseases
By Clint Thompson The current drought-like conditions sweeping across the Southeast should have specialty crop producers wary of insect-transmitted virus diseases. The hot and dry weather favors pests like aphids and whiteflies. Growers should be concerned about subsequent diseases, says Ed Sikora, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. He discussed …
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 …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
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 …