By Clint Thompson Whiteflies have already been reported in Georgia vegetables this spring. They are not yet a concern for Alabama producers, however. Extension Entomologist Ron Smith said as cotton continues to be planted in Alabama, the focus right now is managing grasshoppers and thrips. Their focus will turn to whiteflies in early July. “I knew they overwintered at some …
Whiteflies Already a Concern for Georgia Farmers
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks said whiteflies are present in Georgia vegetables. This is not good since cotton farmers have begun planting their crop, and whiteflies like to feed on cotton plants as well. “There’s some. I don’t know if it’s worse or better or whatever compared to other years. Apurba’s been running …
Whiteflies Already a Problem for Florida Farmers
By Clint Thompson Between the coronavirus pandemic and decreased demand for their product, Florida’s vegetable farmers have had their share of challenges this past month. Add whiteflies to the list. According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, the Immokalee, Florida area in South Florida has seen hundreds of acres abandoned. This is due to irregular ripening and …
Protect Against Whiteflies by Destroying Plants After Harvest
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks says cole crop growers need to destroy their plants once they’re done harvesting this winter. Cole crops, such as cabbage, serve as hosts for whiteflies. Therefore, the crops must to be destroyed once harvest season concludes in order to prevent the risk of a whitefly infestation. “If you’ve …
Managing Fusarium Wilt and Whiteflies in Watermelon
By Ashley Robinson Fusarium wilt is one of the most serious and difficult diseases to manage in watermelons and occurs in most production regions worldwide. The fungal disease can be seedborne and has great longevity in the soil, allowing the infested soil to also serve as a source of infection. FUSARIUM WILT Fusarium wilt has been a recurring issue for …
Heavy Rains May Reduce Silverleaf Whiteflies
By Breanna Kendrick Silverleaf whitefly is a concern for growers across the state of Florida. The pest transmits tomato yellow leaf curl virus. “Some years, it’s very heavy early on and growers have to replant. But so far, the pests seem to be pretty well managed,” says Hugh Smith, associate professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida’s …
Research Team Targets Whiteflies
By Breanna Kendrick and Abbey Taylor The University of Georgia whitefly team is made up of research and Extension entomologists, plant pathologists and horticulture specialists. All of these professionals are involved in whitefly research across commodities such as peanuts, soybeans and vegetables. The team is doing research and education on whiteflies and the diseases that they vector. “It’s really just …
Phil Stansly to Discuss Whiteflies at Citrus Expo
Whiteflies vector diseases that can deteriorate crops and drastically reduce yield. Whiteflies have proven to be a major pest in Florida tomatoes and cucurbits. According to Stansly, whiteflies can cause severe problems in tomatoes. “You can have irregular ripening, so even if you’re using a variety that’s resistant to the viruses, you can still run into trouble if the populations …
Whiteflies Cause Concerns for 2018
Southeastern growers continue to struggle with whiteflies and the diseases they leave behind in crops. Josh Freeman, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida, said he is trying to advise growers to help them manage the pests and diseases as effectively as possible. The large amount of adult whiteflies in crops had some very strong negative effects for …
Multi-State Tomato Research Aimed At Studying Production in Hotter Weather Conditions
By Clint Thompson Tomato research at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus should help growers determine if crop production in hotter parts of the year is a feasible alternative. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, is studying the heat effects on tomatoes that are planted two weeks to a month later than they normally would. “We’re not planting …