Thrips Update in South Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Thrips Update in South Florida Thrips populations are building across the South Florida region, according to the most recent release of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. In Southwest Florida, scout reports indicate that thrips population levels are increasing. There is moderate pressure overall with localized hotspots. Along the …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Pee Dee Report Brad Fowler Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds …

Blueberry Management Options for April

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has issued management strategies that blueberry growers should implement for April. Diseases For disease management, producers should apply suggested fungicides in rotation for control of disease threats like anthracnose and/or Alternaria fruit rot. Prompt harvests and cooling of ripe fruit is also important. One tool that growers should also …

Squash Bugs Impacting North Florida Melons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be aware that squash bugs are active around the perimeter of fields. Growers and scouts need to look for individual adults and mating pairs, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “The squash bug adults overwinter in the …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Pest Management, Food Safety Discussed at SE Regional

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Growers Gather To Tackle Crop Threats and Safety Standards By Clint Thompson and Frank Giles The Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference convened in January in Savannah, Georgia. The Savannah Convention Center, where the event is held, recently expanded, so attendees had a bigger trade show to enjoy. The conference provides more than 80 hours of educational programming on specialty …

Time is Now: Pecan Producers Protect Against Ambrosia Beetles

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan producers must remember that this is the time of year for ambrosia beetles to become active in orchards. They are especially dangerous to young trees and those that are currently experiencing stress-like conditions. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor of entomology at the UGA Tifton Campus, discussed the insect’s impact. “We have seen …

ambrosia

After Freeze, Ambrosia Beetles Are Potential Threat

Dan CooperFreeze, Pests

Florida citrus growers should be on the lookout for an uncommon citrus pest following the recent freeze events that devastated crops throughout the state. During a recent postfreeze webinar hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Team, Lauren Diepenbrock, associate professor and entomologist, warned growers about the ambrosia beetle. This pest can prey on …

Attention Blueberry Producers: Repeated Insecticide Sprays Needed Against Chilli Thrips

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia blueberry producers have viable insecticide options to protect their crop against chilli thrips. They just has to be applied more than once, says Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist. “We do have some (options) but they need to be repeated because of the way these chilli thrips, their life cycles work. It’s really hard to …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tom Bilbo – Extension Entomologist Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Upstate Samantha Brown Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet …