Category Archives: Fruits and Vegetables

Cucurbit Downy Mildew found on transplants in South Carolina

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Cucurbit downy mildew was found this past week on Florida grown transplants (squash and zucchini) at a Home Depot in Charleston, SC. Once discovered, the transplants were destroyed, but, several may have been sold prior to discovery. The transplants originated from Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, FL (where cucurbit downy mildew is currently active). Growers and home owners should thoroughly inspect transplants prior to purchasing. We will continue to monitor the situation in SC to see if in-field development of downy mildew occurs. Let us know if you have any questions.

Manzate Pro-Stick (mancozeb) now registered for use on pepper, broccoli, cabbage, and lettuce

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Effective yesterday, the use of Manzate was approved for use on pepper and other crops. This is a substantial and much needed development for pepper specifically due to the recent loss of maneb. Attached is the Supplemental Label for Manzate Pro-Stick, please let me know if you have any further questions. Additional information: manazte-pro-stick-vegetable-supplement-4-6-11-pdf

Brown marmorated stink bug found on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

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The brown marmorated stink bug was found last week on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Nymphs of this exotic pest were feeding on yellow squash in our research plots in Painter, VA. As far as I know, this is the first documented occurrence of this pest on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Based on reports from New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and western counties of Virginia, this insect can be quite damaging to numerous crops, and population densities can build up to extreme levels. Crops that can be particularly hard hit include tree fruit, peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and from what I saw, cucurbits as well. In the fall, this stink bug will also aggregate on and in building structures similar to the Asian multicolored lady beetle. Click more to view an image of this pest. Additional information: brownmarmoratedstinkbug-01-jpg

Eastern Shore Insect Pest Activity for Week ending Aug 26

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Click More to view the insect trap counts for various locations on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Current counts as well as those from previous weeks are included. In summary corn earworm moth activity remains high in Eastville and Melf according to pheromone trap catches of approximately 50 moths per week. Beet armyworm moth activity is also peaking especially in Eastville.

Concomitant to this moth activity, we have been experiencing these pest larvae in multiple crops including soybeans, green beans, peppers, and tomatoes. Growers and crop consultants should still carefully monitor crops for these pests even if they have been sprayed previously.
Additional information: es-insect-trap-counts-8-24-10-5-xls

Eastern Shore Insect Pest Activity for Week ending Aug 26

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Click More to view the insect trap counts for various locations on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Current counts as well as those from previous weeks are included. In summary corn earworm moth activity remains high in Eastville and Melf according to pheromone trap catches of approximately 50 moths per week. Beet armyworm moth activity is also peaking especially in Eastville.

Concomitant to this moth activity, we have been experiencing these pest larvae in multiple crops including soybeans, green beans, peppers, and tomatoes. Growers and crop consultants should still carefully monitor crops for these pests even if they have been sprayed previously.
Additional information: es-insect-trap-counts-8-24-10-5-xls

Worms Continue to be a Threat on the Eastern Shore

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Heavy worm pressure is still being seen across the Eastern Shore. One field of sweet corn was assayed for baythroid resistant corn ear worms after showing 90% damage. This was after one spraying of Coragen followed by six additional treatments of baythroid. The results of the bioassay showed none of the worms were baythroid resistant. Only severe worm pressure would seem to be the cause. Corn ear worm and beet armyworm flights remain high especially in the Birdsnest/Machipongo area. Beet armyworms can also be found frequenting pigweed and lambsquarter around the edges of fields. Young corn on the station has been heavily damaged by fall armyworms and a few adults have appeared in the trap on station possibly presaging another flight of these destructive pests. Additional information: es-insect-trap-counts-7-30-10-8-18-10-xls

Worm Pressure Increasing on the Eastern Shore

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Corn earworm still seems to be the pest to watch right now. Numbers seem to be high to the south of us and increasing on the Shore. Continue to monitor fields for theshold numbers before spraying as worm pressure is heavy in some locations and low in others. Fall army worm pressure on the station seems to be dropping, although some small worms were seen, possibly indicating the beginning of a second generation. Beet army worm flights continue to be high in the traps, but few worms have been seen in the field. Trap numbers seem to be skewed possibly due high thunderstorm activity during the evenings keeping flight counts low. See attached Additional information: es-insect-trap-counts-7-30-10-8-11-10-2-xls

Eastern Shore insect trap catches for Week ending Aug 6

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Click More to receive the insect trap catches for the Eastern shore of Virginia for the week ending August 6. In summary, we are seeing an increase in trap catch of corn earworm and beet armyworm moths at most locations. Green stink bug catch also increased in black light traps. Additional information: es-insect-trap-counts-7-30-10-8-6-10-xls