Sclerotinia blight has been confirmed in a peanut field in Surry County, VA. According to the Sclerotinia advisory, the current risk for Sclerotinia in Virginia is HIGH and scouting for the disease is recommended. Cool temperatures and high humidity favor disease development. Signs and symptoms of Sclerotinia blight include rapid wilting and death of infected branches, bleaching of stems, and white, fluffy fungal growth on stems, leaves, or pegs. Once Sclerotinia is identified in a field, a fungicide spray such as Omega is the best way to limit further development of the disease. For more information see the Peanut-Cotton Infonet (http://webipm.ento.vt.edu/cgi-bin/infonet1.cgi) or contact Dr. Hillary Mehl, Extension Plant Pathologist at the Tidewater AREC (hlmehl@vt.edu).