VEPART Pest and Scouting Report

Hi all,

As harvest season ramps up, we’re observing a decrease in insect pressure on the primary crops we’ve been monitoring. However, there are some important signals to watch for in the coming weeks that could be crucial for managing potential pest outbreaks.

We found the first sign of Basil Downy Mildew on a susceptible variety of Genovese basil last week in Burlington. BDM can severely affect basil plantings and, if left untreated, can lead to complete crop loss. The telltale sign of BDM is a grayish color (from the developing spores) on the underside of basil leaves. It may sometimes appear as if soil has settled on the bottom of the leaf. If you suspect BDM, you can place the affected leaves in a Ziploc bag with a wet paper towel to encourage sporulation. Yellowing between the veins on the topside of leaves can also be an indicator of a potential outbreak.

A resource for identifying, reporting, and managing BDM is the Ag Pest Monitoring Site for basil. Though it seems from our checking on the site, that submissions for validated occurrences are not as consistent as in past years. Nonetheless, it is helpful to check if you are ever wondering. In recent years, some resistant cultivars have been developed. These cultivars and information on them may be found on the monitoring site too.

For those folks that have some later onion varieties in the ground or a good investment in leeks, we are seeing a high number of adult leek moths in our traps, suggesting that the latest flight is peaking.  If you are going to be harvesting over the next week or so, be aware that their may be some larvae or eggs in the leaves of your onions. We saw quite a few larvae feeding during our most recent onion harvest at the UVM research farm.   Topping is always a good option in that case. Not to mention, a significant amount of mildew and rot due to the consistent heavy rains this season.

Colorado potato beetle adults are emerging again and laying eggs on the undersides of potato plants. This new generation, combined with high pressure from early leafhoppers and increased precipitation, has severely affected many of the potato crops we’ve been monitoring. However, we are seeing some positive effects in our later plantings and research on delayed planting. While we haven’t analyzed the data yet, it appears that missing the emerging spring population of Colorado potato beetles might be a good strategy.

Updates from other nearby regions:

• Late blight found in Spartansburg, PA and Cattaraugus County, NY (8/13) and also in northern ME now, the same strains as the ones found in late blight infections in Ontario, Michigan, and New York this year.
• Corn earworm and fall armyworm now in Northern New York
• Alternaria leaf blight on cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe in Long Island

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Cheers,

VEPART Team

·      Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes, Solanums	Most populations are mixed stages, but adults have emerged for another generation and are laying eggs!
Squash Bug	Cucurbits	Adults and Nymphs are prevalent as normal for this time of year
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash, Cucumbers	Less bacterial wilt than previous yeasr
Flea Beetle	Kale, Collards, Cabbage	Not much of a problem at this stage, but we have an eye out for the latest brassica plantings.
Cabbage worms	Kale	Imported cabbage worm larvae are decimating some plantings and are especially prevalent in red Russian kale
Potato Leafhoppers	Potatoes, Beans	Leaf burn is extensive in various crops
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries, potatoes	Tarnished plant bugs are being found in relatively high numbers in various crops. Some outbreaks in lettuce have been severe.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	Latest flight is peaking and we are seeing larvae already in our harvested onions
Squash vine borer	Winter and Summer Squash	Pressure has been very high these days and this year!
Mexican Bean Beetle	Beans	Seeing larvae, adults and damage. Not extensive but some small outbreaks

 

 

Hi all,

Another week of hot and humid conditions has led to continued high pest pressure within the region. Not to mention that mosquito populations are at their peak of the season (we hope).  We are seeing most of the usual (insect) suspects these days, so it is more a game of managing impacts rather than avoiding establishment.

This season is shaping up to be one of the most severe for squash vine borers in recent memory, with multiple larvae often being found in single plants.  The situation has been further exacerbated by a seasonal surge in squash bug populations and some outbreaks of bacterial wilt, driven by cucumber beetles. Despite these significant pest pressures, the impact on yield has been relatively limited. Healthy cucumber and squash plants seem to be thriving in the current heat, which appears to be mitigating some of the damage.

Although cucurbits are facing significant insect pest pressure, we have not observed extensive disease issues on the farms we are currently monitoring. Some powdery mildew has been detected, but downy mildew has not yet appeared, although a recent confirmed case was reported in southeastern NY (Orange County). With the recent storms, we anticipate that downy mildew may potentially spread further north. Additionally, we have not yet encountered any basil downy mildew, though there have been confirmed reports in eastern Massachusetts.

Onion harvest has begun on many farms in the region, and it seems like a good time for harvest. Onion thrips were just peaking in the region and we’ve spotted some onion downy mildew. For those with onions still in the ground, be aware that leek moth populations in the Champlain valley are mostly in late stage larval and pupal stages. Which means that it is unlikely that you’ll be bringing in many eggs or early stage larvae into your storage or curing areas. Though, topping is always a good option to remove any doubt.

Some notes from nearby farming areas:

• Increasing western bean cutworm in Northern New York
• Lots of squash vine borer damage in Hudson Valley
• White rot confirmed in garlic in Maine

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Cheers,

VEPART Team

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes, Solanums	Most populations are mixed stages, though we are seeing a lot of adults emerging these days
Squash Bug	Cucurbits	Adults and Nymphs are prevalent
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash, Cucumbers	Seeing the multiple incidence of bacterial wilt in the region.
Flea Beetle	Kale, Collards, Cabbage	Not much of a problem at this stage.
Cabbage worms	Kale	Imported cabbage worm larvae are decimating some plantings and are especially prevalent in red Russian kale
Potato Leafhoppers	Potatoes, Beans	Still seeing high pressure of adult leafhoppers in potato fields. Leaf burn is extensive in various crops
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries, potatoes	Tarnished plant bugs are being found in relatively high numbers in various crops. Some outbreaks in lettuce have been severe.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	Larval damage is extensive in all plantings.  We are seeing a lot of cocoons.
Squash vine borer	Winter and Summer Squash	Pressure has been very high these days.
Mexican Bean Beetle	Beans	Seeing larvae, adults and damage. Not extensive but some small outbreaks
Onion Thrips	Onions	Damage is becoming severe in plantings on black plastic.

 

Hi all,

First off, our team would like to express our support for the farming community during this challenging time. It’s disheartening to find ourselves conveying similar sentiments year after year, but here we are doing exactly that.  If there’s any way we can assist with your recovery efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We have a dedicated team ready to lend a hand. Also, I want to acknowledge that due to some extenuating circumstances on our team, we were unable to get out the scouting reports the last couple of weeks, but we are now at full strength and out in the field again

With the consistent precipitation, we are seeing a lot of leaf diseases, which is no surprise. Some important updates regarding vegetable diseases in the region include:

Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) has been reported in the Finger Lakes region and Hudson Valley of New York. While we haven’t detected it at our farms yet, given the recent storm systems, it may already be present in the region. This fungal-like organism does not overwinter here but arrives with storm fronts from the south. It often devastates late cucumber plantings in Vermont, appearing either later in the season or during active storm periods. CDM exclusively affects cucurbit plants, typically starting on older leaves and spreading to younger ones as the infection progresses. As symptoms worsen (via sporulation), the lower leaf surface develops a light grayish-purple “downy” appearance. Lesions can merge, leading to extensive tissue death and exposing fruit to sunscald. Severe infections can cause significant defoliation. Opting for resistant cultivars is the best defense, though conventional fungicides are effective. More information and images are available here: https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/fact-sheets/cucurbits-downy-mildew

Basil Downy Mildew  (BDM) has been reported in Massachusetts. As a reminder, BDM is a pathogen that blows in from the south each year and once established in a field is very hard to manage. It really becomes a situation of damage control – getting rid of any diseased plants in the hopes of saving healthy plants. The reality is, once an outbreak takes hold, there is not much can be done other than the removal of diseased material. Also, a reminder that the Ag Pest Monitoring Site for basil is a great resource for identifying, reporting, and managing BDM.

Angular leaf spot in cucurbits is also being found in the region.  ALS is a bacterial disease that typically shows up earlier in the season because it is seedborne. Because of the many leaf spot diseases in cucurbits, it can sometimes be hard to diagnose even from visual inspections and photos. It is best to send in a sample to the plant diagnostic clinic if you want to be sure.

Some insect pest updates are:

Leek moth adults are still flying, but the trap numbers are declining. As this most recent flight wanes, we are seeing substantial damage in onion leaves and leeks. If you are beginning to see larval damage (i.e. window-paning on leaf tubes) in your onions, it is likely that the LM population has begun to transition out of the adult egg-laying phase. Window-paning in onions (from leek moth larvae) generally does not affect yield very much, marketable damage tends to occur in storage as larvae move into bulbs. We have found that topping onions in the event of a presumed outbreak can serve as an easy way keep larvae out of curing and storage areas.

Swede midge damage has picked up on many of the farms that we’ve been monitoring, especially in plants situated at the ends of beds. Red Russian kale and collards are consistently exhibiting the highest levels of swede midge damage. Though we have also seen some “blind heads” of broccoli, where swede midge larvae have fed extensively on the growing tip leading to the complete loss of a viable broccoli head.

It is shaping up to be an active year for spotted wing drosophila (SWD), especially in comparison to last year. The higher humidity and precipitation is providing ideal conditions for large outbreaks. We are finding SWD on all of the farms that we are monitoring and we are seeing some berries with SWD damage. Over the next couple of weeks we will be actively evaluating collected berries to determine actual pressure from larvae within berries.

We are also receiving a lot of emails from growers with reports of high numbers of Oriental, Japanese, and Asiatic beetles. Typically, scarab beetles are more of an issue in turfgrass and ornamentals, but sometimes can be an issue in herbs or waxy-leaf plants. Japanese beetles can be a bit of a pain in edamame too! Most issues from grubs of scarabs occur outside of veggie fields or fields that have recently been under grass cover crops or sod but big outbreaks in root crops can occur. There is limited evidence that entomopathogenic nematodes and/or fungi can be an effective control.

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Cheers,

VEPART Team

 

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes, Solanums	Most populations are beginning to pupate in the soil, though we are seeing some 4th instars.
Squash Bug	Cucurbits	Adults and Nymphs are prevalent
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash, Cucumbers	Quite variable from plant to plant and farm to farm, but where there are outbreaks they seem to be rather concerning. Seeing the first incidence of bacterial wilt in the region.
Flea Beetle	Kale, Collards, Cabbage	Not much of a problem at this stage.
Cabbage worms	Kale	Seeing a lot of diamondback moth caterpillars and imported cabbage worm larvae.
Potato Leafhoppers	Potatoes, Beans	Still seeing high pressure of adult leafhoppers in potato fields. Leaf burn is extensive in various crops
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries, potatoes	Tarnished plant bugs are being found in relatively high numbers in strawberries and potatoes
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	The second flight is waning and larval damage is extensive in all plantings.
Squash vine borer	Winter and Summer Squash	Seeing relatively high pressure in fields. Sometimes is hard to know if it is bacterial wilt or SVB
Mexican Bean Beetle	Beans	Seeing larvae, adults and damage. Not extensive but some small outbreaks
Onion Thrips	Onions	Damage is really starting to show in all of our onion plantings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi all,

After visiting a bunch of farms the last week or so, it seems that the season has been very productive and seemingly going well for growing lots of different crops. That said, there are quite a few pests that have arrived earlier than expected and some populations are starting their second generations in the region.

One of the more discussed pests this year has been leek moth, and for good reason, as we have seen very high pressure early in the seasons in allium crops (e.g. garlic, scallions, etc.). For those paying attention, we are currently at “peak” flight in the region with very high counts in most traps.  Eggs are currently being laid on onions and other alliums, and we expect them to hatch within the next week, leading to larval feeding. Look for signs of leek moth caterpillar feeding, often recognized by “window-paning” in onion crops. For effective chemical controls, it’s best to apply treatments about 7 days after the peak, which should align near the end of this week for growers in the Champlain Valley.

In cucurbits, we are beginning to catch squash viner borers in our traps and seeing them out in the field landing on leaves.  Reports from neighboring states indicate high trap counts, so it’s crucial to watch for larval entry holes at the base of squash plants. Individual plants can recover if larvae are removed from the vine and the wound is buried with soil. Additionally, cucumber beetles have caused some plant losses, primarily due to bacterial wilt, a disease spread by the beetles. If you notice sudden squash plant death, inspect them to determine if it’s due to squash vine borers or bacterial wilt.

Mexican bean beetle adults are being found in all of the bean crops that we are monitoring, and we have reports from other growers that they are seeing eggs and adults as well.  Be sure to scout your crops over the next week, especially if you are already seeing eggs being laid on the underside of leaves. Once bean beetle larvae begin to pop out of their eggs, damage can build very quickly.  Luckily, for those growers interested in using biological control tactics, there is a rather effective option. The parasitoid wasp species, Pediobius foveolatus is commercially available within the region. The wasp is currently reared and sold by the New Jersey Dept of Agriculture and can be purchased from other biocontrol suppliers. For more information on the wasp and ordering directly from suppliers, you can check out the informative UMass website dedicated to the wasp.

Finally, for berry growers, we still are yet to catch any spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in any of our traps this season. We’ve switched to the Scentry brand traps this season as opposed to the homemade grape juice “dunking” liquid traps. We have been pleasantly surprised with the efficiency and ease of using the Scentry SWD traps. They seem to be highly selective for fruit flies. If SWD are present, we anticipate they will be captured by these traps. Additionally, we’ve received reports of a positive trapping of blueberry maggot in the Champlain Valley, marking the earliest detection that we can remember. We’ll continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as it develops.

Some notes from outside Vermont:

• Spring emergence of swede midge continues in Northern New York. Damage symptoms now visible (blind plants, twisted leaves, etc)
• The first western bean cutworm and corn earworms found in southern NH.
• Downy mildew in cucurbits detected in NJ

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season. 

 

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the  New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. 

Cheers, 

Vic, Julian, Maya, Zack, and the rest of the VEPART team 

 

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes, Solanums	Finding mostly eggs and larvae of all stages, mostly 2nd and 3rd instars (medium sized). Larvae will begin pupating in the soil soon.
Squash Bug	Cucurbits	Eggs masses are numerous, and a few nymphs are emerging.
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash, Cucumbers	Quite variable from plant to plant and farm to farm, but where there are outbreaks they seem to be rather concerning. Seeing the first incidence of bacterial wilt in the region.
Flea Beetle	Kale, Collards, Cabbage	Not much of a problem at this stage.
Cabbage worms	Kale	We are seeing some diamondback moth outbreaks on some farms and surprised with how many we are seeing. Other cabbage moth caterpillars are present but not yet cause much damage.
Potato Leafhoppers	Potatoes, Beans	High pressure of adult leafhoppers in potato fields. Leaf burn is really picking up.
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries, potatoes	Tarnished plant bugs are being found in relatively high numbers in strawberries and potatoes
Three-lined potato bug.	Tomatillos	Pressure is waning a bit.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	The second flight is peaking and eggs are being laid. We saw our first small caterpillar this week
Squash vine borer	Winter and Summer Squash	Trap numbers are increasing and high in some regions
Mexican Bean Beetle	Beans	Seeing a relatively high number of adults
Onion Thrips	Onions	Pressure is building as we are spotting most stages of the insect. Damage is also beginning to crop up in many onion plantings.

 

Hi all, 

First off, I want to extend my gratitude to all the growers who have been reaching directly out to our team via email. Your input is invaluable for compiling this weekly report and gaining a statewide perspective on current pest issues. Please continue to send in photos of any pests you’re unsure about or need to identify. 

With the recent precipitation, we anticipate a notable increase in disease incidence over the next few weeks. To prepare for this impending surge, it’s important to keep an eye out for any sick plants or signs of fungal diseases (e.g. mildews, etc.). 

This past week, we’ve received numerous reports from growers regarding high leek moth pressure in garlic, particularly noticeable in scapes. Many growers who are encountering leek moth for the first time on their farms are particularly concerned. Fortunately, while foliar damage typically does not lead to significant yield losses, the larvae can pose a threat when they are incidently brought into curing or storage areas. As previously mentioned, topping onions and garlic is an effective strategy to mitigate bulb damage. For those considering chemical applications, the optimal timing is usually about a week after the peak flight of adult moths. Currently, we’re observing an increase in adult moths in our traps across the region, though we are not yet at peak levels. We anticipate that the Champlain Valley will likely approach peak levels in about a week. 

Additionally, we’re noticing an increase in diamondback moth adults and pupae in brassica plantings on our monitored farms. These moths have likely arrived early this season due to some early spring weather systems. While they typically cause minimal damage at low population levels, occasional spikes can result in significant marketable damage, especially in leafy brassicas like kale and cabbage. Look out for their distinctive net-like cocoons on the undersides of leaves. 

 

Several growers have also shared some unusually early Japanese beetle outbreaks on some vegetable and berry farms. Although these beetles are primarily known as pests of ornamental plants and turf grass, they can severely impact important vegetable and fruit crops such as blueberries, basil, corn (silks), grapes, and asparagus. Some early pressure has even been noted on solanums this year. Organic growers may consider options like neem and pyrethrin products. Additionally, we’ve received images of other scarab beetle adults (e.g., Asiatic beetle) emerging on farms, which require similar control strategies. 

 

Lastly, there have been reports of squash vine borer in the southeastern part of the state, although we haven’t detected any in our traps in Chittenden and Addison County yet. Given the early emergence of other pests this year, we anticipate locating squash vine borers in our traps soon. 

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season. 

 

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the  New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. 

Cheers, 

Vic, Julian, Maya, Zack, and the rest of the VEPART team 

 

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes, Solanums	Still seeing mostly adults and eggs, but on some farms there are some smaller larvae.
Squash Bug	Cucurbits	Definitely growing in numbers. Eggs masses are numerous, and a few nymphs are emerging.
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash, Cucumbers	Though we have seen some outbreaks on farms, the populations are pretty consistent and in some fields stabilized and declining.
Flea Beetle	Kale, Collards, Cabbage	Finding quite a few flea beetles, though most plants are tolerating the pressure and the high temps could push this first flight out.
Cabbage worms	Kale	We are seeing some diamondback moth outbreaks on some farms. Cabbage white larvae are also increasing.
Potato Leafhoppers	Potatoes, Beans	High pressure of adult leafhoppers in potato fields. Leaf burn has begun in some plots and nymphs are beginning to be seen. It seems like a particularly bad year.
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries, potatoes	Tarnished plant bugs are being found in relatively high numbers in strawberries and potatoes
Three-lined potato bug.	Tomatillos	We are seeing some large outbreaks in tomatillos and ground cherries.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	The second flight is beging and adults are flying but the trap numbers have been relatively low. Lots of larval damage in garlic scapes
Squash vine borer	Winter and Summer Squash	Trap numbers are increasing. Monitoring your squashes is advisable.

 

 

Hi all,

With the solstice right around the corner, all of the resident pests that are able to overwinter here in Vermont are mostly all being seen. In addition, several pests that we often see later in the season have been found in fields and traps quite a bit earlier than in years past.

 

As mentioned last week, potato leafhoppers (PLH) are already around, and in some crops/fields, they seem to be quite abundant. We haven’t seen spotted wing drosophila (SWD) adults in our traps yet, but with reports from NY indicating some positive catches, it is only a matter of time till we see them in our traps. We will keep you posted.

 

Leek moth adults are just now beginning to emerge from allium crops, as we have caught a hand full of adults this past week across several farms. This second “flight” of moths is particularly concerning for onion growers, and with rising temperatures, we anticipate the peak flight arriving sooner rather than later. Next week’s trap counts will provide a clearer picture of what to expect.

 

Onion thrips are being reported throughout the region. We are yet to see  significant pressure on the farms that we’ve been monitoring but thrips populations typically thrive in hot and dry conditions. So, be on the lookout for thrips in your onions. They are quite small, but they can be easily identified with a hand lens or even the naked eye. Early infestations can be monitored by looking between the leaves near the base of the plant.

 

Finally, there have been reports of high incidence of cabbage root maggot outbreaks in brassicas this season. Generally, cabbage root maggots will feed on the roots of a wide range of brassica plants. Reports of outbreaks have been common in broccoli and kale this year. That said, field research has shown that CRM does prefer turnip-like brassicas (B. rapa) and Chinese cabbage (B. rapa chinensis and B. rapa pekinensis) to most other brassicas. It is also notable that tuberous brassicas (e.g. radishes, turnips, etc.) better support maggot development and survival.

A few of the most important developments from other areas:

• First squash vine borer caught in traps in southern NH. We haven’t seen any in our traps in VT yet.
• One fall armyworm moth has been caught in southern NH.
• Spring swede midge emergence ongoing in the region. There is yet to be any positive crop damage reported.

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

 

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the  New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Vic, Julian, Maya, Zack, and the rest of the VEPART team

 

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes, Solanums	Seeing mostly adults and young (1st and 2nd instars) larvae. Though pressure is bulidng
Squash Bug	Cucurbits	Low pressure in most of the plantings that we have been monitoring.
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash, Cucumbers	Very high pressure and outbreaks on many farms.
Flea Beetle	Kale, Collards, Cabbage	Finding quite a few flea beetles, though most plants are tolerating the pressure and the high temps could push this first flight out.
Cabbage worms	Kale	Low pressure cabbage worm on dino kale only. A few cocoons found.
Potato Leafhoppers	Potatoes	High pressure of adult leafhoppers in potato fields. We are yet to see any leaf burn or significant nymph populations

 

Hi all,

After the warm temperatures and dry conditions that have typified the last couple of weeks, we are finally receiving some cooler and wetter conditions. Though the rains have provided us with much needed moisture, it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly related to pests and diseases.

One of the more important scouting notes this week is the arrival of potato leafhoppers (PLH) in the region. We’ve seen adult PLH on all of the farms that we’ve been currently monitoring in both Chittenden and Addison counties. This is the earliest that our team has identified PLH in Vermont (roughly 4 years). We are yet to see any nymphs, but some of the populations in potato have been pretty large, so we assume that they’ve been here for at least a week or more. We are also finding PLH adults in bean crops. So, it is a good time to start scouting for the adults and small green nymphs. Tapping or brushing plants is one way to check crops for adults (they’ll jump/fly when disturbed), but you’ll need to look on the underside of leaves to find the wingless nymphs, which tend to be the most damaging life stage. The sooner you can identify them, the better. Once you get “burned,” the damage is not reversible.

PLH can be a serious pest in a variety of crops including potato, beans, eggplant, alfalfa, strawberries, among many others. You will often see a spike in populations following hay-cuttings. Luckily, PLHs are not able to overwinter this far north. However, once they are found in the region, they are here to stay for the season. PLH populations will rapidly grow soon after colonizing a crop, so be on the lookout.

A few of the most important new developments:

Unfortunately, Spotted wing drosophila adults have been identified in traps in Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. We are yet to find any in our traps, but it seems imminent given the proximity of those areas to our trapping sites. This would also be the earliest that we’ve seen SWD in our traps since we’ve begun our scouting and monitoring program. We’ll let you know as soon as we see SWD in our traps. If you are looking to set up SWD monitoring traps on your farm, there are two styles: baited sticky card traps and “drowning” traps. If you choose to use sticky card traps with lures, be sure to use red sticky cards, as they have been shown to be the most attractive. As far as drowning traps Scentry produces a commercial drowning trap or you can simply use diluted grape juice. Research out of UMass Extension has determined that a mixture of diluted grape juice (3 parts water: 1 part grape juice) with 2% (by weight) table salt, fermented for one week, is a cheap and effective bait mixture. You can hang a plastic container (4mm holes near the top) with some of the above concoction in your berry crop and check them weekly for easy monitoring.

Leek Moth traps are still clean of adult moths, so we are still between flights in the region. Larval damage is really picking up in garlic, as we’ve seen substantial damage in on garlic scapes. We have also spotted some leek moth cocoons at the tops of garlic leaves. The second flight is likely to begin in the next week or so. As it gets closer to harvest time for some alliums (e.g garlic), it is important to scout and see what stage (i.e. larvae, pupae, etc.) of moths you have in your crop. Unsuspectingly bringing eggs and/or larvae into curing and/or storage areas can be an issue. Our research has shown that topping alliums prior to curing can reduce the risk of damage from leek moth larvae occurring during storage and does not affect the long term quality of the crop.

Striped cucumber beetles are in full force in most squash and cucumber plantings. Thanks to all of the farmers that reached out to us last week indicating that SCB has been active for a couple of weeks. We are seeing lots of mating pairs and feeding damage, especially in winter squash of the maxima species (e.g. Blue Hubbard).  Though feeding damage can be worrisome for smaller plants and seedlings, SCB are also a vector of bacterial wilt which can be quite a challenge. Cucurbita maxima is known to be the preferred species of winter squash for cucumber beetles (and squash bugs) and is often utilized as a trap crop for other less preferred species (C. pepo and C. moschata). C. maxima has been well researched as a potential trap crop. Kaolin clay applications (e.g. flat dunks) are a popular and effective organic method for reducing pressure on smaller seedlings.

Finally, I want to acknowledge and extend gratitude to our newest summer research scouts, Julian Wise, Maya Lis and Zack Watson-Stevens. These burgeoning entomologists will be doing the bulk of the scouting work for the rest of the season. You may see them on a farm or at a farmer’s market, in which case give them a high five! These scouting reports wouldn’t be possible without their tireless effort.

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the  New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Vic, Julian, Maya, Zack, and the rest of the VEPART team

 

Pest	Crop			Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes			We are seeing CPB adults and eggs in eggplant and potato. Populations are predominantly adults and eggs
Spinach/Beet leaf miner	Spinach, Swiss Chard, Beets			Adult flies are flying and laying eggs. Larvae are making significant damage with their mining. It seems like a very bad season.
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash/Cucumber			Beetles are being seen and they are in high numbers
Flea Beetle	Broccoli/ Kale			Pressure seems relatively modest in most areas
Imported cabbage worms	Brassica crops (Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, etc.)			Cabbage whites are flying and laying eggs. We have not seen larvae yet, but that should only be a matter of time.
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries			Tarnished plant bugs are being found in strawberries in the region. Cat-facing and other types of strawberry deformation from the “sting” of the bug has been seen.
Potato Leafhoppers	Potato and Beans			We are seeing PLH adults in both potato and beans. We haven’t seen any nymphs yet, but adult numbers have been high in some areas.
Three-lined potato bug.		Tomatillos	We are seeing some large outbreaks in tomatillos
Leek Moth		Onions/Garlic	We are primarily seeing pupae and late instar larvae. Though our traps are still clear, so the second flight is still yet to begin

 

Hi all,

With the dry conditions persisting and new plantings sprouting across the region, we’re seeing a surge in pest activity on most farms. This is the time of year when vigilance in scouting is key to reducing pest pressure. We’ll keep you informed about the latest developments!

Some highlights from the past week at our locations are:

Several growers in Chittenden County, including here in Burlington, have reported Spinach leaf miner  eggs and larval damage. Their small, bright white eggs are easily spotted on the underside of leaves. Spinach leaf miner infestations can worsen with the presence of lamb’s quarters and wild amaranth, which serve as alternative host plants. Effective weed management can significantly reduce their impact. For organic growers, it is recommended to use spinosad based products (i.e. Entrust) with an added spreader-sticker to increase the potential of contact or feeding from larvae after hatching. Of course, insect exclusion netting can also help if applied prior to their arrival. If you are not seeing eggs yet, it might be a good time to cover your chard and spinach!

Instances of three-lined potato beetles are increasing in many fields, particularly in Chittenden County. Despite their name, these pests seldom feed on potatoes, preferring tomatillos and ground cherries instead. They are often mistaken for striped cucumber beetles due to their similar striped pattern, but can be distinguished by their orange/red head and legs. Also, the yellow larvae of the three-line potato beetle feed upon the leaves of their host plant (and cover themselves in their own feces as a predator repellent!), in contrast to cucumber beetle whose larvae feed on plant roots. Exclusion netting or row cover can effectively protect susceptible crops from these beetles. Once an outbreak occurs, recovery without chemical controls becomes challenging.

As mentioned last week, Colorado potato beetle adults are actively mating and laying eggs on eggplants and early-season potatoes. Eggplants are particularly vulnerable during this period when potatoes are less prevalent. Keep an eye out for the characteristic orange egg masses under leaves, as larvae will soon emerge. Larvae are the most damaging stage of the beetle, but are also most susceptible to chemical treatments. Furthermore, research has shown that, for potatoes, the most important plant life stage for controlling CPB is during the flowering stage when tubers are beginning to form.  Potato plants can tolerate quite a bit of foliar damage in the early and late stages of vegetative growth and still maintain yields.

Many of the root maggot pests, (e.g. seedcorn, cabbage, etc.), are actively feeding on plant roots in the soil.  Growers in the lower Champlain Valley and warmer regions of the state are likely to see reduced pressure from many of these maggots as temperatures increase in those regions.

Be on the lookout of the following pests:

Some pests that are being reported in more southernly and warmer regions are:

• First swede midge trap catch of the season in Essex Co, NY last week.
• First cucumber beetles have been found in Northern New York. We are yet to find them in Burlington, but we’ll likely find them very soon.
• European Corn Borer has been found in traps in the Hudson Valley.

 

As always you can find our weekly reports at go.uvm.edu/pests

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

vizzo@uvm.edu & slewins@uvm.edu

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes	High numbers of CPB in eggplant and potato. Adults are mating and laying eggs at a precipitous rate.
Spinach leaf miner	Spinach, Swiss Chard, Beets	Adult flies are flying and laying eggs. Some larval tunneling is being reported in NY and a few growers in Vermont.
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash/Cucumber	We have yet to find adults yet, but as cucurbits begin to be planted in the region, we imagine this will change soon.
Flea Beetle	Broccoli/ Kale	We are in peak flea beetle season. Large populations are being reported throughout the state.
Three-lined cucumber beetle	Tomatillos, ground cherries	We are seeing large outbreaks right now in the region
Cutworms	Various crops	Cutworms are causing a lot of trouble in high tunnels and in the field. We’ve seen several large outbreaks in gardens around Burlington s

 

Hi all,

With the unseasonably warm temperatures here in Vermont and limited rain over the last week, we are seeing some pests earlier this season than in years past. Once they emerge, the pest pressure tends to really pick up irrespective of weather.

Pest Week in review

Colorado potato beetle (CPB) adults are already being found in fields and gardens in Burlington. Seeing CPB searching for viable host plants at this point of the season highlights the potential of delayed potato planting as a strategy for reducing CPB damage. As mentioned last year, our research team is exploring the delayed planting strategy this upcoming season and are always looking for growers interested in participating in both the on-farm trials and the educational program. If you are interested in either, please reach out. At the very least, we can provide you with some resources and invite you to any workshops or field days relevant to the program. Similarly, some growers are using some interesting early season trap and burn strategies that are reportedly showing some success. If you would like more information on this technique you can check out Seth Bent’s short presentation from the 2023 winter VVBGA webinar series here. (25:30 minute mark)

A few other highlights from the past week:

Leek moth:  The first flight of leek moth is over and we are beginning to see limited leek moth caterpillar feeding damage in garlic. Window paning damage are the primary symptoms that are most recognizable. Generally, economic damage in garlic tends to be limited to scapes, as the larvae tend to feed on the tops of plants. So, if garlic scapes are important for your farm, I would monitor any garlic plantings for leek moth damage to gauge their potential future impact on those scapes.  We expect the next adult flight to begin sometime in mid/late June.

Cabbage root maggot: Cabbage root maggots are beginning to feed in various brassicas, including radishes. The overwintering generation have been laying eggs over the past couple of weeks and according to the NEWA pest models, the first generation of new adults are flying around in Burlington. Maggot pests (e.g. cabbage maggot, seed corn maggot, etc.) seem to be especially thriving this spring. The early season warmth can lead to early emergence, while the subsequent cooler temps can extend egg-laying and egg survival within the cooler soil profile. Eggs do not do well when laid on warm soil.

Flea Beetle: Flea beetles are thriving here in Burlington and the southern part of the state and it sounds like they are some large outbreaks in brassica plantings throughout the northeast. Row covers for small seedlings can be an effective strategy for dampening their impact on the sensitive plants.

Cutworms: Cutworms are being seen at our monitoring sites and being reported by various growers. Some growers are seeing them in tunnels and are experiencing significant pressure. Remember that the first generation of cutworm may initially begin to feed on available weeds, so keeping weeds at bay especially around tunnels can help to reduce their impact.

Be on the lookout of the following pests:

Some pests that are being reported in more southernly and warmer regions are:

• First striped cucumber beetles in PA, Western NY, and mid-coast ME
• Imported Cabbage Worms (aka cabbage whites) are being reported in MA.

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the  New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

vizzo@uvm.edu

Pest	Crop	Observations
Cabbage root maggot:	Brassicas	We are seeing damage in various early season brassicas including radishes. We are fully in the first generation of cabbage maggot.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	Larval damage is beginning to be seen in garlic. Typical window-paning and some frass is being documented
Flea Beetle	Arugula, kale, broccoli	Beetles are being found in high numbers in many brassica crops. Row covers can be an effective strategy for protecting vulnerable brassica seedlings.
Cutworms:	Various crops	Cutworms are causing a lot of trouble in high tunnels and in the field. We’ve seen several large outbreaks in gardens around Burlington s

 

 

Hi all,

Over the past two weeks with continued onslaught of rain and stormy conditions, it seems that disease and insect pressure is peaking in many crops. We are especially seeing a lot of disease in field solanums (e.g. potatoes, tomatoes, etc.) and cucurbits. This is no surprise with the high humidity and consistent leaf wetness.

In addition to disease buildup in potatoes, we are also seeing a significant rise in potato leafhopper (PLH) populations on our monitoring farms. Hopper burn combined with CPB feeding damage can significantly stress plants leading to potential outbreaks of leaf-spot diseases, blights, and other fungal pathogens.  The fields that we are monitoring are exhibiting severe impacts from the insect and disease cocktail.

It has been a strange year for leek moth populations, as the second flight of leek moth adults extended through the entire month of July at low levels.  This extended flight has led to a surprisingly large third flight, arriving right on the heels of the second flight. At the moment, our monitoring trap numbers are very high. We presume that adults are actively laying eggs on available allium foliage. The (poor) timing of the third flight may increase the risk of feeding damage occurring in onions currently being harvested and moved into curing/storage areas. As leaf tubes begin to dry down, newly hatched larvae tend to move closer to (or into) the bulb.

Topping onions prior to curing or storage can be an effective strategy for avoiding leek moth damage during curing/storage. The topic of onion topping has recently been explored on the VVBGA listserve. We would like to thank Stephen Chamberlain of Dutchess Farm for compiling feedback about the different approaches and outcomes from onion topping. It seems that the experience of most respondents supports our own research on the utility of onion topping as a leek moth avoidance strategy.

To reiterate for those who did not see some of the responses, here are a few select responses:

“We usually cut our onions at about the spot of the natural bend in the stem (2-3″ above the top of the onion) and also trim the roots.  Then we just dry them in the barn in crates or boxes.  They seem to last well into spring depending on the variety.”

“We fully clip all our onions leaving about a 2″ neck, in the field so we don’t spread leek moth from our off-site field to the home farm…They dry just fine for long-term storage, (until spring) so I imagine that short term storage would be fine.”

“I had good luck drying “Bridger” onions clipped.   These were overwintered hoop house onions.   The tops had fallen over and not yet dried.  They  stored excellently.”

Finally, we have begun to see high levels of spotted wing drosophila larvae in blueberries and raspberries.  Recent berry sampling (i.e. salt floats) from farms in northwestern Vermont are exhibiting extensive outbreaks.  Even berries that look healthy and taste great, are showing high levels of infestation.

As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found here. In addition to the pests reported here, our website also has a more comprehensive list of pests. The list also documents the progression of many common pests as they emerge throughout the season.

 

For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current  production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the  New England Vegetable Management Guide. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

 

Cheers,

 

Vic, Scott, Ava, Katie, and the rest of the VEPART Team and Collaborators

 

Pest	Crop	Observations
Swede midge	Brassicas	Really beginning to pick up, especially in collards, broccoli, and red russian kale
Spotted Wing Drosophila	Blueberries and Raspberries	SWD is being seen at its highest levels in several years in Vermont.
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes	CPB populations are very spotty this year. On some farms we are seeing high pressure, while others seemed be relatively untouched.
Spinach/Beet leaf miner	Spinach, Swiss Chard, Beets	We are seeing some leaf damage in beets
Imported cabbage worms	Brassica crops	ICW damage is extensive in almost all brassicas.
Potato Leafhoppers	potato and beans	We are seeing major outbreaks in potatoes this past week.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	LM adults are being seen in very high numbers in our traps. The third flight is looking like it will be a formidable population.
Squash vine borer	Winter and Summer Squash	We are seeing significantly fewer numbers of SVB
Squash Bug	Winter and Summer Squash	Squash bugs are high in most areas and continue to be an issue in susceptible crops.