VEPART Pest and Scouting Report

Hi all,

This week we are primarily seeing the transition of pest populations as they move into new life stages or begin to build toward

The most important of the new findings are reltated to potatoes:

• Potato Leafhoppers have been officially identified within Vermont. The two incidents are related to beans, though PLH does have an extensive host range including soybeans, potatoes, alfalfa, etc.
• Colorado potato beetles eggs have been hatching in all of the potato plantings that we’ve been monitoring. Most populations are in the early stages (1^st and 2^nd instars) of their larval development. With the warm and dry temperatures that we’ve been seeing, the impact of those little red larvae can be significant and will only increase in severity as the season progresses. Generally, the early larval stage is most susceptible to chemical controls.

Some other important notes:

Diamondback Moths and Imported Cabbage worms are being seen in various brassica crops. Larval numbers are minimal from our scouting but that may not be the case everywhere. Check on the underside of leaves and rib-lines of brassica leaves for the green camouflaged larvae. The adults of ICW are also known as “Cabbage Whites”, as they are day-flying white butterflies. Diamondback moths are small moths, one of the smallest moth pests of brassicas, that flutter up from the canopy when disturbed.  

Striped cucumber beetles are in full force in most squash and cucumber plantings. 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. Information the specifics of the trap-crop systems may be found here.

Thanks to all of the growers that have reached out with there own questions and pest scouting information. All information and questions help us to better serve the needs of the VVBGA community.

 

 

Pest	Crop	Observations
Colorado Potato Beetle	Potatoes	Most populations in the region are now in the early stages of larval development. This is both the most damaging stage for the crop, as the larvae can feed extensively and the most susceptible stage for the beetle to chemical controls.
Flea Beetle	Most all brassica crops	We continue to see large populations of flea beetle. We are especially seeing sustained populations in cooler regions of the state in the Connecticut River Valley.
Imported cabbage worms Diamondback moth	Brassica crops (Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, etc.)	Cabbage whites are flying and laying eggs. We are now seeing larvae. Diamondback moth are also being found in brassicas in both adult and larval stages.
Leek moth	Garlic	Larvae are being found in modest numbers feeding on scapes in hard neck garlic and many of those larvae are currently transitioning to pupae. We expect that the next flight will be very soon.
Potato Leafhoppers	Alfalfa	We have official reports of PLH in beans within Vermont. They will likely persist and cause harm in other crops as the season progresses.
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash/Cucumber	Beetles are being seen and reported in numerous cucurbit crops. Numbers are becoming substantial and damage is significant, especially in cucumbers and C. maxima varieties of winter squash.
Spinach/Beet leaf miner	Spinach, Swiss Chard, Beets	We continue to see leaf mining, but eggs are few and far between. It looks like the most recent generation is mostly in the larval mining stage or pupating in the soil.
Tarnished plant bug	Strawberries	We are seeing a high incidence of tarnished plant bugs  in the region, especially in strawberries. Cat-facing and other types of strawberry deformation from the “sting” of the bug has been seen.