Hi all,
With last week’s cold snap and the frost that was experienced throughout the region, many growers have been focused on addressing frost damage. As mentioned by Vern a few days ago, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture is looking to collect data about the extent of crop loss or damage to obtain federal disaster payments for farmers. So, if you have experienced losses associated with the frost, please fill out this short form here. Any data that is collected will support the agency’s efforts.
Pest Week in review
With the low temps, the farm sites that we have been monitoring have held off on planting much outside. However, we are seeing some early season pests emerging and feeding on what is in the field and on wild host plants. Case in point, Colorado potato beetle (CPB) adults are being found on wild solanums in and around fields patiently waiting for those cultivated solanums to arrive. 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. Similarly, some growers are using some interesting early season trap and burn strategies that are reportedly showing some success (shout out to Mink Meadow Farm). If you would like more information on this technique you can check out Seth Bent’s short presentation from the recent winter VVBGA webinar series here. (25:30 minute mark)
A few other highlights from the past week:
Leek moth: We are beginning to see 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. 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.
Spinach/beet leafminer: Though we are yet to see any signs of leafminer here in Vermont, there are reports of damage (in chard) coming out of Massachusetts. As with most leafminers, pre-emptive or timely action is recommended. Once the larvae get into the leaf they are very well protected from any control strategies. Last year we began to see leafminer eggs in Burlington around May 20th, so I would be looking for their white eggs on the undersides of any chenopods (e.g. beets, chard, spinach, etc.) right now. Insect exclusion netting can be a very effective method for reducing leafminer damage if applied before they arrive. Rotations are also an important cultural control, as leafminers pupate and overwinter within the soil. If you are seeing foliar damage, remove and destroy leaves showing active “mines” to reduce future pressure.
Aphids in High Tunnels: There have been reports of significant aphid pressure in high tunnels throughout Vermont. This is a constant struggle, but luckily growers have the great support of Margaret Skinner, Cheryl Sullivan, and the rest of the team at the UVM Entomology Research Lab to assist in developing the best IPM programs for your high tunnel management. For more information on their innovative strategies (e.g. banker plant systems), you can visit their High Tunnel IPM resources here.
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 & slewins@uvm.edu
| Pest | Crop | Observations |
| Cabbage root maggot: | Brassicas | We are seeing damage in various early season brassicas including radishes. But we suspect that as warmer temps arrive next week, root maggot pressure should begin to subsied |
| 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. |
| Spinach leaf miner | Spinach | There are reports from Massachusetts that leafminer eggs are being found on various chenopod leaves, particularly chard |
| 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 and on a couple of farms. |