VPART Pest and Scouting Report

Hi all,

Generally, around this time in season, we start to see the usual suspects showing up, and in some cases, thriving in the fields. This year seems to be a bit slower overall, but in warmer areas like the Burlington region, sightings are definitely picking up.

After a few weeks with relatively few Spinach/Beet leaf miners, we are now starting to see both eggs and mines in chard and beets. If you are scouting for leaf miners, start by checking the undersides of the leaves. Their small, bright white eggs are usually visible in tight clusters. Leaf mines begin as small, transparent tunnels in the leaf tissue and grow larger as the larvae develop. If you are already seeing mines in the foliage, be sure to remove the “infected” leaves from the field before the larvae exit to pupate. This will reduce the size of the second flight. If you have not yet seen any eggs or mines, but have in the past, it might be a good time to consider using insect exclusion netting or row cover.

Striped Cucumber Beetle (SCB) are also starting to appear in greater numbers. While we are still behind last year’s pace, beetle activity is definitely increasing. Keep in mind that SCB shows a strong preference for certain cucurbit species and cultivars. In general, C. maxima varieties such as blue hubbard and summer C. pepo types including zucchini and some summer squash tend to be more highly preferred than C. moschata varieties like butternut and winter C. pepo types such as acorn squash. 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. Our team is currently experimenting with a combination of trap cropping and baited bucket traps to manage SCB. We will keep you posted on how it goes.

Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) adults are actively moving into fields, particularly onto eggplant and potato. So far, we are seeing mostly adults and very few egg masses, which indicates a slower start compared to previous years. One important note about CPB, based on our past work: in New England, CPB often prefers eggplant over most other solanaceous crops, or at the very least shows equal preference to potato. This can pose particular challenges for eggplant, as it tends to grow more slowly and is generally less resilient than potato. For growers with a significant investment in eggplant, prioritizing protection from CPB early in the season may be especially important.

Some other quick notes from around the area/region:

• The first leek moth flight seems to be over in the Champlain Valley. Most growers are beginning to larval feeding, particularly in garlic scapes.
• The first swede midge capture just across the river in Essex County, NY
• Three-lined potato beetle are out and about in Maine, probably here in VT too.

Finally, I want to acknowledge and extend heartfelt gratitude to our summer research scouts: Julian Wise, Emmy Juenger, Jill White, and Natalie Redfield Gale. These budding 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 farmers market. If you do, give them a high five! These scouting reports would not be possible without their tireless effort and sharp eyes.

A big shout out as well to Last Resort Farm, Khelcom Farm, and The Farm Upstream for generously allowing our team to scout and monitor on their land. Your collaboration makes this work both possible and useful.

You can now access our website via this link: https://go.uvm.edu/vpart. Also, you can now directly submit any pest sightings or questions to our team. Direct emails from the VVBGA listserve are acceptable as well. As always, you can access our pest reports on our website or by directly navigating to the scouting blog.

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

Cheers,

vic

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. We are seeing some mines in warmer areas
Striped Cucumber Beetle	Squash/Cucumber			Beetles are beginning to be seen in multiple areas
Flea Beetle	Broccoli/ Kale			Pressure seems relatively modest in most areas
Three-lined potato bug.		Tomatillos	They are being reported in Maine, likely are up and searching for tomatillos here in VT as well
Leek Moth		Onions/Garlic	We are seeing larval feeding, mostly in garlic scapes. Our traps are clear, so the first flight is over in the area.

 

Hi all,

The rainy and cool weather continues to dominate throughout the region and has shaped pest populations here in Vermont. Many pests are persisting that, in previous years, may have waned in their damage, while others seem to be arriving later than usual.

Some of the more persistent pests this season are the root maggots, particularly seed corn maggot, cabbage root maggot, and onion maggot. These pests are currently being reported and/or observed on various farms and seem to be causing significant damage. Seed corn maggot is the earliest to emerge in the season, while onion maggot is the latest (see degree day benchmarks below. According to degree-day models, onion maggot is currently at 50% peak emergence or less in Vermont. Fortunately, with the upcoming forecast of rising temperatures, we’re hopeful we’ll begin to transition out of this high-pressure period. Typically, warmer and drier soils reduce the viability of maggot eggs.

   Degree-Day Thresholds for Maggot Pests

Similar to the root maggots, slugs and isopods (a.k.a. rollie pollies) are also thriving in these cool, wet conditions. These non-insect pests require very high humidity to survive—which is nearly impossible to avoid right now. Sluggo is a highly effective organic option for slug control, and some growers report that it can help reduce isopod pressure as well.

We’ve received several questions about allium pests over the past week.

Allium Leaf Miner (ALM): This pest hasn’t historically been a major issue in Vermont, as it typically emerges in late April and enters its “summer hibernation” by early June. Since the fly spends most of the summer (June–September) in the soil as a pupa, it usually isn’t a major concern for onion growers. However, it can affect scallions or leeks later in the season. A telltale sign of ALM is a line of small white dots on the foliage.

Leek Moth: As mentioned last week, the leek moth flight appears to be ending, meaning most of the population is likely in the egg stage on alliums. We’ll be actively scouting garlic over the next couple of weeks for signs of caterpillar feeding and will report as soon as we see any. Typically, leek moth does not cause serious yield losses in onions or garlic, but it can be problematic if brought into storage on the foliage. Topping onions or garlic is a relatively effective, low-cost method to reduce their impact. Leeks, however, can be more significantly affected.

Finally, with potato planting season underway for many farmers, we wanted to share some recent research findings on Colorado potato beetle. In our delayed planting trials, we observed increased yields and reduced damage with plantings in late June to early July. The graph below shows results from a fully replicated trial at the UVM research farm. On-farm trials are currently underway, and we’re always looking for volunteers—or hearing from folks already trying some version of “delayed planting.”

Be on the lookout of the following pests:

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

• Onion thrips are being found in MA, and a few farms in the warmer areas of VT
• Beet and Spinach Leaf miners are around in MA
• Cucumber beetles are in high tunnels and likely will be moving around quite a bit this week.

You can now access our website via this link: https://go.uvm.edu/vpart. Also, you can now directly submit any pest sightings or questions to our team. Direct emails from the VVBGA listserve are acceptable as well. As always, you can access our pest reports on our website or by directly navigating to the scouting blog.

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.
Onion maggot.	Alliums	We have gotten reports that onion maggots are being found in some onion plantings in Chittenden Coutnty
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	First flight is waning, so much of the populations are likely in the egg stage.
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,

We’re back…

With UVM graduation behind us, our scouting and monitoring team is out setting up traps and scouting the crops that are out on our scouting farms. This season, we’re focusing on farms across three counties (Chittenden, Addison, and Washington) to give us a more representative sample of the region. This scouting and monitoring will again be supported by our soon arriving summer fellowship students. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to provide these weekly reports.

Also, there are a few updates related to our webpage. First, we have officially dropped the E in VEPART, as we do more than entomology! You can now access our website via this link: https://go.uvm.edu/vpart. Also, in an attempt to improve communication with our team, we have added a couple of web forms on our webpage that will allow growers to directly submit any pest sightings or questions to our team. Direct emails from the VVBGA listserve are acceptable as well. As always, you can access our pest reports on our website or by directly navigating to the scouting blog.

Week in review

Ok, now on to the pests…Given the consistent cooler temps and wet conditions, our pest season has been relatively slow in comparison to last year. But some pests do tend to thrive in cooler spring conditions and their pressure can persist longer, as we are likely seeing this season.

Root maggots (e.g. cabbage maggot, seed corn maggot, etc.) are one of the suites of pests that do well under cooler conditions and seem to be thriving this spring. Once the overwintering generation emerges, these flies begin laying eggs at the base of their preferred crop hosts. According to NEWA’s degree day models,  overwintering populations (in most areas of the state) of cabbage maggot flies have reached roughly ~75-80% emergence in most areas of the state. Adult females are actively laying eggs at the base of brassica crops. With cool temps sticking around, this pressure is likely to continue. If possible, cover your smaller seedlings with row cover or insect exclusion netting, this can make a big difference in reducing impact.

Flea beetles: Flea beetles are making their way into brassica crops here in Burlington and across the southern part of the state. Similar to root maggot flies, row covers for small seedlings can be an effective strategy for reducing their impact on the sensitive plants.

 

Spinach/beet leafminer: We haven’t seen or heard of any outbreaks in Vermont yet, but reports of damage are coming in from the Hudson Valley. As with most leafminers, timely or pre-emptive action is key. Insect exclusion netting is a very effective method if applied before they arrive. The bright white leafminer eggs are relatively easy to spot on the undersides of spinach and chard leaves. Once the larvae get into the leaf they are very well protected from any control strategies. If you are seeing foliar damage, remove and destroy leaves showing active “mines” to reduce future pressure. Be sure to reduce any weeds, particularly lambsquarters, that might act as an alternative host for the pest.

Leek moth: Adults from the overwintering population are no longer showing up in most of our baited traps. Eggs are likely developing on alliums, but so far, we haven’t seen larvae or feeding damage in garlic or recently transplanted onions. Just a heads-up, leek moth larvae love garlic scapes. If scapes are important for your farm, be sure to keep an eye on these updates as we approach scaping 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, using our new submission form and/or directly emailing me at vizzo@uvm.edu

Pest	Crop	Observations
Cabbage root maggot:	Brassicas	We are seeing damage in various early season brassicas including radishes.
Leek Moth	Onions/Garlic	Adult moths from the emerging overwintering population are no longer showing up in baited traps. Eggs are likely developing on alliums, however, we are yet to  see any larvae or feeding damage in any alliums.
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	Primarily being seen in tunnels in the Hudson Valley, though we presume that they will soon be active in fields in Vermont.

 

 

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