Hi all,<\/p>\n
I hope that folks are staying hydrated out in the fields as the unseasonably warm weather has<\/p>\n
As mentioned last week, Colorado Potato Beetle<\/a> (CPB) adults are moving around and we are now beginning to see both egg masses and small larvae. With the recent warm temperatures, these larvae are likely to feed aggressively and develop rapidly. For growers using insecticides, management is generally most effective when targeting smaller larvae, which are typically more susceptible to control measures than larger larvae or adults. It is also important to remember that CPB feeding has the greatest impact on yields when it occurs during flowering and early tuber bulking. Because flowering coincides with the onset of tuber development, protecting plants during this period can help minimize yield losses.<\/p>\n While CPB can affect potato growth throughout the season, the second generation often poses the greatest threat to yield. However, reducing populations early in the season can help suppress subsequent generations and lessen the risk of damaging outbreaks later in the summer.<\/p>\n Swede midge<\/a> adults have been caught in traps throughout the region, and we assume that midges are now active in brassica fields. Recent research and farmer observations have highlighted some important host preferences for this pest. In most cases, swede midge outbreaks can significantly affect broccoli, collards, Red Russian kale, sprouting broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Many curly kale varieties, heading cabbages, and Asian greens tend to be less preferred, although damage can still occur when populations are high.<\/p>\n For growers with large investments in brassica crops, insect exclusion netting remains the most effective non-chemical management option. Ideally, netting should be installed immediately after transplanting or seeding and remain in place throughout head development for heading crops. Once larvae enter the growing point, management options become extremely limited and head development is severely impacted.<\/p>\n Spotted wing drosophila<\/a> has been trapped in Long Island NY and southern NY but we are yet to see any individuals in our traps in Chittenden. We\u2019ll let you know as soon as we see SWD in our traps. For those looking to keep tabs on what is going on in nearby NY, you can always check Cornell Cooperatives Berry Pest Monitoring \u00a0Network.<\/a><\/p>\n If you are looking to set up SWD monitoring traps on your farm, there are two styles: baited sticky card traps and \u201cdrowning\u201d 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other sightings from around the region:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally, I want to acknowledge and extend gratitude to our newest summer research scouts, Eli Wilson, Darius Parker, Ava Kelly, Heather Boggis, Ella Venus, and Abbey Vranjes . These burgeoning entomologists will be doing a lot of the scouting work for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n As always, our website for the scouting reports can be found\u00a0here<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n For detailed management information about these pests, as well as a comprehensive guide to current\u00a0 production and pest management techniques for commercial vegetable crops, check out the \u00a0New England Vegetable Management Guide<\/a>. And, as always feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi all, I hope that folks are staying hydrated out in the fields as the unseasonably warm weather has As mentioned last week, Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) adults are moving around and we are now beginning to see both egg masses and small larvae. With the recent warm temperatures, these larvae are likely to feed … <\/p>\n\n
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\n Pest<\/td>\n Crop<\/td>\n Observations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Colorado Potato Beetle<\/a><\/td>\n Potatoes<\/td>\n CPB larvae are now feeding and defoliating<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spinach\/Beet leaf miner<\/a><\/td>\n Spinach, Swiss Chard, Beets<\/td>\n Adult flies are flying and laying eggs. Though populations seem to be limited<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Striped Cucumber Beetle<\/a><\/td>\n Squash\/Cucumber<\/td>\n Beetle populations are really picking up in most stands of cucurbits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Flea Beetle<\/a><\/td>\n Broccoli\/ Kale<\/td>\n Pressure is consistent but waning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Three-lined potato bug<\/a>.<\/td>\n Tomatillos<\/td>\n They are being reported in region the distribution is spotty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mexican bean beetle\u00a0 <\/a><\/td>\n Beans<\/td>\n Still limited to one or two farms at the moment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Leek Moth<\/a><\/td>\n Onions\/Garlic<\/td>\n We are still seeing larval feeding, mostly in center of garlic and on new scapes. \u00a0\u00a0Our traps are mostly clear, so the first flight is over<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spotted Wing Drosophila<\/a><\/td>\n Berries<\/td>\n Though we have not trapped any in our traps, there have been sightings in Long Island and Southern NY<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Swede Midge<\/a><\/td>\n Brassicas<\/td>\n Midges have been trapped but no damage has been seen.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n