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Fruit and Vegetables |
The cold winter and wet spring and summer adversely affected insect populations on fruits and vegetables this year. Thrips and Japanese beetle populations declined from 2002. However there were still some high populations in some areas. Eastern tent caterpillar populations were low on fruit trees this spring, while second generation fall webworms were very high and caused serious defoliation and webbing of sourwood and nut trees in eastern and especially Piedmont North Carolina. Aphids were variable on most crops. And whitefly populations have only recently increased in the field but continue to be a major player in the greenhouse. Colorado potato beetles, cucumber beetles and flea beetles were moderate in most situations. Green June beetles in August and September have been abundant on figs, okra, peaches, grapes and other late summer crops. Grape root borer populations were moderate but were two to three weeks late, as were most crops and their insect pests. Mites were present early on strawberries and watermelons. However the cool temperatures and excessive and frequent rains kept their populations in check. Stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs have been most plentiful in late summer and fall on peppers, eggplant, pecans, okra, tomatoes, etc. Garden fleahoppers have been high in home gardens, and have gone unrecognized and caused considerable damage to beans, Swiss chard, tomatoes, sweetpotatoes, herbs, etc. The damage resembles leafhopper and mite feeding. However, leaves are not curled and browned, as much as they are speckled and contain black spots. Blister beetles continue to be a late season defoliator pest on tomatoes and other Solanceous crops. Foliar worms have been low and constant for the most part. Pickleworms were present in North Carolina in late June, with beet and fall armyworms coming much later in August. Corn earworms and European corn borer have been high on peppers, tomatoes and sweet corn in August and September. Diamondback moths, imported cabbageworms and cabbage loopers were relatively low in numbers. Loopers have increased dramatically since late August. Scale insects and borers on fruit trees have been low. The jury is still out on the soil insect complex. White grubs, white-fringed beetle and wireworms appear to be low, while sweetpotato flea beetle damage is present in some fields at rather high levels.
So what will next year bring! Certainly insects and mites will be present at some places in high numbers. Records and experience will help identify potential pests and their time of occurrence. Reduction of the risk of these pests in most fields will entail the use of some monitoring system, including forecasting and scouting. Several identification guides containing colored pictures exists, by crop. Also colored insect management posters and display sheets are available in printed copy and on web pages. These must be searched and used. Various crop production bulletins, pest fact sheets and IPM manuals and guides exist and will be helpful in the recognition and identification of potential pest problems. This will allow time to take more intensive samples and implement corrective action. Agricultural pesticides are listed in the North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals by host and pest. Various formulations and rates along with specific recommendations are provided. These materials along with on-farm tests and screening of newer reduced-risk pesticides and alternative pest management strategies and tactics (together with pest scouting) will help growers be better positioned to reduce risks, avoid economic damage, and make wise preventive and corrective decisions on pests and their management.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on September 15, 2003 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.