Orius insidiosus, also known as the minute pirate bug, is native to North America and a beneficial insect (Figure 1). They are generalist omnivores, feeding on other insects and pollen. Minute pirate bugs belong to the Order of true bugs — Hemiptera — in the family Anthocoridae. Orius insidiosus can be found in a wide range…Read more about Insect Spotlight: The Minute Pirate Bug – A Key Predator[Read More]
Vegetable Crops - General
Harvest season is easily one of the busiest and craziest times of the year. Crops are being harvested, packed, shipped, and sold against a backdrop of perishability, weather, and ever-changing markets. Harvest and postharvest handling are also critical times for food safety. Handling of the crop by workers, transporting of produce, and aggregating the crop…Read more about Food Safety Considerations for Postharvest Handling of Produce[Read More]
Welcome to the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH), Purdue Extension’s exclusive newsletter for people in the business of growing vegetables. The past two weeks were packed with field days. The Purdue Fruit and Vegetable and the Purdue Small Farm Education field days were well attended, 90 and 73, respectively. This issue includes our insect and weed…Read more about From the Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Time is running out to register for the annual Purdue Small Farm Education field day! July 25, 2024, at the Purdue Student Farm, West Lafayette, IN. The deadline to register is July 22nd at 12:00 p.m. ET. Register here: Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day The program is now available. Download HERE. SF2024_FIeldDay_Demo_Schedule SF2024_FIeldDay_Demo_Descriptions Contact…Read more about Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day, July 25, 2024[Read More]
Time is running out to register for the annual Fruit and Vegetable Field Day July 18, 2024, at the Throckmorton/Meigs Horticulture Farm, Lafayette, IN. Registration ends on July 15th at 12:00 p.m. ET. Register here: Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day The program is now available. Download HERE. Fruit and Veg Field Day 2024_Agenda FINAL_page1…Read more about Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day, July 18, 2024[Read More]
The Clearspring Produce Auction is located just 2 miles south of US 20 in Clearspring Township in the Heart of the LaGrange-Elkhart Amish Settlement. It is within easy driving distance of the towns of Shipshewana, Topeka, Emma, and LaGrange. Produce is sold 3 days a week throughout most of the growing season (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday),…Read more about Clearspring Produce Auction Update[Read More]
Thrips, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, and whiteflies are common pests of specialty crops that are often misidentified. Whether it’s tomatoes or squash, it’s important to know the differences between these insects and what it means to see them on or around your crops. Below, we provide some information and diagnostic tips to identify each of these…Read more about Some Commonly Mistaken Insect Pests[Read More]
I know what you’re thinking: this is an insect spotlight, but you are writing about spiders! They are not insects! Well, you are correct. They are not insects but rather Arachnids. However, they are closely related, studied by Entomologists, and play an important role in arthropod food webs, so bear with us. Hopefully, this article…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Spiders – An Overview Of Their Role In Agricultural Systems[Read More]
Common names: Yellow nutsedge, yellow nutgrass, nut sedge, chufa, earth almond, northern nutgrass Latin names: Cyperus esculentus L. Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family) General Description Perennial sedges are among the most troublesome weed species globally across agronomic crops, horticultural crops and turfgrass. Because nutsedges look like grasses (Figure 1), they are often referred to as “nutgrasses”….Read more about Weed Spotlight: Yellow Nutsedge[Read More]
The remnants of Hurricane Beryl brought much-needed rain to the state, although some areas experienced excessive totals. In addition, sporadic power outages were reported as a result of wind gusts exceeding 30 mph. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) volunteer network once again proved essential, with observations ranging from just under 0.4 inches…Read more about Remnants of Hurricane Beryl Bring Relief and Challenges to Indiana[Read More]