Populations of striped cucumber beetles continue to remain high. Muskmelon and cucumber growers should continue to monitor and spray as needed to avoid transmission of the pathogen that causes bacterial wilt of cucurbits. Wilt symptoms are showing up on melons throughout the state at this time, with greater prevalence in the southern counties and less…Read more about Striped Cucumber Beetle[Read More]
Rick Foster
Professor
Department of Entomology
Area(s) of Interest: Pest Mgmt. Vegetable and Fruit Crops
Rick Foster's website
Department of Entomology
Area(s) of Interest: Pest Mgmt. Vegetable and Fruit Crops
Rick Foster's website
We are again seeing a lull in pheromone trap catches of corn earworms. However, I caution sweet corn growers to remain vigilant in checking their traps. Populations can increase rapidly, especially if carried north on storm fronts from the Gulf Coast. It is also important to watch the development of the field corn around your…Read more about Corn Earworm[Read More]
In years past, the European corn borer was the most important pest of sweet corn, as well as being a pest of peppers and other vegetables. Since the advent of Bt field corn, the overall population of corn borers has been dramatically suppressed, so far that we often forget about it being a pest of…Read more about European Corn Borer[Read More]
After a brief lull in pheromone trap catches, we have resumed catching earworm moths all around the state. Although most of the counts are relatively low (less than 10 per night), remember that for early planted sweet corn that silks before the neighboring field corn silks, the threshold for treatment is 1 moth per night….Read more about Corn Earworms[Read More]
So far it appears that populations of striped cucumber beetles appear to be low to moderate in most areas. The often cool and/or wet weather may be suppressing their activity currently, so be prepared if we get a period of warm, dry weather. Remember that cantaloupes and cucumbers are most susceptible to bacterial wilt, so…Read more about Striped Cucumber Beetles[Read More]
On May 29, 2015, the EPA issued a proposal to protect bees from acutely toxic pesticides. As stated in the announcement, “EPA is proposing to prohibit the application of pesticides that are highly toxic to bees when crops are in bloom and bees are under contract for pollination services. These restrictions would prohibit application of…Read more about EPA’s Proposal to Protect Bees[Read More]
I have received calls about seedcorn maggots in melons and have seen wireworm damage in my research plots in Vincennes. Seedcorn maggots are usually associated with cool weather since the adult flies will not lay their eggs near melons plants when the soil temperature exceeds 70°F. So the cool weather we have had this past…Read more about Seedcorn Maggots and Wireworms[Read More]
2015 marks the 40th year of my career as an entomologist and I still am surprised on a regular basis by how insects behave. I put out a corn earworm pheromone trap on May 14 and immediately caught 7 moths that night. Over the next three nights, I caught 36 moths. Typically, the few earworms…Read more about Corn Earworms[Read More]
Striped cucumber beetles are emerging from their overwintering habitat in southern Indiana. This pest can damage cucurbit crops in several ways. One that I saw this week is that they can kill young transplants by their direct feeding. Of more critical concern usually is their ability to transmit the bacterium that causes bacterial wilt of…Read more about Striped Cucumber Beetles[Read More]
It’s early in the growing season, but I am already receiving calls about aphids on melons. We had lots of problems with aphids in 2013 and not very many last year. Particularly at this time of year, I’m recommending Assail® for aphid control on melons for several reasons. First, it does an excellent job killing…Read more about Aphids on Melons[Read More]