There are so many different kinds of insects, but we often focus on the ones that cause damage (for obvious reasons). However, there are many beneficial, predatory insects you can be on the lookout for in your fruit plantings! These insects can be seen throughout the season, attacking aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, mites, and even scale…Read more about Do you know your beneficial insects in fruit plantings?[Read More]
Insect Management
I hope the growing season is going well for all fruit producers! For this issue, I am sharing a quick update on what we’re seeing in pheromone-baited monitoring traps placed in orchards at the Purdue Agricultural Center in Lafayette, Indiana (Tippecanoe County), as well as orchards of collaborating Indiana growers (thank you!) in Tippecanoe and…Read more about Updates on Codling moth, Oriental fruit moth, and Spotted-wing Drosophila captures in pheromone-baited monitoring traps[Read More]
Some of our readers may have small, backyard orchards, or even just a couple of fruit trees (or vines, canes, and bushes!), that you enjoy for the aesthetics and also the fruit! If you’re like me, you’re thinking that having just a few fruit trees to manage won’t be so hard, and the effort will…Read more about Choosing insecticides to manage insect pests in your home/backyard orchard[Read More]
Growing strawberries under high tunnels can extend the harvest season, provide protection against rain, frost, and disease, and improve overall yield and fruit marketability. Pest pressure, however, can be higher on protected culture strawberry compared to the open field. This is especially true for small, soft-bodied pests such as spider mites, aphids, and thrips. Even…Read more about Research Update: Insect Pest Management for the High Tunnel Strawberry Production System[Read More]
We all know that growing and protecting delicious fruit is a challenge! Whether you’re producing tree fruits, stone fruits, berries, or drupes, all kinds of insect pests are out to exploit the fruits of your labor. Despite our best efforts, sometimes a few insect pests slip under the radar and all you can do is…Read more about Diagnosing fruit insect pests using signs and symptoms[Read More]
The plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) is a small “snout” beetle (also known as a weevil – one of my favorite beetle groups!) that will feed on apples, peaches, pears, plums, and cherries. Both adults and larvae have chewing mouthparts and can damage fruits; adults by feeding and laying eggs in newly set fruit and larvae…Read more about Tips for managing plum curculio in tree fruit[Read More]
It’s that time of year to make sure you have all your fruit insect monitoring tools on hand and ready to place out in the orchard. Whether you’re already experienced, or just learning how to use insect monitoring tools, they can be big a help in detecting the presence and activity of important pest insects…Read more about Updates on new monitoring tools for fruit insects[Read More]
Happy spring to everyone! I’m sure you are preparing your fruit systems for a productive season! I am looking forward to warmer weather and my favorite time of the year: when fruits and vegetables are fresh and abundant in the Hoosier heartland. Last year, I focused my fruit insect articles on what to look for…Read more about Provide your feedback on fruit insect topics for 2023[Read More]
After a long cold winter under protection, nothing signals spring like the first blooms on strawberry. ‘Tis the season in our high tunnels and thus time to provide a few reminders/updates on how to protect the development of these early fruits from insect pests. The first thing you want to do is examine the health…Read more about Protecting Flowering Spring Strawberries from Insect Pests[Read More]
A Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) population was found in Huntington, Indiana. This is the second population in the state in addition to what was found in Vevay, Indiana in July 2021. It is possible for SLF to be anywhere in Indiana. At this time of year, the insects are at their most recognizable stage as colorful…Read more about Spotted Lanternfly detected in Northern Indiana[Read More]