Managing Mites in a BMSB World For several decades, apple growers in Indiana and elsewhere in the Midwest have used a highly effective system to manage European red mites that is based on conservation of the predatory mite, Amblyseius fallacis, along with timely applications of either preventive or rescue miticides. The rationale behind this approach[Read More…]
Ricky E Foster
Professor
Department of Entomology
Area(s) of Interest: Pest Mgmt. Vegetable and Fruit Crops
Department of Entomology
Area(s) of Interest: Pest Mgmt. Vegetable and Fruit Crops
I am still catching significant numbers of codling moths in my pheromone traps. That means that they are still mating and laying eggs on fruit. Even though you may be well into the harvest period, don’t forget that those later varieties still need to be protected from codling moth. Don’t forget to pay close attention[Read More…]
We just completed a new publication that will assist fruit and vegetable growers in protecting pollinators while still managing their insect pests. The title is “Protecting Pollinators in Fruit and Vegetable Production.” It can be found at https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/POL-2/POL-2.html. There are two companion publications in this series, “Protecting Pollinators in Home Lawns and Landscapes” and “Protecting[Read More…]
Spotted wing drosophila continue to plague raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and grape growers. I have had some reports of poor control. There are a number of reasons that control of any insect may be poor. If you are not getting the level of control you expect, here are a few things to consider. Is your sprayer[Read More…]
Populations of spotted wing drosophila continue to increase. As best I can tell, numbers are not at the devastating levels that they were a couple of years ago, but there are still plenty around to cause very serious injury to small fruit. Raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry growers should be on a regular spray program at[Read More…]
This pest has been extremely common in many locations this year. They can cause defoliation of a number of fruit crops and can be especially devastating to young trees, so they need to be controlled to prevent losses. They also like to feed on most of the small fruits, early maturing varieties of apples, and[Read More…]
Mites continue to be a concern for both fruit and vegetable growers. We are just now at the historical peak population time for European red mites. Fruit growers should be scouting their more susceptible blocks regularly for the next few weeks. The thresholds for treatment increase as we get later in the season. See https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-258/E-258.html[Read More…]
I continue to catch low numbers of codling moths in my pheromone traps. As I explained in a previous FFF article, in the lower Midwest, we don’t have distinct generations. Out moth catches seldom go down to zero, so there is always a threat for codling moth. Apple growers should be sure that they are[Read More…]
Japanese beetles have emerged and are actively feeding on our fruit crops. This pest, which used to be the primary insect pest of most small fruits, is no longer the serious pest it used to be, but can still cause problems in localized areas. Small fruit growers who are spraying for SWD control will likely[Read More…]
Both the timing and the weather is right for outbreaks of European red mites right now. Apple growers should be scouting their most susceptible varieties or blocks now. If you find problems, you should scout your entire orchard. There is a good chance that the infestation does not encompass your whole orchard, so only spray[Read More…]