Report for 7/30/21

Hi all, 

As always, just a reminder that you can always find the full report at  go.uvm.edu/pests . 

This week, with harvest season for many vegetables starting to ramp up, we are seeing a bit of a transition in pest pressure within the field.  Some insect pests are waning while some diseases beginning to be seen in higher frequency.  

Some of the highlights for the week are below:

• Spotted wing drosophila eggs are beginning to be seen in higher frequency in blueberries. Typically, in this region, SWD infestations begin to make themselves noticeable with building population numbers within fruit. Over the next couple of weeks, we expect to see increased damage. You can see an interactive SWD trap map here. 
• We are seeing the overwintering generation of leek moth adults in some traps in Vermont. This suggests that any leek moth damage that you are seeing in your alliums will soon become static with most of the populations no longer in the feeding stage.
• Thrips damage has increased significantly in onions across the region. Many farmers are reporting high amounts of onion thrips damage. à a side note of appreciation for Carl from Goranson farm for compiling the strategies being employed by growers on the VVBGA listserve for onion thrips. We are considering selecting the most frequently used controls and applying for funding to test their relative efficacy. If any growers might be interested in participating in such a study, please reach out to Scott Lewins ([log in to unmask]) or Vic izzo  ([log in to unmask])
  
  
• Swede midge damage in many brassicas is being found in high frequency on most farms, especially those that have a history of swede midge infestations.  The tell-tale "blind heads" and scaring can generally be found at the center of the plant. Also, any strange growth like twisted leaves and stunted growth may also be a sign of infestations. 

Some of the major diseases that are cropping up in the region are : (click on the highlighted links for fact sheets)

· Cucurbit downy mildew risk is still considered high in the region with a new confirmed occurrence in Litchfield, CT. Vermont growers are also at high risk of pathogen spread throughout most of the region. See: Downy Mildew Forecast

· Basil Downy mildew is being found in basil plantings within Chittenden county. The disease can quickly infect many plants once it is established within a planting. Be on the lookout for yellowing leaves and gray/black spores on the underside of leaves. 

· Septoria leaf spot continues to be a problem on many farms and is being reported in high frequency in the region from many tomato growers.  

· Powdery mildew in both onions and cucurbits is cropping up on many farms. This is no surprise with the high frequency of rain that we've been experiencing. 

Pest & Disease Walk for Commercial Growers  

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 - 3:30PM TO 5:30PM 

Join UVM pathologist Ann Hazelrigg, and entomologists Vic Izzo and Scott Lewins, for a field walk to learn about, identify and discuss solutions for this year’s pests and diseases, including integrated pest management (IPM) techniques. This workshop will be hosted at the certified organic mixed vegetable farm Bear Roots Farm in Williamstown and is geared toward commercial organic vegetable growers

This workshop is free to attend for commercial growers and all BIPOC attendees. Pre-registration required.

 For more information, check out:

https://nofavt.org/events/pest-disease-walk-commercial-growers-0

Victor Izzo, Ph.D.

Lecturer & Educational Coordinator 
Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative

Department of Plant and Soil Science & Environmental Studies

University of Vermont

http://www.uvm.edu/agroecology/vic-izzo-ph-d/

[he/him/his pronouns - why]

cell: (802) 999-6906

“a great deal of chaos in the world occurs because people don't appreciate themselves" ~ Chogyam Trungpa 

“there is a crack in everything. that is how the light gets in" ~ Leonard Cohen