LATEST POSTS
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Question of the Week – Tachinid Fly Eggs
What is on the head and back of this leaffooted bug? The oblong, white objects on this leaffooted bug (Leptoglossus oppositus) are eggs of a parasitoid fly (Trichopoda pennipes), which will hatch and consume the leaffooted bug. Usually when we discuss parasitoids in pest management we are referring to small wasps, but flies in the…
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And So It Begins…Neopest is Starting to Show Up.
By Guido Schnabel It is early October 2024 and as feared and expected, we are starting to see Neopestalotiopsis symptoms in strawberry fields. The leaf in Fig. 1 (left) displays leaf necrosis and was collected from a South Carolina farm October 4, 2024. Necrosis on leaves can be caused by many things, but if you…
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Weekly Field Update – 10/14/24
As cleanup from Hurricane Helene continues in the western parts of the state, crops are looking great elsewhere. Strawberries transplants are arriving on farms and planting has begun in many places. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest episode of…
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Storm Damage from Around the State
Hurricane Helene made her way through the Palmetto State 2 weeks ago. Many areas of the state suffered significant damage, and some are still dealing with power and water outages. Here is a look at crop damage from across the state. If your farm suffered a crop loss, reach out to your local extension agent…
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Question of the Week – Southern Blight
What are these brown pellets found on the base of a tomato plant? These brown pellets are sclerotia from the soil-borne fungus Athelia rolsii, commonly called Southern blight. The photograph was taken from a tomato plant displaying wilting with a good fruit loading. Sclerotia are survival structures that allow the fungus to survive in the…
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Weekly Field Update – 10/7/24
Parts of the state continue to clean up damage from Hurricane Helene. Apples are being harvested in the Upstate and strawberry planting is just beginning. Disease is becoming more prevalent from the recent rain and heavy winds. See details below. Check out the 2024 SC and GA Strawberry Production Webinar for some timely tips for…
The South Carolina Grower 