LATEST POSTS
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SC Grower Exchange-September Deep Dive: Neopestalotiopsis in Strawberries
Agent Rob Last chats with Dr. Guido Schnabel, Professor of Plant Pathology with Clemson University, about some new developments with the fungal pathogen Neopestalotiopsis. This is a relatively new disease for strawberry growers in South Carolina. Starting out in Florida, the pathogen has made its way to our state and is an issue not only…
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Downy Mildew Found on Cucumber and Squash in Charleston
By Clemson Plant Pathologist Dr. Anthony Keinath Similar to 2023, cucurbit downy mildew was found at Coastal REC in mid-September, last Friday the 13th, on cucumber and butternut squash transplanted August 15. Interestingly, cucumbers transplanted about 2 weeks ago didn’t have downy mildew…yet. Symptoms on both cucumber and squash means that both strains of cucurbit downy…
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Question of the Week – Leaffooted Bug Eggs
What is on this zucchini stem? These are eggs of a leaffooted bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus) found on a zucchini stem in a field in Charleston. Several species occur in SC that show up in fruiting vegetables. The eggs are laid in a line, sometimes very continuous and sometimes broken up (like here). Leaffoted bugs have…
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Weekly Field Update – 9/16/24
The Pee Dee region is expecting rain from a potential tropical weather system this week. Fall crops are growing well with fairly low disease pressure. Caterpillar populations are climbing in places. See below for more details. Check out the 2024 SC and GA Strawberry Production Webinar for some timely tips for the upcoming strawberry season.…
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Question of the Week – Milkweed Tussock Moth
What is this crazy-looking thing found on butterfly milkweed? This hairy thing is the caterpillar of the native milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle), also called the milkweed tiger moth. Like the monarch butterfly, the milkweed tussock moth lays it’s eggs on milkweed for its larvae to feed and develop on. The hairs on this caterpillar…
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Weekly Field Update – 9/9/24
Conditions are quite dry across the state. Growers continue to prep strawberry fields and muscadines are coming into harvest. Insect isssues persist and viruses are common in cucurbits this season. See details below. Check out the 2024 SC and GA Strawberry Production Webinar for some timely tips for the upcoming strawberry season. The webinar is…
The South Carolina Grower 