Author: Justin Ballew
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Question of the Week – Minute Pirate Bug
What is the tiny critter on this pumpkin blossom? This tiny black and white insect is a minute pirate bug (Orius insidiosus.), also called the insidious flower bug. Minute pirate bugs are beneficial insects and are excellent predators of small soft-bodied pests, such as thrips, mites, aphids, whiteflies, scale, and even small caterpillars. They are…
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Weekly Field Update – 1/21/25
The Weekly Field Updatesare back for 2025! We hope the year is off to a good start for everyone. This week, growers are preparing for the cold and some possible snow/ice in parts of the state. Strawberries are a mixed bag with root rot, crown rot, and Neopest showing up in places. Brassicas are showing…
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2024 Year in Review
We hope everyone had a great Christmas! As another year comes to a close, here is a look back at some of the most notable events and articles from 2024. Have a happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you back in 2025. Weather The weather in 2024 made for a tough year for…
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SC Grower Exchange-December Deep Dive: Vegetable Crop Breeding with Sandra Branham
In this last deep dive of 2024, Justin interviews Sandra Branham, vegetable breeder at the Coastal REC in Charleston. Listen in to hear about the projects that Sandra is working on and why breeding is important to the vegetable industry. Also, listen for Sandra’s favorite and least favorite crops to work on! While you’re at…
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Question of the Week – Lacewing Larva
What is this little critter? This is a lacewing larva, often called a trash bug or garbage bug. They collect insect molts, dead insects, bits of leaf debris, bark, lichens, spider webs, and other material from their environment. The material is woven and tied into a hemispherical mass and carried on their backs. The larvae…
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Weekly Field Update – 12/2/24
We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We finally got some frosts and freezes around the state this past weekend. Fall brassicas are still looking great while cucurbits are officially done. Strawberries are a mixed bag around the state. This will be our last update of 2024. It’s been a challenging year, but we hope…
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Question of the Week – Pomelo
What is this giant fruit at the SE Citrus Expo? Our good friend, Blake Brown, is holding a pomelo (Citrus maxima), which is the largest cultivated type of citrus. At the 2024 Southeast Citrus Expo in Charleston last weekend, Madison Citrus Nursery brought hundreds of species of citrus for attendees to marvel over and taste…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/25/24
The weather has been favorable for fall crop development and greens grown for Thanksgiving are looking great. Some insect and disease issue persist, but have been manageable. Strawberries are variable going into the winter. See details below. Happy Thanksgiving! Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check…
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Question of the Week – Spined Soldier Bug
What is happening to this caterpillar? This caterpillar is being preyed on by a spined soldier bug(Podisus maculiventris). Spined soldier bugs are a beneficial species of stink bug. They are excellent predators of over 90 species of pest insects, including many common caterpillar and beetle pests. Spined soldier bugs can be identified by their pointed…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/18/24
Most of the state received a little more rain this past week. Strawberries are looking good those there are some scattered disease issues. Fall brassicas are looking great and are being harvested now. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest…
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