Author: Justin Ballew
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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…
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Fungus-Based Biological Control Agents: How Useful Are They for Strawberry Disease Management?
From Guido Schnabel, Jeffrey A. Hopkins, Jim Faust, and William Gura Biological control agents (BCAs) are being promoted for disease management in fruits, nuts, and vegetables but very little data is available about their efficacy especially when it comes to preharvest field performance. The Schnabel lab has investigated yeast-like fungi and true yeast BCAs, namely…
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Question of the Week – Timber Rattler
What kind of snake is this and is it poisonous? This is a timber rattler (Crotalus horridus), also known as a canebrake rattler. While snakes are not poisonous, this species is venomous. It is one of 6 species of venomous snakes in South Carolina. Timber rattlers can be found throughout most of the state and…
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Weekly Field Update – 9/3/24
The weather has turned dry over much of the state. Muscadines are coming to harvest as planting begins for some fall crops. Strawberry growers are still scrambling to make arrangements for the rapidly approaching planting season. See details below. 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 – Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
What is this critter found on a rose of Sharon leaf? This is a juvenile brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)(Halyomorpha halys). The BMSB is a native to Asia and was first reported in South Carolina in 2011. It is a pest of numerous agricultural crops including peaches, tomatoes, corn, and beans. They are also a…
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Weekly Field Update – 8/26/24
Strawberry growers are scrambling to find disease-free plants. Late-season disease and insect pressure is picking up and muscadines and other fall crops are nearing harvest. See details below. Researchers from universities across the Southeast are seeking to expand the number of crops on the MyIPM app for Vegetables. In order to do this, feedback is…
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2023 Crop Stats: Bulb Onions, Citrus, Grape and Cherry Tomatoes
In fall of 2023, Extension Agents throughout South Carolina surveyed growers on specialty crop acreage for the year. The goal was to identify the counties of production, acreage, and observable market prices for the year. In this round of surveys, data was collected for 14 fruit and vegetable crops. Bulb onions, citrus, and grape and…
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Question of the Week – Armyworms
What is causing this lawn to turn brown even though it has received over 5 inches of rain so far this month? This lawn is infested with fall armyworms (Spodotera frugiperda). In just a few days, the armyworms ate all the leaf blades, leaving little more than just stems. While multiple species of warm season…
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Dramatic Neopestalotiopsis Disease in Strawberry Nurseries
From Phil Brannen (UGA Plant Pathologist) and Guido Schnabel (Clemson Plant Pathologist) Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot is already making headlines for this coming 2024-2025 season. As many strawberry producers are aware, some nurseries are already “ringing the alarm bells”. There is a major pass through to strawberry nurseries and producers through use of…
The South Carolina Grower 