Category: Question of the Week
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Question of the Week – Wheel Bug
What is this mean-looking critter? The wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) is one of the most recognizable assassin bugs. It may be a mean-looking critter with a scary family name, but the wheel bug is beneficial. This unique insect is named after its gear-like “wheel” along its back. As one of the largest assassin bugs, it…
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July Grower Spotlight – Coosaw Farms
Where is Anna Sara visiting this week? Anna Sara is visiting a farm that was founded in 1983 during an agricultural depression by a man with a big vision. Mr. Bradley O’Neal and his wife, Louise, wanted to build a long-lasting legacy that would outlive the family and benefit the public by providing flavorful, nutritious,…
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Question of the Week – Brown Rot
What’s going on with this peach? This peach is completely covered with brown rot (Monilinia fructicola). Brown rot is one of the most significant diseases of peaches, plums, and nectarines. As the fruit is consumed by the fungi, it shrivels up into what’s known as a “mummy”. Mummified fruit falls to the ground and remains…
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Question of the Week – Japanese Beetle
Which insect caused the feeding damage to this collard leaf? While this chewing-type damage looks similar to caterpillar feeding damage, it was actually caused by a Japanese beetle. The hind end of the culprit is visible below. Japanese beetles are active and easy to find right now, feeding on a range of plants from roses…
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Question of the Week – Phytotoxicity
What caused the spots on these watermelon leaves? These mysterious brown spots were observed in several fields that had recently been treated by an airplane. At first glance, the small brown lesions resembled symptoms of a foliar disease. However, several observations suggested a non-pathogenic cause. The spots were only found in fields that had received aerial applications. Within affected fields, the…
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Question of the Week – Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar
Which of these two photos shows a caterpillar? Who knew that looking like poop could save your life? The orangedog (or giant swallowtail) caterpillar is a master at disguise, as witnessed in this photo. The photo on the right shows the caterpillar larvae, while the photo on the left shows bird feces. Not only does…
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June Grower Spotlight – Dorr Farms
Where is Daniel visiting this week? Dorr Farms is a family-owned produce farm in Gable, SC. Owners Maynard and Marie Dorr started the farm in 1996 by building two turkey barns and raising poults for Prestage Farms in Cassatt, SC. In 1999, Maynard started a one-acre garden, and then in 2001, Greg Harvey, a former…
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Question of the Week – Bird Damage
What happened to these blueberries Humans aren’t the only things that love blueberries. Birds treated these berries like a buffet. Birds are one of our biggest pests in blueberries. It is pretty common to find fruit with the skin torn and part of the flesh removed. Damage seems to be worse towards the top of…
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Question of the Week – Guttation
What causes these water droplets to form around the margins of these cantaloupe leaves? This interesting occurrence is known as guttation. Guttation is a biophysiocochemical and physiological phenomenon exhibited in many members of both the plant and fungi kingdoms. The root word “gutta” is Latin for drops and is commonly known as “leaf teardrops”. It is an accurate depiction of the “water” welling up in the plant and seeping from the tips, edges or…
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Question of the Week – Pineberry
Why is this strawberry white? A strawberry that isn’t red? Meet the pineberry. Pineberries (Fragaria × ananassa) may look unusual, but they’re closely related to the strawberries we all know and love. In fact, they share the same genus, though they are considered different species and types altogether. The modern pineberry traces its roots back…
