Category: Question of the Week
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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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Question of the Week – Virus
What caused the green patterns and discoloration on this pumpkin? The circular patterns and discoloration on this pumpkin are the result of a viral infection. Viruses are common in fall cucurbit crops in South Carolina. Most cucurbit viruses are transmitted by aphids, though one, squash mosaic virus, is transmitted by cucumber beetles. Viruses commonly cause…
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Question of the Week – Luffa Gourd
What crop is this? This is a luffa gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca). A similar species, (Luffa acutangula) is sometimes also called Chinese okra because of its okra-like shape and pronounced ribbing of its fruit. Both are members of the cucurbit family. Luffas may be harvested for eating while still tender, though the species pictured is very…
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Question of the Week – Joro Spider
What kind of large, colorful spider is this? This is the invasive joro spider (Trichonephila clavata). Joro spiders are native to East Asia and were first found in Northern Georgia in 2014. Since then, they have been spreading across the Southeast and are common in the Upstate of South Carolina and making their way into…
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Question of the Week – Sandblasting
Why does this tomato appear scarred on one side but normal on the other? This tomato is scarred on the side facing the prevailing winds. It was found on the outside row, next to a dirt drive row and an open field. It had also not rained in quite a while, so it was very dusty and…
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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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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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Question of the Week – Southern Purple Mint Moth
Where did all the webbing and frass on this rosemary come from? This is from the Southern purple mint moth caterpillar (Pyrausta laticlavia). This caterpillar has been seen on rosemary throughout the Charleston area for over 10 years. Commonly called “rosemary webworm,” this pest can affect the foliage on over half the plant and likely…
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Question of the Week – Puss Caterpillar
What is this hairy-looking thing? This is a puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis). While they may look huggable, puss caterpillars are one of the most venomous caterpillars native to the United States. Hidden amongst the hairs that cover the insect’s body are rows of venomous spines. Each spine is hollow with a venom gland at its…
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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…
The South Carolina Grower 