Tag: Question of the Week
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Question of the Week – Cold Damage
What is wrong with the leaves of this Lacinato kale? This kale is showing symptoms of cold damage on the older leaves. Lacinato kale seems to be a little more sensitive to the cold than curly varieties like Winterbor or Darkibor. Luckily, the new growth is fine, meaning the plant will grow out of this…
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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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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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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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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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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…
The South Carolina Grower 