By Andi Anderson
As summer heat intensifies, orchards and vegetable fields are seeing a rapid rise in pest activity. In apple orchards, both potato and white apple leafhoppers have arrived, causing visible damage. Potato leafhopper feeding results in bronzed leaf edges and “V”-shaped damage, while white apple leafhoppers leave whitish stippling. Scouting helps differentiate these pests, as they show different colours and movement patterns.
Woolly apple aphids, green apple aphids, apple sawfly, and spotted tentiform leaf miners are also active. Codling moths and oriental fruit moths are entering their second generations, especially in southern areas. Growers should scout for these pests, along with apple maggot, mites, and stink bugs.
Beneficial insects like lacewings and lady beetles are helping control aphids and mites. Farmers are encouraged to scout visually and use traps or beat sheets to identify helpful predators.
In small fruits, slugs are damaging strawberries, especially after a wet spring. Molluscicide baits, not insecticides, are recommended for slug control. Meanwhile, raspberry season has begun, and growers must watch for spotted wing drosophila activity in brambles and blueberries.
In vegetable fields, damping off has been confirmed. This disease, caused by soil fungi like Rhizoctonia and Fusarium, targets young seedlings in wet, cool conditions. As soils warm, disease risk drops. Promoting plant vigour and managing soil moisture are key to prevention.
Cucumber beetles have emerged in large numbers and may spread bacterial wilt. Other pests—flea beetles, aphids, imported cabbage worm, and Colorado potato beetles—are also common now.
High tunnel growers report increased aphid and spider mite activity due to dry heat. Miticides are needed to control mites, as insecticides can worsen infestations by harming natural predators.
Farmers should stay alert and apply pest-specific solutions to protect crops throughout the season.
Photo Credit: fruit-pexels-aiselin82
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables