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Vegetables
Volume 57 Number 19 Date 08/23/2012 FALL ARMYWORM - Moths are arriving in low numbers in southwestern and south-central Wisconsin and depositing eggs in late-maturing corn. The larvae appear late in the season, from mid-July through harvest, and are typically found damaging corn in patches throughout a corn field. Fall armyworms are similar in appearance to the corn earworm larva but can be differentiated by a conspicuous white, inverted Y-shaped suture on the head capsule between the eyes. Corn normally can sustain considerable damage from this pest before control is required. LATE BLIGHT - Home gardens in Adams and Waushara counties are reportedly infected with tomato late blight. This disease can develop rapidly under current weather conditions, and entire plants may decline and die in as few as 7-10 days. Gardeners are advised to monitor plants for signs of infection, including brownish-black watersoaked leaf lesions, dark stem lesions or sunken golden- to dark brown spots with distinct rings on the fruit surface. Removal and destruction of infected plants is required if lesions are noticed. Composting will not generate sufficient heat to kill the pathogen and is not recommended. SPOTTED CUCUMBER BEETLE - Reports and survey observations suggest that populations are higher than normal this season. This insect has been collected consistently from alfalfa and soybean fields since early July, and surveys in corn earlier this month found more than the usual number of beetles. The spotted cucumber beetle may cause cosmetic damage to melons late in the season decreasing market value of the crop, but insecticidal control is rarely needed. --Clarissa Hammond, DATCP Pest Survey Program 
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