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Vegetables
Volume 58 Number 9 Date 06/27/2013 STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE - Adults are expected to become increasingly active over the southern half of the state by early July. Growers of cucurbits should begin inspecting plants for these yellow and black striped beetles that transmit bacterial wilt and infect cucumbers, melons and squash through feces or contaminated mouthparts. The first symptom of bacterial wilt on cucumber and melon is a distinct flagging of lateral and individual leaves. Early beetle control may be justified in home gardens and larger commercial muskmelon or cucumber operations for populations of 4-5 beetles per 50 plants. EUROPEAN EARWIG - This insect is abundant this year in vegetable and flower gardens, greenhouses and basements, and is likely to remain so for several more weeks. Reports of damage to arugula, beans, lettuce, hostas, marigolds, potatoes and Swiss chard have been received from Dane, La Crosse and Sauk counties. Rainy weather this season is likely contributing to the high populations of this nocturnal, moisture-favoring pest. CORN EARWORM - The pheromone traps near Green Lake, Janesville and Ripon registered another 33 moths in last reporting period, indicating the early migration is still under way. Larvae resulting from June flights such as this one are rarely a problem in Wisconsin, except when large infestations develop in early-planted sweet corn. Low counts of earworm caterpillars are appearing in corn and were noted in Dodge, Green and Iowa counties this week. -- Krista Hamilton, DATCP Entomologist 
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