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Vegetables
Volume 61 Number 9 Date 06/23/2016


SQUASH VINE BORER - Moths have been observed around pumpkins, zucchini and winter squash in Dane, Grant and La Crosse counties since June 10. Growers of these vine crops should begin checking susceptible plants for flat, brown eggs deposited at the base of stems once the moths are noticed. Control is required as soon as the eggs are found to prevent the larvae from boring into the vines. Gardeners may remove the eggs by scraping them off with a fingernail. Covering plants with row covers or netting to prevent egg deposition and placing yellow pheromone-baited sticky traps around plantings may also help to reduce SVB problems. A conventional insecticide or kaolin clay applied to the plant bases as a weekly spray during the three- or four-week egg laying period can provide protection if the sprays thoroughly cover the plant stems and are applied repeatedly to assure good control.

IMPORTED CABBAGEWORM - Moths are very active in gardens and egg laying has intensified. Damage caused by ICW is very conspicuous and the larvae are generally easy to find, making control of this insect relatively easy to accomplish in gardens and smaller plantings. For larger commercial cabbage crops, larval infestations should be assessed on a weekly basis by examining 25-50 randomly-selected plants (depending on field size) and recording the percentage of infestation. A plant is infested if eggs or caterpillars are found. Control decisions should be made based on a threshold of 30% infestation in the transplant to cupping stages and 20% infestation from the cupping to early head stages.

POTATO LEAFHOPPER - Development and reproduction has accelerated with warmer temperatures in the past two weeks. Counts thus far have not justified treatment, but numbers are approaching the economic threshold of 1.0 per sweep in 6-11 inch alfalfa and 2.0 per sweep in alfalfa taller than 12 inches. This observation suggests populations are likewise increasing in vegetable hosts such as snap beans and potatoes.

RED TURNIP BEETLE - This red and black beetle was noted in Adams, Monroe and Wood County alfalfa fields on June 22. Red turnip beetle is an occasional pest in the Central Sands area of the state. Hosts include broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, radish and turnip, but hoary alyssum and yellow rocket are thought to be the primary food plants. Reports of damage to home gardens are infrequent, except in high population years.

-- Krista Hamilton, DATCP Entomologist