Vegetable IPM Update 9-26-2012

-Kris Holmstrom

• Sweet Corn
• Peppers
• Tomatoes - Late Blight Active in New Jersey
• Pumpkin & Winter Squash - Downy Mildew Present
• Cole Crops

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Derecho Disaster Recovery Loans Available

Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Open September 25 in Mays Landing

Home and business disaster recovery loans are available from the US Small Business Administration for damages from the June 30, 2012 derecho. SBA provides low interest disaster loans to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

To further assist residents, a disaster loan outreach center has been established at the Hamilton Township municipal building, 6101 Thirteenth Street, Mays Landing. The center will open on Tuesday, September 25 and remain open through Thursday, October 4. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM; closed Sunday.

Applications are available online at www.sba.gov or through the county web sites at www.aclink.org and www.ReadyAtlantic.org. For further information residents may contact SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service at 800-659-2955.
- Linda Gilmore
gilmore_linda@aclink.org

N.C. State creates mobile ‘Pack ‘N Cool’ produce trailer

"KANNAPOLIS, NC (8/21/2012) – N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) has developed a new mobile cooling unit for farmers. The five-by-eight-feet refrigerated trailer – called the “Pack ‘N Cool” – is designed to keep fruits and vegetables at ideal temperatures during transport to and from farmers markets or as they’re harvested in farm fields."

While the test unit will barely handle a pallet of fresh produce cartons, this trailer conversion should be ideal for a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables heading to a farmers' market. If you don't already have a dedicated refrigerated delivery truck, or could use a smaller unit but don't want to tie up your pick-up, this might be an option for you. Besides, the equipment and construction doesn't need to be limited. You can convert any size trailer (or cold box) using their directions. The full story about the unit with lots of pictures can be found here, and a complete set of construction plans can be downloaded here.

--Rick VanVranken

Pepper Weevil Advisory

-Joe Ingerson-Mahar

We have now three, widely separated farms in south Jersey that have infestations of pepper weevil. And, at least two additional farms are probably infested. Pepper weevil is not a migratory pest but has to be transported into New Jersey, and as yet we do not know how the weevil gets here.

Pepper weevil adult

Be vigilant with peppers and look for signs of this pest.

The kudzu bug may be headed our way

The kudzu bug is another invasive insect from Asia that has the potential to become a serious crop pest.  It was first found in the Atlanta, GA, area in 2009, and has now spread into six states: Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia.  It is not a stinkbug but is related to them and looks similar to our native stinkbugs but bulkier.  The hind end of the bug is squared off giving it a boxy appearance.

The kudzu bug does feed on kudzu and its feeding appears to have an ill effect on kudzu, making it a beneficial insect.  However, it does feed on other legumes such as wisteria, soybeans and potentially other leguminous crops.  It has been shown to reduce soybean yields as much as 47% in Georgia by sucking plant sap from the leaf veins with its beak.  There is a close association of the bug with kudzu, but it can reproduce on wisteria as well.  The question is how much of a problem will the kudzu bug be without the presence of kudzu.  New Jersey does have a few sites infested with kudzu, but the state has a lot of wisteria.

One thing is certain, the kudzu bug population can spread rapidly.  The adults are strong fliers and are attracted to white objects, including homes and vehicles.  According to a fact sheet from North Carolina the kudzu bug can hitch-hike on vehicles, probably enhancing its ability to move about.  Given its range expansion so far, it is likely that we’ll be finding our first bugs in another year or two.   Like the brown marmorated stinkbug, the kudzu bug also overwinters in homes.

Most likely we will be having more information to share in another year.  For more detailed information on this potential pest go to http://ipm.ncsu.edu/cotton/insectcorner/PDF/Kudzu%20Bug%20Handout_Field%20Crops.Final.pdf

Joe Ingerson-Mahar

This week in the Plant & Pest Advisory:8-15-2012

Plant & Pest Advisory - Vegetable Crops Edition (printable pdf):

• Vegetable Crops IPM Update

Kristian Holmstrom

• Preparing Your Farm Food Safety Plan: Harmonized Audit SOP & SSOP

Meredith Melendez & Wes Kline

• Weekly Weather Summary

Keith Arnesen

Subscription information for the Plant & Pest Advisory 

Tomato pinworm in New Jersey

Tomato pinworm is an unusual pest of tomatoes and eggplant for New Jersey as it is typically found in the southwestern states. It can be transported on transplants but is probably capable of spreading to new locations with weather fronts. Tomato pinworm was found in Somerset and Morris Counties in fields and high tunnels. This week an infestation was found in a field in Cumberland County. This would suggest that we have a state-wide infestation. Undoubtedly these infestations are in part due to the unusually warm winter and spring we experienced. Pinworm cannot overwinter in New Jersey.

The pinworm moth is a small, greyish-white with small dark, insect that lays it eggs singly on the underside of leaves of the tomato. When the eggs hatch the caterpillars begin feeding within the leaves creating a blotch leafmine. This will be a papery appearing section of the leaf where the caterpillar has eaten the tissue between the upper and lower leaf cuticles. As the caterpillars grow they leave the leafmine and invade fruit, attacking the calyx and stem area but also borrowing into the rind anywhere. The tunnels are short and occur almost entirely in the rind. The holes appear similar to tomato fruitworm (corn earworm) damage, but the pinworm holes are much smaller. Mature caterpillars may create a mine under the cuticle of the fruit. The caterpillars will drop to the soil and make loose cocoons to complete their development to the adult stage. There are multiple generations a year.
Pictured is a medium sized pinworm caterpillar, about 1/4 inch long. Mature caterpillars are white or yellow with purple markings and are about 3/8 inch long.

In areas where tomato pinworm is a common threat, mating disruption and biological control methods can be used to help minimize damage. In New Jersey, insecticides are the only reliable means of control. The 2012 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations includes several materials that should provide control. For more information on tomato pinworm go to: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/ag295/html/tomato_pinworm.htm, and, http://www.ent.uga.edu/veg/solanaceous/tompinworm.htm

Joe Ingerson-Mahar