Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist; jwhalen@udel.edu
Lima Beans
We are starting to find the first spider mites in dry land fields. Dimethoate and bifenthrin are labeled for spider mite control in lima beans. Controls are only effective if treatments are applied before populations explode.
Melons
Continue to scout all melons for aphids, cucumber beetles, and spider mite. With the recent hot weather, we are finding an increase in spider mite activity. The threshold for mites is 20-30% infested crowns with 1-2 mites per leaf. Acramite, Agri-Mek, bifenthrin, Danitol, Oberon, Portal and Zeal are labeled on melons for mite control. Be sure to read all labels carefully for rates and restrictions since some are restricted to only one application as well as ground application only.
Peppers
As soon as the first flowers can be found, be sure to consider a corn borer treatment. Depending on local corn borer trap catches, sprays should be applied on a 7-10 day schedule once pepper fruit is ¼ – ½ inch in diameter. Be sure to check local moth catches in your area by calling the Crop Pest Hotline (instate: 800-345-7544; out of state: 302-831-8851) or visiting our website at: http://ag.udel.edu/extension/IPM/traps/latestblt.html. You will also need to consider a treatment for pepper maggot. Since beet armyworm moths have already migrated to our area, be sure to watch for small beet armyworm since larvae can quickly cause defoliation.
Potatoes
Continue to scout fields for Colorado potato beetle and leafhoppers. We have seen an increase in leafhopper populations and low levels of aphids have also been found. Controls will be needed for green peach aphids if you find 2 aphids per leaf during bloom and 4 aphids per leaf post bloom. This threshold increases to 10 per leaf at 2 weeks from vine death/kill. If melon aphids are found, the threshold should be reduced by ½.
Snap Beans
Continue to sample all seedling stage fields for leafhopper and thrips activity. We have seen an increase in leafhopper activity this past week. As a general guideline, once corn borer catches reach 2 per night, fresh market and processing snap beans in the bud to pin stages should be sprayed for corn borer. Sprays will be needed at the bud and pin stages on processing beans. Additional sprays may be needed after the pin spray on processing beans. Since trap catches can change quickly, be sure to check our website for the most recent trap catches and information on how to use this information to make a treatment decision in processing snap beans after bloom (http://ag.udel.edu/extension/IPM/traps/latestblt.html and http://ag.udel.edu/extension/IPM/thresh/snapbeanecbthresh.html). Once pins are present on fresh market snap beans and corn borer trap catches are above 2 per night, a 7 to 10-day schedule should be maintained for corn borer control.
Sweet Corn
Continue to sample all fields from the whorl through pre-tassel stage for corn borers, fall armyworm and corn earworm. A treatment should be applied if 12 to 15% of the plants are infested with larvae. Since fall armyworm feeds deep in the whorls, sprays should be directed into the whorls and multiple applications are often needed to achieve control. The first silk sprays will be needed for corn earworm as soon as ear shanks are visible. Be sure to check both blacklight and pheromone trap catches since the spray schedules can quickly change. Trap catches are generally updated on Tuesday and Friday mornings (http://ag.udel.edu/extension/IPM/traps/latestblt.html and http://ag.udel.edu/extension/IPM/thresh/silkspraythresh.html). You can also call the Crop Pest Hotline (in state: 1-800-345-7544; out of state: 302-831-8851).