Thank you Gene. This is abbreviated:
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are increasing around SW Florida and have reached serious levels in places with nymphs and pupae present in some fields but populations are still way below last spring.
Thrips
Growers and scouts report that thrips are blowing everywhere around SW Florida and note that
populations can vary greatly between fields and often even within one field – one end of field may be
clean and other end have over 10 per bloom.
Aphids
Cabbage aphids are showing up in some crucifers around South Florida. Around SW Florida, aphids are enjoying the dry weather and populations are increasing in many places. Scouts report that some days it seems there are winged aphids blowing everywhere.
Spidermites
Growers and scouts report that spidermites are becoming more common around SW Florida and have
been sprayed in several places.
Leafminer
Around SW Florida, growers and scouts report that leafminers are hit and miss depending on location.
Worms
Around Immokalee, growers and scouts report worm pressure remains consistent with mostly southern armyworms, also some beet, fall, loopers, melonworms and a few pinworms in some locations.
Powdery Mildew
Growers and scouts report that with drier conditions powdery mildew is starting to move in on several watermelon fields around Southwest Florida. Scouts report finding lesions on rinds in some locations. Powdery mildew is high in squash and is showing up in some older pepper as well.
Fusarium
Fusarium is widely present on tomato and watermelon around SW Florida and appears to be increasing in severity in many places. Both Fusarium crown rot and race 3 is being reported in tomato. In watermelon, vines are exhibiting classic fusarium symptoms beginning with one runner wilting along with some yellowing and vascular staining of vines.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew has been showing up on a wide variety of crops around South Florida including basil,
crucifers, cucurbits and lettuce. Growers and scouts report that drier conditions over the past few weeks seems to have slowed disease progress.
Late Blight
Late blight has been around SW Florida for some weeks on both tomato and potato but has not emerged as a significant factor this season.
