Cucumber beetles are here

Stripped cucumber beetle, illustration by Jessica MacDonald

Striped cucumber beetles have made their annual debut in the Annapolis Valley.  These pests are problematic in many ways.  Feeding damage can stunt plants, and when flowers are predated, it can reduce fruit set and yield.  Cucumber beetles also vector bacterial wilt.  Scarring on fruit by adult beetles reduce the marketability of the crop. 

Newly emerging cucurbit plants are particularly susceptible to stunting and bacterial wilt, while older plants can withstand up to 25% defoliation.  Early season control is essential with this pest, and it is important to scout your fields regularly. 

For more information on cucumber beetle biology, beneficial insects, and organic management, check out Managing Cucumber Beetles in Organic Farming Systems on eXtension.
 
Please click here for Perennia's Pest Management Guides for Cucumbers and for Melons.  For Perennia's Pest Management Guides for Pumpkin and Squash, please click here.  Insect netting can also be an effective control option for this pest, but netting must be removed at flowering for pollination to occur.

Hurricane Arthur Damaged Vegetable Crops

Hurricane Arthur left considerable damage to vegetable crops.  Injury to the crops would depend on the intensity of the wind in the area.  Severe wind caused leaf defoliation, leaf tearing and shredding, stem breakage, stem bruising and wounding.

Effects of Arthur on vegetable crops and recovery of the crops will depend on a number of factors including the type of vegetable, stage of growth, weather conditions immediately after the storm, and prevalence of disease organisms.  Growers should begin a fungicide program immediately to prevent any disease spread as continued hot weather poses a risk of increasing disease incidence.

Defoliation reduces leaf area and plants will need to grow new leaves from buds (for vegetables such as vine crops where this is possible).  It may take from a week up to several weeks for crops to regrow the leaf area lost.  This may cause delays in maturity and lower yields.  The more mature crops were, the heavier the yield losses that can be expected.  

In order to speed up plant recovery, additional nutrients (mainly nitrogen) will be needed for plants to recover.

Early Blight (Alternaria solani) of Potato

Primary damage to potatoes by early blight is attributed to premature defoliation of the potato plants, which results in tuber yield reduction.  Initial infection occurs on older leaves with concentric dark brown spots.  Disease severity is highest when potato plants are injured, under stress or lack proper nutrition.

Please consult the 2014 Potato Crop Weed and Pest Control Guide for information on control options.