Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is the most economically significant insect pest in berry production in the southeast. They survive all year round, in every landscape, and the presence of just one egg, larva, pupa, or fly can render an entire harvest unmarketable. Scout early and manage this pest for a productive year.
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Georgia weather is predictably unpredictable, bitter cold one week and balmy the next. And for that reason, growers are being urged to pay close attention to the weather over the coming months, and be prepared to utilize irrigation for frost protection and potential dry conditions as we move into spring. We are currently in an ENSO neutral year, and weather patterns in those years are more variable and can often create issues with…
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Although blueberry gall midge has historically been referred to as a rabbiteye problem, recently it has been reported to be a concern in some southern highbush fields. The majority of the highbush infestations were primarily reported in older blocks and those surrounded by rabbiteye blueberries. The southern highbush varieties that infestations have been reported include Emerald, Farthing, Meadowlark, and Star. If you haven’t already done so, start monitoring and if you observe gall midge larvae or adults in your orchard, implement management strategies immediately.
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