Pest Control
Spotted lanternfly hits northern, southern Indiana
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was found in late July in Huntington, Indiana. This federally regulated invasive species is a serious new pest that harms plants by slowing their growth and reducing fruit production, especially in... more »
MSU Extension to host its first blueberry field day
The Michigan State University Extension blueberry team is hosting its first field day on Aug. 24. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville, Michigan.... more »
USDA expands funding of produce as medicine programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is using $8 million to support “prescription” programs that pay for fresh fruits and vegetables to improve the health of consumers. The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) is part... more »
Funding for spotted lanternfly treatment available for New Jersey counties
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has announced that reimbursement funding is available for all New Jersey counties for treatment of the spotted lanternfly. The funding amount can be as much as $15,000 and possibly... more »
Ridgefest updates industry on Michigan apple, cherry research
As old apple orchards are removed to make way for more valuable cultivars, apple replant disease can be an issue causing early decline of trees planted into old orchard ground. Replant disorder occurs when new... more »
Tiny wasps could add to anti-SWD pest defense plans
Collaborating researchers recently released tiny wasps in selected West Coast locations hoping they’ll establish and help control the spotted-wing drosophila fruit fly (SWD). Vaughn Walton, an Oregon State University entomologist, said he doesn’t expect the... more »
UGA releases parasitic wasp to control SWD
In a quiet field of abandoned blueberries and shrubby brush in south Georgia, Cera Jones released hundreds of tiny parasitic wasps into the thicket and watched them fly away, following their natural instinct to search... more »
Pest, disease controls keep Michigan blueberry growers busy
An online survey of Michigan blueberry growers confirmed the biggest challenges in 2021 involved insect control, with nearly 22% of respondents listing it as the top issue. But disease management challenges were quickly cropping up... more »