Crop Production
The Alabama Vegetable IPM program conducts a statewide insect monitoring program as a special service to crop producers. Pest alerts are based on moth counts from sticky wing pheromone traps. However, there is no shortcut to direct crop scouting to detect pest pressure. Producers should monitor insects, keep good records, and develop their own IPM plan suitable for the farm. The following information provides an overview of the insect pest activity in 9 pheromone-trap locations throughout May and June.
Moth Activity Trends
- The US Drought Monitor shows some dry areas in the northern parts of Alabama.
- Fall and Southern armyworms are on the rapid rise. Late-planted vegetable crops may be attacked soon.
- Tomato fruitworms/corn earworms are much more active compared to tobacco budworms.
- Cabbage looper populations are very high. Any early planted brassicas will be under pest attack.
- Pest activity is increased by drought. Economic damage is increased by stress on the plants.
- Scout crops closely under stressful growing conditions. Target improving the overall plant health.
- Watch for flash drought. These are short, 2- to 3-week droughts that can cause rapid increase in pest activity, which is bad on vegetable and fruit crops where economic thresholds are extremely low or zero.
Moth Counts from Sticky Wing Pheromone Traps (May and June 2023)
Species | Season Total | Average |
---|---|---|
Beet armyworm | 142 | 3 |
Fall armyworm | 128 | 2 |
Southern armyworm | 156 | 3 |
Yellow-striped armyworm | 38 | 1 |
Cabbage looper | 335 | 6 |
Soybean looper | 120 | 2 |
Tomato fruitworm | 140 | 3 |
Tobacco budworm | 43 | 1 |
Lesser cornstalk borer | 3,465 | 65 |
Squash vine borer | 404 | 8 |
Special thanks to Olivia Fuller, David Lawrence, Jacob Kelley, Chip East, Eric Schavey, Makayla Gothard and Susie Kim for contributing to the data collection from multiple locations. Supported by funds from the USDA-NIFA BFRD, SARE Research & Education/PDP, CPPM/EIP, OREI, and ADAI Specialty Crops Block Grant Programs.
IPM Resources
For major insect pest and disease images, download the Farming Basics mobile app. The app now has information on organic and conventional insect control under the Insect tab. The app information is general IPM guidelines that was aggregated from various Alabama Extension publications. Also, people can use the app to subscribe to the Alabama IPM/Sustainable AG newsletter and contact a commercial horticulture regional Extension agent. Use the following IPM resources for insecticide choices related to specialty crops:
- Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook
- Home Garden Vegetable: Insect Control IPM Guide
- Organic Vegetable IPM Slide Chart
- Urban Farm IPM Slide Chart
Video Resources
The Alabama Beginning Farmer playlist on the Alabama Extension YouTube channel have several IPM videos. One of the new field IPM videos, Integrated Pest Management (Overview), provides an overview of all three levels of pest management.
- Quick Overview of Conventional Insecticides
- Bioinsecticide 101
- Botanical Pesticides
- Basics of Organic Insecticides
- Insect Predator 101
- Tomato Insect Pests 101
- How to Manage Yellowmargined Leaf Beetles in Brassicas
- Cabbage Insect Pest 101
- Spider Mite Outbreak During Drought
- Cowpea Curculio Management – Part 1
- Cowpea Curculio Management – Part 2
- Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle IPM