SPIDER MITE POPULATIONS HIGHER IN SOME FIELDS Tarnished Plant Bug and Clippers Still at Very Low Levels Situation: Insect pests remain at very low levels this week, but high mite populations have become more widespread around the state. Foliar diseases also remain at low levels, but this may change with anticipated wetter weather late this […]

TWO SPOTTED SPIDER MITES REACH DAMAGING LEVELS Very Low Numbers of Tarnished Plant Bug and Clippers Situation: While visiting strawberry fields around the state this week, I was impressed with how well growers had protected strawberry flowers from the hard frost event last week.  Most of the damage I saw was actually from an unexpected […]

CHALLENGING FROST SEASON THREATENS CROP Insect Pest Situation Very Quiet, Disease Pressure Increasing With Irrigation Events Situation: A frost event this week hit many strawberry fields just as they were coming into bloom, which is the stage at which they are most sensitive to cold temperatures. Fortunately, there was plenty of warning about the event, […]

2023 STRAWBERRY PEST MANAGEMENT SEASON BEGINS Vegetable and Berry Growers Twilight Meeting at Stevenson’s Farm, Wayne, June 6, 5:30 p.m. Situation: Strawberry development this spring started off near normal, but recent hot weather has pushed blossom and emergence slightly ahead of normal.  Fortunately, most fields were still under mulch when we had a warm spell […]

Strawberry IPM Newsletter No. 5 – June 17, 2022 HARVEST BEGINS IN SOUTHERN MAINE Gray Mold, Anthracnose Fruit Rot Concerns in Ripening Fields Situation: Harvest of early varieties is underway in southern Maine. Cooler weather predicted for next week may slow the maturity of later varieties, which could help extend the season, but hopefully won’t […]

STRAWBERRY IPM NEWSLETTER No. 4  – June 10, 2022 “Click on photos to enlarge” SOUTHERN MAINE GETS READY FOR HARVEST Gray Mold a Concern with Recent Rains   Situation: Some ripe fruit are showing in southern Maine, and some spot picking is underway.  Late varieties still have some bloom, although growers are reporting that the […]

Strawberry IPM Newsletter No. 3 – June 3, 2022  Click on photos to enlarge. INSECT PRESSURE REMAINS LOW IN MOST FIELDS Managing Gray Mold Should be a Priority During Bloom. REMINDER: Spring Growers’ Twilight Meeting – Bell’s Farm, Auburn – June 7 at 6 pm.  Situation: Cool, mostly dry weather has strawberries ripening at a […]

Strawberry IPM Newsletter  No. 2- May 27, 2022 Click on photos to enlarge TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITES ARE FOUND IN MANY FIELDS Strawberry Clippers and Tarnished Plant Bug Numbers Low in Most fields Spring Twilight Meeting on Tuesday, June 7, at 6 pm at Bell’s Farm, 1552 Riverside Drive in Auburn Situation: Warm weather has kept […]