{"id":13369,"date":"2026-06-12T13:49:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T17:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/highmoor\/?p=13369"},"modified":"2026-07-15T11:06:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:06:56","slug":"strawberry-ipm-newsletter-no-5-june-12-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/highmoor\/2026\/06\/12\/strawberry-ipm-newsletter-no-5-june-12-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Strawberry IPM Newsletter No. 5 — June 12, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strawberry Harvest Begins in Southern Maine<\/h3>\n

Pest Pressure Moderate; Look Out for Fruit Rots, Drosophila and Leafhoppers<\/h4>\n

Situation<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"People
People enjoying pick your own strawberries at Pikes in Farmington , ME; photo credit David Handley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Early varieties in southern Maine are showing some ripe fruit this week, and some growers will start spot picking for stand sales. It looks like the season may be a couple of days early in some spots, but mostly right on time. Overall crop quantity and quality look very good. Insect and disease pressure remain moderate, but growers should continue scouting for tarnished plant bug, spider mites, leafhoppers and foliar diseases.<\/p>\n

Two-spotted spider mites:<\/strong> Mites continue to be present in most fields, but predator species were also observed this week, and in most cases should be given a chance to proliferate. After harvest, the renovation process may reduce mite populations. Any controls should wait until after the new leaves emerge later in the summer and mites are observed infesting them.<\/p>\n

Spotted wing drosophila<\/strong> (SWD) can be a major problem in strawberry fields, especially late in the season. Typically, this pest does not build up to damaging numbers until late in the summer, but it can infest fields earlier if conditions are conducive. Fruit become soft, have no shelf life, and small, white larvae can be found within the flesh. Be on the lookout for this problem throughout the harvest season. If found, management of this pest can be achieved through sanitation and pesticide applications. For updates, visit our SWD Alert page on the Highmoor Farm website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Potato<\/a>
Potato Leafhopper – Adult and Nymph, photo by Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Potato leafhoppers:<\/strong> These small, bullet-shaped insects feed on plant sap from the undersides of leaves, causing the leaves to become curled, stunted and yellow-streaked. Symptoms are often first noticed in new strawberry plantings and may look like herbicide damage. Leafhoppers will also infest older plantings and a variety of vegetables, flowers and fruit crops. To scout for leafhoppers, brush the leaves of the plants with your hand. The small, whitish adults can be seen flying off the plant. Examine the underside of some injured leaves. Look for small, light green leafhopper nymphs. They are about 1\/16 inch long. When touched, they will crawl sideways in a crab-like manner. Controls for potato leafhoppers include Assail\u00ae, malathion, carbaryl or Provado\u00ae.<\/p>\n

Gray Mold:<\/strong> A reminder that if a field receives more than an inch of rain or overhead irrigation before harvest, another protective fungicide application should be considered. Consider using a product that controls anthracnose fruit rot as well (see below).<\/p>\n

\"Anthracnose<\/a>
Anthracnose on Strawberry, photo by North Carolina State University<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anthracnose fruit rot:<\/strong> As fruit starts to size up and ripen in fields that are wet from recent rains, be on the lookout for this fruit rot. Anthracnose is favored by warm, humid conditions and can spread rapidly under rainy, wet conditions, especially if puddles remain in a field after the rain. Anthracnose appears as black sunken lesions with wet, orange (and sometimes gray) spore masses in them. The fungus is able to multiply on leaves without visible symptoms, which is why it may appear suddenly and widespread in a field. Fungicide products for gray mold may not be effective for anthracnose. Products including Cabrio\uf0e2 and Abound\uf0e2 can provide good control of anthracnose fruit rot.<\/p>\n

Birds<\/strong>, especially cedar waxwings, are moving into fields to feed on ripe fruit. Only by keeping a near constant presence in the field and eliminating roosting sites can you reduce the damage. Avian Control\uf0d2, a chemical repellent containing methyl anthranilate is registered for use on strawberries. Some growers have found this to be helpful, others have seen little effect. Use the higher rate on strawberries and begin applications before the birds are regularly feeding in the field. Songbirds, including cedar waxwings are protected by law and should not be killed.<\/p>\n

\"Bird<\/a>
Bird Damage on Strawberry, photo by David Handley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bird Damage Prevention for Northern New England Fruit Growers\u00a0<\/b><\/a>is a free online publication offered by the University of New Hampshire Extension.<\/p>\n

Annual Pre-Harvest Checklist for Pick-Your-Own<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s that time again! As harvest approaches, we like to remind you to take a moment and make sure that your farm is prepared to give your customers an enjoyable experience. Take our annual review below!<\/p>\n