The South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline shares vegetable crop and disease management information from University of Florida, IFAS, or the Florida Cooperative Extension Service
Powdery Mildew
In Central Florida, Powdery mildew of cucurbits (Podosphaera xanthii) is at moderate levels and increasing.
South West Florida reports indicate that powdery mildew is high in squash, and still low in watermelons and cucumbers.
In the East Coast area of Florida, Powdery mildew of cucurbits remains significant on mature squash plantings.
In the Homestead area, Powdery mildew of cucurbits continues to increase in squash and watermelon, with an overall moderate rating.
Gummy Stem Blight
In South West Florida, Gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae) incidence is fairly low in watermelons but has increased recently.
In the Homestead area, new incidence of Gummy stem blight has been reported in watermelon and squash. Overall, pressure remains low to moderate.
Cucurbit Viruses
Reports from Central Florida indicate that Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) and Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) are at low levels.
In South West Florida, scouting reports indicate Cucurbit yellows stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and CuLCrV are high. Some locations also have siginificant incidence of Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV).
In the Homestead area, new incidence of mosaic virus has been reported in squash and there are reports CuLCrV at moderate levels in the area.
Whiteflies
Whiteflys are vectors of viruses including SqVYV, CuLCrV, and CYSDV.
In Central Florida, whitefly pressure is low to moderate depending on the crop and location. In Central Florida, whitefly pressure is very high on all crops. Some older fields have a moderate to high level of nymphs developing.
In the Everglades Agricultural Area of Florida, whitefly pressure is low to medium, but expected to increase over the next several weeks.
In the East Coast of Florida, low whitefly pressure was reported in multiple crops.
High levels of whitefly were reported in several vegetable crops including squash in the Homestead area.
Thrips and Caterpillars
In South West Florida, thrips have been on the rise, overall pressure is moderate but there are locations with high pressure and lots of melon thrips (Thrips palmi) causing some foliar and fruit scaring. Melon thrips were reported in several vegetable crops including cucumbers and watermelon.
In the Homestead area, Rindworm damage was reprted from melonworms and pickworms in watermelon.
In South West Florida, spidermite pressure has increased rapidly and overall populations are high. Colonies have been building in several crops, including tomato, watermelon, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, cantaloupe, potato, pepper, and beans.
