SOUTH FLORIDA

VEGETABLE PEST AND DISEASE

HOTLINE
April 30, 2021

Temperatures have been be seasonably warm with most days in the mid-80’s and low-90’s punctuated by
a few cold fronts which dropped temperatures and bought showers. Most areas received 2 or more inches
of rain for the period.

With rising temperatures, insect pressure has been increasing with whiteflies and others reaching
seasonal highs. Sunscald and blossom end rot have caused some issues in a few places. Potassium deficiency is
showing up in some tomato. Scattered hail damage was reported in some East Coast pepper.

FAWN Weather Summary

Date Air Temp °F Rainfall Ave Relative Humidity ET (Inches/Day)
Min Max (Inches) (Percent) (Average)
Balm
4/4 – 4/30/2021 50.23 90.97 2.78 76 0.15
Belle Glade
4/4 – 4/30/2021 50.90 89.46 2.11 80 0.15
Clewiston
4/4 – 4/30/2021 52.12 91.31 1.97 76 0.15
Ft Lauderdale
4/4 – 4/30/2021 55.00 95.00 2.13 71 0.17
Homestead
4/4 – 4/30/2021 49.62 90.01 2.78 78 0.15
Immokalee
4/4 – 4/30/2021 47.57 92.55 2.13 75 0.16
Okeechobee
3/8 – 4/4/2021 47.05 90.30 4.01 74 0.14
“Remember, when in doubt - scout.”
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an Equal Employment Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational,
information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES, SEA GRANT AND 4-H YOUTH, STATE OF FLORIDA,
IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING
The 2020-2021 vegetable season in winding down in South Florida as the season transitions northward to
central Florida and beyond. A wide variety of vegetables are coming to market including cabbage,
cantaloupes celery, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, herbs, kale, peppers, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes,
watermelons, and specialty items. Prices for some like tomato have been soft causing some growers to abandon
fields after 1-2 picks.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates that a weak cold front will stall over Central Florida on
Saturday before dissipating on Sunday. This will allow for some tropical moisture will work into South
Florida this weekend leading to isolated to scattered showers with even a thunderstorm or two over the region.
The highest chance will be over Lake Okeechobee region where the sea breezes and Lake Okeechobee breezes
collide

High pressure will slowly build into South Florida, as a broad low pressure sets up over the eastern
United States. This will allow for a southerly wind flow to set up over South Florida early next week allowing
for both the east and west coast sea breezes to develop and push inland leading to isolated showers and even a
thunderstorm or two to develop each afternoon mainly around the Lake Okeechobee region where the sea
breezes and lake breeze collide.

Highs will remain in the 90s over most areas, except upper 80s to near 90 over metro areas. Heat indices
will be in the 90s over all south Florida with even some interior areas getting to around 100. Lows will be in the
60s, except lower to mid-70s metro areas.

For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at
https://www.weather.gov/mfl/

Insects

Whiteflies

Reports from Homestead indicate that whiteflies number are high in beans, squash, eggplants, and
tomato and TYLCV incidence is high in most tomato fields.

Whitefly numbers are reaching seasonal highs around SW Florida and populations range from moderate
to high depending on location. Counts are especially high in older cucurbit and fruiting vegetables at or
nearing harvest. Some growers report that they are worse than they have ever been while others claim they are
not as bad as last year.

Growers and scouts on the East Coast, report that whitefly pressure remains high in older eggplant and
tomato and note that they have been a challenge to control. Whiteflies are reportedly migrating out of these
crops and putting pressure on nearby fields. Whiteflies are also causing issues in some pepper.

In the Manatee Ruskin area, whitefly numbers are beginning to increase in a number of fields.

Tomato prices have reached low levels causing some growers to back off on spraying.

Management of whiteflies later in the season depends on early suppression of whitefly populations,
growers need to be aggressive with the best systemic materials (Venom, Sivanto Prime, Verimark) early
in the season. As we near the end of the season, growers should destroy their crops after the final harvest to
avoid buildup of pest pressure and protect younger plantings.

Preventative soil applications of either imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, flupyradifurone or

cyanatraniliprole should be used preventatively in tomato and cucurbits.

Efficacy Ratings for Insecticides and Miticides on Tomato

Whiteflies Other pests controlled

Southern Spider
Whiteflies Stinkbugs Leafminer
MOA Active Ingredient Armyworm mites
4A dinotefuran E** G
4A imidacloprid E**
4A thiamethoxam E** G
4D flupyradifurone E**
23 spiromesifen E† E
23 spirotetramat E† G
7C pyriproxyfen E†
28 cyantraniliprole E** E E
1B malathion G*
3A beta-cyfluthrin G* F G
3A bifenthrin G* G
3A esfenvalerate G* G
3A fenpropathrin G* F F
3A lambda cyhalothrin G* F
3A permethrin G* G
3A zeta-cypermethrin G* G F
4A acetamiprid G
9 pymetrozine G†
16 buprofezin G†
21 A fenpyroxiamate G G
4A clothianidin F**
Unk. horticultural oil F† G
Unk. Azadiractin F†
Unk. Soap, insecticidal F†
* OP+Pyrethroids tank mix. † Effective primarily against nymphs ** Most Effective as a
drench. Check labels before using any pesticide.

Proper scouting is essential to manage silverleaf whitefly. Over the years, UF entomologists have developed
usable action thresholds that have been successful for many tomato farmers. However, these thresholds are only
guidelines. Farm managers may modify them to fit their particular situation and expectations.
Silverleaf whitefly thresholds

0-3 true leaves 10 adults/plant*

3-7 true leaves 1 adult/leaflet

NOTE - *If the source of whiteflies is believed to be tomato or melons, where virus is present, the
threshold will be lower!

Field hygiene should be a high priority and should be an integral part of the overall strategy for
managing whitefly populations, TYLCV incidence, and insecticide resistance as growers terminate
plantings. These practices will help reduce the onset of the initial infestation of whitefly, regardless of biotype,
and lower the initial infestation level during the cropping period.

• Disrupt the virus-whitefly cycle in winter by creating a break in time and/or space between fall and
spring crops, especially tomato and watermelon.
• Destroy crops quickly and thoroughly after harvest, killing whiteflies and preventing re-growth.
• Promptly and efficiently destroy all vegetable crops within 5 days of final harvest to decrease whitefly
numbers and sources of plant viruses like TYLCV.
• Use a contact desiccant (“burn down”) herbicide in conjunction with a heavy application of oil (not less
than 3% emulsion) and a non-ionic adjuvant to destroy crop plants and to kill whiteflies quickly.
• Time burn-down sprays to avoid crop destruction during windy periods, especially when prevailing
winds are blowing whiteflies toward adjacent plantings.
• Destroy crops block by block as harvest is completed rather than waiting and destroying the entire field
at one time.

Growers are advised to be alert for volunteer tomato or cucurbits that may be present in row middles and
field margins and in fallow fields as these may be a source of whiteflies and virus.

For more whitefly management tips – see: Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Vectored Plant Virus, and
Insecticide Resistance for Vegetable Production in Southern Florida - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in695

Pepper Weevil

On the East Coast, growers are battling pepper weevil as number peak in many fields.

Around Homestead, pepper weevil numbers are mostly low.

Around SW Florida, pepper weevils are abundant with some older fields hosting high populations and
adults are showing up most younger pepper plantings.

In the Manatee Ruskin area, weevil numbers remain mostly low.

Adult population estimates are best obtained by visual examination and yellow sticky traps. Action
thresholds are one adult per 400 terminal buds or 1% of buds infested.

Insecticides are commonly applied to the foliage at short intervals once buds begin to form. Insecticidal
suppression is feasible, but insecticides vary considerably in effectiveness, and even in the presence of chemical
insecticides some loss commonly occurs. Dr. Dak Seal, Entomologist at UF/IFAS TREC reports that Actara and
Vydate in rotation have given the best control of pepper weevil in his trials.
Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled insecticides for pepper weevil control in
Florida.

Worms

On the East Coast respondents report that worm pressure has picked up in some cucumber.

In the EAA, fall armyworm remain active in corn and growers report steady pressure.

Around Homestead, fall armyworm populations remain high in sweet corn. Beet armyworms are being
found in low numbers on pepper. Melon worm and pickleworm are present in high numbers on cucurbits.

Worm pressure is mostly light to moderate in SW Florida. Growers and scouts report finding mostly
southern armyworms along with a few beet armyworms, hornworms, loopers, melonworms and fruitworms
depending on the crop and location.

In the Manatee Ruskin area, worm pressure is high.

Scouting is extremely important in detecting worms early before they can do significant damage. The
Florida Tomato Scouting Guide indicates a pre-bloom threshold of 1 larva/6plants and post-bloom threshold of
1 egg mass or larva/field.

Fortunately, growers have a wide array of excellent worm control materials at their disposal these days.

Consult the UF/IFAS Vegetable Production Handbook for labeled products.

Diamondback Moth

Respondents in South Florida report that diamondback moths remain active in remaining crucifers
across the area.

Respondents in central Florida report pressure remains “horrendous.”

Pheromone traps are helpful in monitoring adult populations and help predict larval populations 11 to 21
days later. One or more hole per plant is often used as a threshold level but control recommendations should be
based on trap and larval counts, plant growth stage, weather, and natural enemies.

This insect has become increasingly difficult to control and in recent years, resistance to insecticides has
become widespread, and includes most classes of insecticides including some Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)
products. Although several insecticides can provide good control including Avaunt, Intrepid, Lannate,
Proclaim, Spintor and the diamides, rotation of insecticide classes is essential component of resistance
management. Even Bt’s should be rotated, and current recommendations suggest alternating the kurstaki and
aizawa strains.

Protection of crucifer crops from damage often requires application of insecticide to plant foliage,
sometimes as frequently as twice per week. A high pressure (>200 psi) sprayer plus a spreader sticker added
to the spray solution, will help ensure complete coverage especially the undersides of leaves where larvae are
most often found.

Since adults may carry over between crops, cultural controls such as separation of crops in time and
space and sanitation including rapid crop destruction after harvest are important.
Rotations that incorporate the use of B. thuringiensis and other soft pesticides are considered especially
important as it favors survival of parasitoids. Reduction of insecticide use, in particular pyrethroids can
sometimes improve diamondback control by favoring survival of natural enemies.

Leafminer

In the EAA, leafminer pressure has declined in snap beans.

Around Immokalee, leafminer activity is falling off in most crops.

Respondents in Homestead report that leafminer numbers remains high in a variety of crops.

On the East Coast, respondents indicate that leafminer pressure remains low.

Thrips

Growers and scouts around Immokalee report thrips continue to blow around but most of the thrips
around Immokalee appear to Florida flower thrips and are not causing significant problems.

In the Manatee Ruskin area growers continue to fight chili thrips in pepper and melons.

Around Miami Dade County, thrips population are high. On snap beans, Dr Dak Seal reports that both
Asian bean thrips and melon thrips are present in almost 100% plantings

Respondents on the East Coast report that thrip pressure is easing in remaining pepper.

Around the EAA respondents indicate that thrips populations jumped up in March and pressure has
been steady since then. Growers report that thrips vectored red node virus is currently being seen around
Clewiston and Belle Glade.

Silkfly

Around the EAA, scouts are reporting a dramatic increase in silk fly maggot pressure and are finding
new first instars in sweet corn silks as well as.

Reports from Homestead indicate that silkfly numbers remain high.

Broad Mite

Broad mite numbers are low across the area.

Spider mite

On the East Coast, spider mites are common in eggplant.

Around Hillsborough County, reports indicate that spider mites increasing in tomatoes and melons.

In SW Florida, spider mites have been increasing in a number of locations on various crops, including
cantaloupe eggplant, tomato, and watermelon. In some places growers report that are blowing in and showing
up in the tops of tomatoes
Sweet potato weevil

Around Homestead, sweet potato weevil numbers are high, and they can be found in nearly all plantings.

Pheromone traps show promise for monitoring of adult population density and may have potential for
mating disruption and trapping.

Stink bug

Growers and scouts continue to report increasing numbers of stinkbugs around Immokalee in pepper and
tomato.

Diseases

Target spot

Around Immokalee, target spot remains active.

Respondents indicate that young tomatoes in west central Florida remain relatively disease free to date.

Target spot is present in the small amount of remaining tomato on the East Coast.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled fungicides for target spot control in Florida
vegetables.

Bacterial Spot

On the East Coast, bacterial spot flared up in susceptible pepper following recent rains.

Around SW Florida, bacterial spot remains active on remaining tomato.

Growers and scouts in the Manatee Ruskin area report that bacterial spot has increased dramatically in
tomato following recent rains and is now quite common in many fields.

Pseudomonas

Dr Gary Vallad Plant Pathologist at the UF/IFAS GCREC reports finding large greasy lesions on tomato
that turned out to be Pseudomonas cichorii following recent rains. He also reports finding large, dark
angular lesions that turned out to be bacterial speck on younger tomato plantings, but noted these lesions lacked
the typical chlorotic halo typically associated with speck.

Alternaria

Growers and scouts in the EAA report that Alternaria is common in beans.

Low levels of Alternaria have also been reported in tomato around SW Florida.
Fusarium

Around Southwest Florida low levels of fusarium is present in tomatoes and watermelon. Incidence is low
and occurrence sporadic. Some fusarium has also been reported in tomato.

Around central Florida, fusarium has also been reported to be increasing in tomatoes and some melons.

Phythophthora

Some Phythophthora capsici has been reported in some double cropped squash in SW Florida.

Powdery mildew

Around SW Florida, powdery mildew continues to active in beans, cantaloupe, eggplant and squash.
Scouts report it is getting serious in some squash and is increasing in watermelons and pepper as well.

In the Manatee Ruskin area, respondents indicate powdery mildew is widely present in squash.

Downy mildew

Reports indicate that downy mildew has become more common around SW Florida and in present in a
number of watermelon, squash and cantaloupe fields.

On the East Coast, downy mildew is widespread in cucumber with severity ranging from low to high.

Reports from central Florida indicate that downy mildew is taking off in a variety of cucurbits.

Low levels of basil downy mildew are present around South Florida.

Gummy stem blight

Growers and scouts report gummy stem blight took off in a number of watermelon fields around
Southwest Florida following recent rains.

Gummy stem blight is also present on watermelons in central Florida. Incidence is patchy.

Symptoms appear as light to dark brown circular spots on leaves or as brown to black, lesions on stems.
Wilting, followed by death of young plants may occur. Stem lesions enlarge and slowly girdle the main stem
resulting in a red-brown-black canker that cracks and may exude a red to amber gummy substance. Vine wilting
is usually a late symptom.

Use of a hand lens will reveal small, clear white (when young) to black (when older), pycnidia embedded
in older diseased tissue.

Because other plant disorders can cause exudation of a gummy substance, “gummy-ness” should not be
relied upon for diagnosis of gummy stem blight. Anthracnose and inadequate liming can both cause stem
lesions and gumming.

Growers often comment on this disease occurring “overnight.” What they are actually seeing are the results
of secondary spread, which is more difficult to control than primary spread simply because of increased spore
numbers with increased diseased tissue.
In recent years, strains resistant to the strobilurin fungicides have been detected throughout the
Southeast, so it is important that growers practice resistance management and avoid repeated
applications of these and all fungicides. Materials such as Folicur (Tebuconozole), Pristine (BASF) a mixture
of boscalid and pyraclostrobin, and Topsin (thiophanate methyl) have shown good efficacy against resistant
strains of the disease.

Southern Corn Leaf Blight

Growers and scouts in the EAA report that southern corn leaf blight pressure has declined over the past
few weeks.

Symptoms of Southern corn leaf blight typically occur on leaves. Mature foliar lesions can be rounded on
the sides, but they tend to be parallel-sided, often restricted by the veins.

Lesions are light tan in the center with a reddish-brown border. A greenish growth near the center of the
lesion may be evident if spores are present. Mature lesions range from 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in length and may be
tapered, flat or serrated on the ends.

Lesions caused by southern corn leaf blight are much smaller (up to ½ inch wide and 1 inch long) than
those caused by northern corn leaf blight. Southern blight lesions are also lighter in color (light tan to brown)
and have parallel sides rather than the tapering sides of lesions caused by E. turcicum.

Northern Corn Leaf Blight

Incidence of northern corn leaf blight remains low.

Bean Rust

Growers and scouts around Belle Glade report finding low levels of rust except in some organic beans
where it is more common.

Rust symptoms begin as whitish, minute, slightly raised pustules. Later, these pustules become the distinct,
circular, reddish-brown spots on the underside of leaves that readily identify the disease.

The characteristic rusty color of the pustules is due to the production of great masses of urediospores of
the fungus. If not properly controlled, pustules may accumulate over much of the leaf surface with subsequent
premature leaf drop.

Similar symptoms may appear somewhat later and more sparingly on the upper surface of leaves. In very
susceptible varieties, pustules are often surrounded by striking, yellow haloes. Occasionally, rust will appear on
pods.

The most important method for rust control is periodic application of protectant fungicides. Where rust is
sporadic in occurrence, growers should begin the spray program at first sign of the disease. Subsequent sprays
may have to be at 5-to-7-day intervals.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled fungicides for bean rust control in Florida.

Tar Spot

Dr Rick Raid Plant Pathologist at the UF/IFAS EREC reports that the first finding of tar spot for the
season has been confirmed in sweet corn in the EAA. Incidence is low and occurrence spotty.
Tar spot disease of maize caused by Phyllachora maydis was first detected in Florida in early June 2016,
when a University of Florida researcher collected a leaf sample with symptoms from a South Florida corn
field. The diagnosis was confirmed by the USDA Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. Prior to this finding, P.
maydis was first reported and confirmed in both Indiana and Illinois in September 2015.

The disease was previously only known to occur outside the US in Mexico and Central and South
America, and the West Indies.

Corn is the only known host of P. maydis. Infections first appear on the lower leaves, usually 10-18 days
before silking.

Symptoms of tar spot include smooth oval to circular lesions, surrounded by chlorotic borders. Spots may
enlarge with an initially water-soaked area becoming necrotic, to form circular-oval brown lesions with a dark
outer edge, known as a 'fish-eye' symptom.

Larger lesions coalesce after 7-14 days with areas between spots becoming dried out. The fungus spreads
from the lowest leaves to upper leaves, and the husks of developing ears.

Dr Raid encourages growers and scouts to report cases of tar spot or suspected tar spot.

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus

Around Immokalee, respondents report that TYLCV pressure is high in several locations and note that in
some instances, symptoms are developing on some so-called “resistant” varieties.

Growers and scouts around Homestead report that TYLCV is widespread in most tomato fields.

Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus is widespread on watermelons around Southwest Florida.
Incidence is increasing and CYSDV is more common than cucurbit crumple leaf in most places.

Infected cucurbit plants initially show a chlorotic yellow spotting, which eventually develops into an
interveinal chlorosis in which the veins remain green, but the rest of the leaf turns yellow. Older leaves on
infected plants may shrivel and die. In some instances, vines may collapse rapidly as plants approach maturity.

Fruit on infected plants may appear normal but often have reduced levels of sugars and don’t ship or
store well, which can affect marketability and result in economic loss.

Symptoms of cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus can be confused with abiotic factors, such as
nutrient deficiency.

The virus is spread exclusively by the whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci. All biotypes transmit the virus
efficiently and can remain infective for up to 9 days. Whitefly transmission is entirely responsible for virus
spread over short distances within and between fields.

The virus is not transmitted mechanically nor is it seed-borne. It does not take many whiteflies to spread the
virus.
Cucurbit crumple leaf virus

Cucurbit crumple leaf virus is showing up in some watermelons, cucumbers, and squash around SW
Florida.

Respondents indicate that cucurbit crumple leaf is present in some squash around Homestead.

For both cucurbit crumple leaf virus and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus managing whiteflies and
hosts of the virus are the only options for reducing losses at this time. The following practices will help
reduce problems with these viruses.

Use virus- and whitefly-free transplants.

Sanitation is very important, and growers should destroy old, infested fields soon after harvest is
complete.

Practice good weed management in and around fields to eliminate any cucurbit weeds or volunteers that
could serve as a source of viruses and whiteflies for the crop.

Separate fall and spring cucurbit crops in time and space to create a cucurbit free period.

Do not plant new crops near or adjacent to old, infested crops confirmed to be infected by the virus.

Apply a soil application of a neonicotinoid insecticide at transplanting.

Monitor whitefly populations throughout the growing season and apply insecticides as needed. Rotate
insecticides with different modes of action to minimize development of insecticide resistance.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled insecticides for whitefly control in Florida
cucurbits.

See Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide

Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in871

Bean red node/Tobacco Streak Virus

Growers and scouts are reporting finding low levels of bean red node virus on green beans from
Clewiston to Belle Glade.

Bean red node is an occasional problem of snap and specialty beans grown in south Florida. Bean red node
is caused by a member of the genus Ilarvirus and is also known as Tobacco Streak Virus.

In beans, red node infection causes a reddish discoloration of nodes at the point of attachment of leaf
petioles to stems. In severe cases, infected plants will flex or break at a discolored node. The veins and veinlets
of infected leaves exhibit a red to reddish-brown streaking. Red to reddish-brown concentric rings form on pods
which become shriveled or puffy and do not produce seeds. Plants can be severely stunted and killed by the
virus.

Tobacco streak virus has a number of legume hosts including sweet clover and weedy legumes.
Tobacco streak virus (TSV) or red node is efficiently transmitted vectored in fields by several species of
thrips including western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and onion thrips, Thrips tabaci. At
present it is uncertain if Asian bean thrips are a potential vector.

Seed transmission is reported to occur in beans, chickpeas, and weeds.

Control of TSV is difficult. Chemical controls have not been developed for red node. Thrips control is
probably ineffective but maintaining insect control programs is advised even though controlling the vectors
alone will not provide sufficient control of TSV

The primary controls for this disease are mostly cultural. It is always wise to use virus-free seed and to
control weed hosts. No biological control strategies have been developed for red node.

Good ditch bank weed management and growing beans in large tracts to minimize border to field area
ratio are the most effective means of controlling this disease. Smaller fields with a larger border to field ratio
are often more affected than larger plantings. Typically, this requires advanced planning. Once beans are in the
ground, there is little that can be done, so keep this in mind for next season.

News You Can Use

Defining Day for Florida Agriculture

April 29, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed SB 88: Farming Operations into law which modifies Florida’s Right
to Farm Act to broadly protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits if they’ve followed regulatory requirements.

‘Average’ Atlantic hurricane season to reflect more storms

Higher averages based on most recent 30-year climate record

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

April 9, 2021

NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Katrina taken Aug. 28, 2005, as the storm’s outer bands
lashed the Gulf Coast of the United States a day before making landfall.

Beginning with this year’s hurricane season outlooks, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will use 1991-
2020 as the new 30-year period of record. The updated averages for the Atlantic hurricane season have increased
with 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes. The average for major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5) remains
unchanged at 3. The previous Atlantic storm averages, based on the period from 1981 to 2010, were 12 named
storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

NOAA is updating the set of statistics used to determine when hurricane seasons are above-, near-, or below-
average relative to the climate record. This update process occurs once every decade.

“This update allows our meteorologists to make forecasts for the hurricane season with the most relevant climate
statistics taken into consideration,” said Michael Farrar, director of NOAA’s National Centers for
Environmental Prediction. “Our work illustrates the value of NOAA’s investments in next-generation
technologies to capture the data that underpins our outlooks and other forecast products. These products are
essential to providing the public and local emergency managers with advance information to prepare for storms
and achieving NOAA’s mission of protecting life and property.”
This graphic captures the changes in Atlantic hurricane season averages from the last three-decade period of
1981-2010 to the most current such period, 1991-2020. The updated averages for the Atlantic hurricane season
have increased with 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes. The average for major hurricanes remains unchanged at
3. The previous Atlantic storm averages, based on the period from 1981 to 2010, were 12 named storms, 6
hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Learn more: http://bit.ly/NOAAHurricaneSeasonAverages
This graphic captures the changes in Atlantic hurricane season averages from the last three-decade period of
1981-2010 to the most current such period, 1991-2020. The updated averages for the Atlantic hurricane season
have increased with 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes. The average for major hurricanes remains unchanged at
3. The previous Atlantic storm averages, based on the period from 1981 to 2010, were 12 named storms, 6
hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Learn more: http://bit.ly/NOAAHurricaneSeasonAverages (NOAA)
Download Image
The increase in the averages may be attributed to the overall improvement in observing platforms, including
NOAA’s fleet of next-generation environmental satellites and continued hurricane reconnaissance. It may also
be due to the warming ocean and atmosphere which are influenced by climate change. The update also reflects a
very busy period over the last 30 years, which includes many years of a positive Atlantic Multi-decadal
Oscillation, which can increase Atlantic hurricane activity.

“These updated averages better reflect our collective experience of the past 10 years, which included some very
active hurricane seasons,” said Matt Rosencrans, seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction
Center. “NOAA scientists have evaluated the impacts of climate change on tropical cyclones and determined
that it can influence storm intensity. Further research is needed to better understand and attribute the impacts of
anthropogenic forcing and natural variability on tropical storm activity.”

For the Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific basins, the averages over the 1991 - 2020 period do not change. The
Eastern Pacific basin will remain at 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. The Central Pacific
basin will maintain an average of 4 named storms, 3 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.

NOAA will issue its initial seasonal outlook for the 2021 hurricane season in late May. The Atlantic hurricane
season officially runs from June 1 through November 30.

UF/IFAS 2020–2021 Vegetable Production Handbook

Hard copies of the 2020–2021 Vegetable Production Handbook are now available.

This 19-chapter handbook, updated annually, provides guidance on vegetables production in Florida and
includes extensive pesticide tables for each type of crop covered. The use of trade names in this publication is
solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products
named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products
of suitable composition. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

Feel free to contact me or Craig Frey if you need copies or stop by SWFREC or the Hendry County Extension
Office.
Up Coming Meetings

UF/IFAS Ag Tech Expo – May 10- 11, 2021 – virtual event hosted by UF IFAS SWFREC

Agenda - https://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/docs/pdf/events-agendas/2021-05-AgTechExpo2021-Flyer-Agenda.pdf

To register - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ag-tech-expo-the-future-of-farming-tickets-142756134441

Spanish language General Standards (CORE) and Private Applicator Training and Exams

Core – June 10, 2021

Private – June 11, 2021

Location: Hendry County Extension Office

1085 Pratt Blvd.
LaBelle, FL 33935

CEUs: 4 Core 4 Private

Cost: $20 Core $20 Private

Pre-Register and Pre-Pay.

Call Debbie or Arlene 863-674-4092

Credit Cards accepted Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express
For more info, contact Cesar Asuaje at (561) 233‐1727 or crasuaje@ufl.edu.
Websites

UF/IFAS Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety Covid-19 webpage - As federal
and state officials continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, it is important to share consistent and accurate
information. Here you will find a list of resources from sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and Departments of Health. The COVID-19 Training Toolkit for Extension packages PowerPoint
presentations, videos, and print materials to inform agricultural owners and workers about best practices to
prevent COVID-19 in the agricultural workplace. Go to http://www.sccahs.org/index.php/covid-19/

PERC is the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative – the website provides a wealth of resources to
help you understand and comply with the 2015 Revised WPS including training materials, the “new” WPS
poster, handouts and WPS respiratory guide. http://pesticideresources.org//index.html

PERC - WPS Compliance Suite — Training Materials

Under the newly revised Worker Protection Standard (WPS), training materials must be EPA-approved when
officially training workers, handlers, and trainers. At present, the only EPA approved materials available can be
found at the PERC website

• Expanded training concepts will be required starting January 2, 2018.

• Training must be delivered in a manner that can be understood, in a location relatively free from
distractions.
• When training workers or handlers, the trainer must remain present at all times to be available to answer
questions, even when showing a video.
• Trainers must be qualified, most often by holding a pesticide applicator's license or by completing an
EPA-approved Train-the-Trainer course.
Training Materials for Workers and Handlers - http://pesticideresources.org/wps/temp/training/index.html

Need CEU’s?

Here are a couple of ways to earn CEU’s

UF/IFAS does offer several excellent videos and online modules, that will allow you to earn CEUS.

Go to https://ifas-pest.catalog.instructure.com where you will find several training modules for a variety of
license categories which will allow you to earn CEU's online. Note: there is a charge for these.

Be sure to read the class description to make sure it offers CEU's in the category that you need.

Other options to earn CEU's include.

Here is an easy way to obtain CORE CEU’s on-line by reading an article and answering questions regarding the
online. A passing score obtains one Core CEU.

Go to: CEU Series-Growing Produce

https://www.growingproduce.com/crop-protection/ceu-series/

• CEU Series: Mix and Load Pesticides Safely

• CEU Series: Protect Crops and the Environment
• CEU Series: Make Sure to Stow Your Pesticides before You Go
• CEU Series: Avoid Mishaps When Handling Pesticides
• CEU Series: Be Aware of Bees When Applying Pesticides
• CEU Series: Place Priority on Preventing Pesticide Poisoning
• CEU Series: Learning about Pesticide Resistance Is Anything but Futile

Need more CORE CEUs –Earn CEU Credits NOW online through Southeast AgNet & Citrus Industry
Magazine

The following series of articles and quizzes are available:

• 2019 #4: The fate of pesticides (10/31/2020)
• 2019 #3: Protecting soil and water while using pesticides (7/31/20)
• 2019 #2: At-a-glance safety information (4/30/20)
• 2019 #1: What is a pesticide, really? (1/31/2020)

Go to http://citrusindustry.net/ceu/

Recordings of previous vegetable meeting can be found at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hendry/commercial-

vegetable-production/ - you can earn CEU’s by watching the videos and completing pre- and post-tests.

Worker Protection Standard Train the Trainer Classes Now On-Line

Exam Administrators - Cesar Asuaje, UF/IFAS Palm Beach County has developed and made available a new
EPA-approved WPS Train the Trainer online option. See the following:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved this online Worker Protection Standard Train the
Trainer (WPS TTT) course, and upon successful completion, the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Service (FDACS) will issue a WPS TTT certificate.

This certificate provides the qualification to train agricultural workers and pesticide handlers under the Worker
Protection Standard requirements. The course was developed in collaboration with Ricardo Davalos, Florida
WPS coordinator from FDACS.

Cost is $35
The course is available in the IFAS Catalog at the following link: Certificate version: https://ifas-
farmlabor.catalog.instructure.com/courses/wps-ttt

EPA-approved Fumigant training program for certified applicators using methyl bromide, chloropicrin,
chloropicrin and 1,3-dichloropropene, dazomet and metam sodium and potassium. Applicators must retrain
every 3 years. - http://www.fumiganttraining.com/

New publication hot off the press - Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV): A Potential Threat for
Tomato Production in Florida #UFIFAS #EDIS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp360
Check out Southwest Florida Vegetable Grower on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Florida-Vegetable-Grower/149291468443385 or follow me on Twitter
@SWFLVegMan - https://twitter.com/SWFLVegMan

Quotable Quotes

Some people drink deeply from the fountain of knowledge. Others just rinse and spit.
When the well is dry, we will know the worth of water - Benjamin Franklin

Ignorance is a long way from stupid, but left unchecked, can get there real fast.

If any man wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all. - Mark 9:34-35

If we study the lives of great men and women carefully and unemotionally, we find that, invariably, greatness
was developed, tested, and revealed through the darker periods of their lives. One of the largest tributaries of
the River of Greatness is always the Stream of Adversity. – Cavett Robert

Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh, and then sigh,
and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does… So God
made a farmer. - Paul Harvey

On the Lighter Side

Train of Life

At birth, we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side.

However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant, i.e., our siblings, friends,
children, and even the love of our lives.

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.

Others go so unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats.

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.

So, we must live in the best way: love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should
leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life.

Reap success and give lots of love.

Most importantly, thank God for the journey.

Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train.

By the way, I am not planning to get off the train anytime soon but if I do, just remember I am glad you were
part of my journey.
Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Matt Bardin/Glades Crop Care, Dr. Ozgur Batuman/
SWFREC, Gordon DeCou/Agri Tech Services of Bradenton, Dr Nick Dufault/ UF/IFAS, Jason
Dyess/Agriquest, Inc., Craig Frey/UF/IFAS Hendry County Extension, Rachel Giles, Carrie Harmon/UF/IFAS
Plant Disease Clinic, Lisa Hickey/Manatee County Extension, Bruce Johnson/General Crop Management, Barry
Kostyk/SWFREC, Leon Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County Extension, Alice
McGhee/Thomas Produce, Dr. Gregg Nuessly/EREC, Chuck Obern/C&B Farms, Dr. Jawad Qureshi, SWFREC
Dr. Rick Raid/ EREC, Dr Pam Roberts/SWFREC, Wes Roan/6 L's, Dr. Dak Seal/ TREC, Kevin
Seitzinger/Gargiulo, Kevin Short/ICM, Dr Gary Vallad/GCREC, Mark Verbeck/GulfCoast Ag, Dr. Qingren
Wang/Miami-Dade County Extension, Alicia Whidden/Hillsborough County Extension, Dr. Phillip
Williams/SWFREC, Dr Henry Yonce/KAC Ag Research and Dr. Shouan Zhang/TREC.

The South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy and Craig Frey and is issued on
as a service to the vegetable industry.

Gene McAvoy
Gene McAvoy
Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus
Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations
University of Florida IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

UF/IFAS SWFREC 239-658-3414

2685 State Road 29 N 863-673-5939 cell
Immokalee, FL 34142 gmcavoy@ifas.ufl.edu

Craig Frey
Hendry County Extension Director
Multi-County Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent
University of Florida/IFAS Extension

Hendry County Extension Service Office: (863) 674-4092

1085 Pratt Blvd. Cell: (863) 517-5880
LaBelle, FL 33935 craigfrey@ufl.edu
Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, who make this publication possible.

Thomas Produce Company Shawn Barley

Of South Florida Wedgworth’s Inc.
Grower and Shippers of Quality Vegetables
9905 Clint Moore Road
Big W Brand Fertilizer
(863) 441-9255 cell
Boca Raton, Florida 33496

Carol Howard Ryan Richards

Mobley Plant World Wedgworth’s Inc.
1351 W Cowboy Way
710 Broward Street
LaBelle, Florida 33935
Immokalee, FL 34142
Phone 863-675 -2020
Phone 239-657-8254 Fax 239-657-2005

Gargiulo Nichino America

Growers Shippers Importers Exporters Makers of Courier, Portal & Vetica
David Pensabene: Production Manager Technical Sales Representatives
Naples Operations Todd Villars: West Florida - 863-532-0937
Phone 239-353-0300 Fax 239-353-3407 Sam Monroe: East Florida - 772-473-0873

PUT YOUR NAME HERE

Corteva

Stacey Howell
Glades Crop Care, Inc.
Leaders in Crop Health Bayer CropScience
3481 3rd Ave NW
Management
Naples, FL 34120
Charlie Mellinger, Ph.D.
Phone (239) 353-6491 Cell (239) 272-8575
Phone 561-746-3740 Fax 561-746-3775

Justin Powell Bart Hoopingarner

Southeast Business Leader Gowan Company
Adama 3605 162nd Ave East
229 881 9757 cells Parrish, FL 34219
justin.powell@adama.com Phone 941-776-1105 Cell 941-737-7444
Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, who make this publication possible.

Sponsored by Orondis® fungicide & OmniLytics - AgriPhage

Syngenta Crop Protection Safe Natural Effective
Morgan McKenna Vegetable Bacteria Control
Fort Myers, FL 33901 Matt Stephenson Smith – 239-572-3342
Cell 336-337-2085 Ryan Benson – 801-300-3437

Hal Blackmore
Marrone Bio Innovations
Cell 904-570-0041 or
hblackmore@marronebio.com

Put Your N ame Here

Certis USA Scott Houk
Bio-Pesticides for Crop Production Dow AgroSciences LLC
Joe Craig - 863-291-9203 Phone 239-948-3999
Chuck Goodowns - 352-538-4471 Email sehouk@dow.com

FMC
FMC Corporation Jamerson Farms
Eric Johnson
Cell 352-281-2325 Growers, Packers and Shippers of
Florida’s Finest Vegetables
EJ.Johnson@fmc.com www.fmccrop.com Phone 239-229-5734 Fax 239-368-0969

Clint Wise

PUT YOUR NAME HERE

AGLIME SALES INC
PO Box 60
Babson Park, Florida 33827-0060
Office 863-638-1481 Fax 863-638-2312

BioSafe Systems LLC

Jarod Huck
OxiDate® 352-789-9363 PUT YOUR NAME HERE
TerraClean®
StorOx® Luis Hansen
305.793.9206
info@biosafesystems.com
Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, who make this publication possible.

BASF Corporation
Adrian Jahna
863-443-2404
Adrian.jahna@basf.com

Valent USA
Certified for use in Organic Production
"Products That Work Jack Kilgore 239-707-7677
From People Who Care"
g8trmanjek@comcast.net
Sarah Markle 863-673-8699

Chuck Obern Danny Jones

C & B Farm Diamond R Fertilizer
CR 835 PO Box 1898
Clewiston, FL 33440 LaBelle, FL 33975
Office 863-983-8269 Fax 863-983-8030 (863) 675-3700
Cell 239-250-0551

Richard Roles
UPL.LTD Roles Marketing International
Kyle Register Distributors of Agrigro and Super Cal 10%
(863) 517-4165 Calcium
Kyle.Register@UPL.LTD.com richard@rmiint.com www.rmiint.com
Cell 561-644-3511

Dr. Henry Yonce Grower's Management, Inc

KAC Agricultural Research P.O. Box 130
Scouting, Consulting Belle Glade, FL 33430
Research Phone: 561-996-6469
386-736-0098 work 386-527-1124 cell www.growersmanagement.com
HDYONCE@msn.com

PUT YOUR NAME HERE PUT YOUR NAME HERE

NOTE: The acknowledgement of sponsorship in no way constitutes or reflects an official endorsement of these
businesses or their products or services by either the University of Florida, IFAS or the Florida Cooperative Extension
Service. Sponsors have no control over the content of this publication.