SOUTH FLORIDA

VEGETABLE PEST AND DISEASE

HOTLINE
January 29, 2022

A cold front moved across South Florida last week bring the coldest temperatures of the season to date.
Several locations reported light frost associated but now significant crop damage was reported.

Growers are beginning to terminate fall crops and are beginning to plant spring crops including
watermelons around SW Florida.

FAWN Weather Summary

Date Air Temp °F Rainfall Ave Relative Humidity ET (Inches/Day)
Min Max (Inches) (Percent) (Average)
Balm
11/10 – 12/20/2020 33.52 88.81 9.26 76 0.06
Belle Glade
11/10 – 12/20/2020 35.99 88.92 3.22 86 0.07
Clewiston
11/10 – 12/20/2020 38.59 87.06 4.03 86 0.07
Ft Lauderdale
11/10 – 12/20/2020 43.09 87.39 4.35 72 0.07
Homestead
11/10 – 12/20/2020 37.42 84.79 6.25 86 0.07
Immokalee
10/20 – 11/10/2020 37.87 90.28 3.36 84 0.07
Okeechobee
11/10 – 12/20/2020 35.13 88.38 4.82 86 0.06

“Remember, when in doubt - scout.”

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A wide variety of vegetables are coming to market including celery, eggplants, green beans, herbs,
peppers, sweet corn, tomatoes, and specialty items.

The National Weather Service forecasts a cold front will move down the Florida peninsula this weekend.
Winds will become breezy and gusty behind the frontal passage on Saturday. High pressure will build behind
the front a dry and very cold air mass will settle over the region.

Say goodbye to the nice Florida temperatures, a least for a couple of days! The models remain on track for
unseasonably low temperatures across South Florida. Some areas will see the coldest air in about a decade. Over
the interior areas temperatures will drop to 30 degrees, with isolated areas in Glades County dipping into the
high 20s for a short period of time. Closer to the coast, minimum temperatures could be in the 35–40-degree
range.

Based on this forecast, Freeze and Wind Chill Watches have been issued for Saturday night/Sunday
morning.

The high-pressure system will dominate conditions from Sunday through Tuesday as it builds and settles
over the peninsula.

Temperatures should start to moderate by Monday as winds will start veering to a NE flow. Conditions
should remain dry.

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

Insects

Whiteflies

Around Immokalee, growers and scouts are seeing lots of whitefly adults in melons, eggplant, tomatoes,
and even in peppers. Immatures are present in older plantings. Reports indicate that wind/rain and cold has
knocked them down for a few days, but you can bet they will be back when temperatures ameliorate.

In the Manatee Ruskin area, growers are between crops

On the East Coast, whiteflies are present in pepper, tomato and eggs. Pressure is mostly low to moderate.

Reports from Homestead indicate that whiteflies are increasing in a number of crops and that TYLCV is
widespread in tomato.

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. Growers who are on seepage and not drip are at a particular disadvantage if whiteflies and virus
are high early in the season.

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

cyanatraniliprole should be used preventatively in tomato and cucurbits.
Systemic insecticides applied to soil for whitefly control
Common name Mode of Action Trade Names Rates
Imidacloprid 4A Various Check Label
Thiamethoxam 4A Platinum 75 SG 1.66 - 3.67
4A Venom 70% 5 - 7.5 oz./ac
Scorpion 35 SL 9 -1 0.5 fl oz./ac
Certador 10% 32.5 - 47.5 fl oz./ac
Flurpyradifuron 4D Sivanto 200 SL 21-28 fl oz./ac
Verimark 28 Verimark 18.7% 5-10 fl oz./ac

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 situations 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!

Now that we are transitioning between fall and spring crops in many places, 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 fall plantings and plant spring crops.
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 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

Worms

On the East Coast respondents report that worm activity is mostly low. Scouts report finding loopers and
some fall armyworm.

Growers and scouts report that worm pressure has declined in the EAA with only a few isolated
outbreaks of corn earworm and fall armyworm in corn being noted.

Around SW Florida, worm pressure remains at low levels for the most part with a mix of mostly southern
armyworms along with some loopers, beets, hornworms and fruitworms. A few melonworms are being
seen in cucurbits. Scouts are reporting finding armyworm egg masses and cabbage loopers in tomatoes and
eggplant.

Reports from Homestead indicate that some melonworms are present in some specialty cucurbits and
squash. Fall and southern armyworms are present at low to moderate numbers in a variety of crops.
Respondents in the EAA report finding some southern armyworm hotspots in beans which were cleaned
up easily. Reports indicate that growers are also battling armyworm in some corn fields.
Growers and scouts report that in general the group 28 diamide insecticides do not seem to be providing
control as long as they previously did.

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

A few diamond back moths are being reported in cabbage and other crucifers in a few locations around
south Florida. Growers and scouts report that populations have been relatively easy to control.

Leafminer

In the EAA, leafminers are active in beans, celery and lettuce. Pressure is moderate in some celery fields.

Around Immokalee, leafminer pressure continues to increase and leafminer numbers are high across all
commodities including tomato, eggplants, and other crops. The cold weather last week seemed to knock the
adults back, but they were back as soon as things warmed up a bit.

Leafminers activity has picked up around Homestead with high numbers present in many crops.

On the East Coast leafminer activity remains low.

In south Florida, leafminer populations peak between October and March while in central Florida they
are a problem in both spring and fall.

Leafminer damage to foliage can render plants more susceptible to fungal or bacterial diseases, which can
cause further harm to plants. Bacterial spot, Alternaria, target spot and other diseases often become
established in leaf mines.

Cucumber beetles

Reports from the EAA indicate that cucumber beetles are widespread and appear to be everywhere.

Pepper Weevil

On the East Coast pepper weevil are widely present and are reaching high numbers in some older/mature
plantings.

Pepper weevils are active around Homestead.

Around SW Florida, pepper weevil pressure continues to build with scouts reporting migration out of
older fields into some pretty young fields.
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.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled insecticides for pepper weevil control in
Florida.

Celery Weevil

Growers and scouts in the EAA and eastern Hendry County report they are battling celery weevils,
Listronotus sp., in celery and parsley and seem to have been fighting them the entire season with no good
control. Some growers indicate they have been seeing these insects for the past three years or so.

These insects attack crop plants in the family Umbelliferae: carrot, celery, dill, parsley, and parsnip.
Carrot weevil initially was known as a pest of parsley, and for many years as the "parsley stalk weevil." Both
umbelliferous and non-umbelliferous wild plants are suitable hosts.

Both adults and larvae damage plants. Adult feeding takes two principal forms: cavities created by
gnawing into the tissue (usually accompanied by oviposition), and injury caused by feeding.

Upon hatching, larvae s tunnel inside the stalk, usually tunneling downwards. Some larvae exit the stalk,
drop to the soil, and re-enter the plant at, or below, ground level. When plant stalks are small, larvae may
move directly to the roots to feed. It may not be readily apparent that larvae are feeding in the crown or roots of
plants.

The mature larva leaves the plant to construct a pupal chamber in the soil. After transformation to the
adult, the beetle remains in the pupal chamber for 1-5 days, and then digs to the soil surface.

Several species are known. Listronotus texanus commonly found in Mexico, Texas and Louisiana and L.
oregonensis found in more northerly locations. Samples from the EAA are out with DPI for positive
identification.

Sanitation and crop rotation help alleviate carrot weevil problems. Crop rotation, while often recommended
because beetles seem to have limited powers of flight, may be impractical production tends to be concentrated in
relatively small areas of organic soil, and it is difficult to achieve the necessary isolation.

IFAS does not currently have recommendations for control, but some growers report some success with
neonics.

Aphids

Respondents on the East Coast report that a few aphids are starting to show up in pepper and squash.

Around the EAA reports indicate aphids are present in celery as well as in cabbage and other crucifers.
Pressure is light to moderate depending on location.

Reports from SW Florida indicate that aphids are present in some pepper and are reportedly forming
colonies in some pepper fields.
Growers and scouts in Homestead report find low to moderate aphid numbers in susceptible crops.

Green peach aphids can attain very high densities causing water stress, wilting, and reduced growth rate
of the plant. Prolonged aphid infestation can cause significant reduction in yield.

Contamination of harvestable plant material with aphids, or with aphid honeydew, also causes loss.
The major damage caused by green peach aphid is through transmission of plant viruses. This aphid is
considered by many to be the most important vector of plant viruses throughout the world. Over 100 viruses are
transmitted by this species.

The green peach aphid readily infests vegetables and can be transported long distances by wind and
storms.

In warmer climates such as Florida the aphids persist as active nymphs and adults on hardy crops and
weeds throughout the winter months.

As aphid densities increase, winged forms are produced, which then disperse to nearby hosts. They often
deposit a few young and move on. This trait contributes greatly to their effectiveness as vectors of plant viruses.

Broad Mite

On the East Coast broad mites continue to persist in eggplant and pepper and growers are treating
regularly for them.

Around Southwest Florida broad mite pressure remains steady in peppers some places, numbers vary
from low to high depending on location.

Broad mites are also widely present around Homestead.

Malformed terminal buds and stunted growth is often a telltale sign that broad mites are present. Broad
mites are extremely tiny and are difficult to see without a 10X or stronger hand lens. The mites may crowd into
crevices and buds. Mites prefer the shaded side of fruit and the underside of leaves, which usually faces the
plant, so scouts must be diligent and carefully inspect affected plants to detect these tiny creatures.

Broad mite injury can be confused with herbicide injury, nutritional (boron) deficiencies or physiological
disorders.

Males and females are very active, but the males apparently account for much of the dispersal of a broad
mite population in their frenzy to carry the quiescent female larvae to new leaves. When females emerge
from the quiescent stage, males immediately mate with them

Broad mites are known to use insect hosts, including bees and whiteflies, to move from plant to plant.

Several products such as AgriMek and Oberon are labeled for control of this pest, sulfur, insecticidal oils
or soaps may be just as effective and less toxic to the environment. Due to short life cycles, frequent
repeated sprays may be necessary to obtain control.

Thrips

Around Miami Dade County, melon thrips populations are increasing in snap beans. Frequent rain and
cooler temps have helped hold numbers in check.
Around Palm Beach County. western flower thrips are increasing in some pepper fields located next to
ornamental greenhouses.

Low levels of thrips are also present in beans in the EAA.

Some thrips have been reported in U-pick strawberry in Palm Beach County.

Asian bean thrips population counts were low across the region this week. The largest population was found
scouting snap bean blooms in central Hendry County and counts did not exceed 0.5 ABT/bloom. Other scouted
areas turned up only single individuals.

Silkfly

Around the EAA, and Homestead silkfly adults remain low.

Sweet potato weevil

Around Homestead, sweet potato weevil numbers remain 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.

Applications of insecticides are typically applied to the soil at planting to prevent injury to slips. Systemic
insecticides are preferred. Due to the long duration of the crop, preplant applications are commonly followed by
one or more insecticide applications to the plant or soil at mid-season.

Several strains of entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema and Heterorhabditis penetrate the
soil and tubers, killing weevil larvae. At least in the soils of southern Florida, the infective nematodes are
persistent, remaining active for up to four months. In some cases, nematodes are more effective than insecticides
at reducing damage.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled insecticides for sweet potato weevil control in
Florida.

Stink bug

A few stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs are being reported in pepper and tomato around South Florida

Diseases

Bacterial Spot

Around SW Florida, bacteria spot remains a significant problem in tomato and pepper and continues to
increase. Pepper without resistance looks rough in most places. Some respondents indicate spread may be
slowing in some fields.

On the East Coast, bacterial spot is widely present and has flared up in a number of non-X 10 bell pepper
and specialty pepper. Bacterial spot remains active in tomato.
Reports from Homestead indicate bacterial spot pressure is moderate to high in many tomato and
susceptible pepper varieties.

Scouting is important and growers need to be alert as older tomatoes are reaching the stage where target
spot can sneak in behind it in older plantings where larger bush canopies prevent internal drying.

Since water movement spreads the bacteria from diseased to healthy plants, workers and farm equipment
should be kept out of fields when fields are wet because the disease will spread readily under wet
conditions.

No resistant tomato varieties are available commercially. In pepper, a number of excellent varieties with
resistance to races 1 -10 are available.

It is important to apply sprays before and during rainy periods. If conditions are favorable, frequent
spraying may not be sufficient to maintain bacterial spot below damaging levels.

Attention to application techniques is as important as choice of material in achieving adequate control.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for formulations, rates, and intervals of currently labeled materials
for bacterial spot in Florida.

Target spot

Around SW Florida, target spot continues to increase and build up inside tomato bushes and fire up as
they mature.

Some target spot was recently detected in greenhouse grown lettuce in SW Florida as well.

Widespread resistance has been documented to Qol fungicides including both strobilurins and non-
strobilurin fungicides in FRAC Group 11 and their use is not recommended for target spot control.

In addition, moderate resistance has been documented in the SDHI fungicides FRAC Group 7 which
includes boscalid, penthiopyrad, fluopyram and fluxapyroxad. These should be used with caution and
attention paid to rotating with alternative modes of action.

In recent efficacy trials, at the University of Florida – Approvia Top, Inspire Super, Luna Tranquility,
Revus Top, Rhyme, and Scala are top performers. Contact protectant fungicides like mancozeb and Bravo
are effective and should be used early in the crop cycle switching to more efficacious materials once disease is
present.

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

Early blight

Reports from around SW Florida indicate that some early blight is around at low levels in tomato.
Foliar symptoms generally occur on the oldest leaves and start as small, pencil-point-size, brownish to
black lesions. These leaf spots enlarge up to ½ inch and usually have readily visible, concentric rings that look
somewhat like a bull's-eye. These concentric leaf spots are distinctive enough to make early blight one of the
easier tomato diseases to diagnose.

Late Blight

Cool temps and foggy mornings have put tomato and potato growers on high alert for late blight. Despite
some rumors, late blight has not been detected and confirmed in South Florida.

Sclerotinia

Reports from Palm Beach County indicate that sclerotinia showed up in pepper a few ago and is
increasing in pepper.

Around SW Florida, sclerotinia is widespread at mostly low levels in a number of pepper fields with some
fields reaching moderate levels of infections.

Reports from the EAA indicate that white mold on beans and lettuce drop remains an issue in lettuce
fields close to maturity and green bean plantings. Drier weather has helped slow things down.

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

Pythium

Growers and scouts continue to report some problems with damping off associated with Pythium in all
location across South Florida affected by recent heavy rains. Crops affected include cucurbits, green beans,
lettuce tomatoes and pepper.

Cucurbit Downy Mildew

Respondents around SW Florida are reporting widespread issues with downy mildew in squash.

Downy mildew is also widely present in Homestead on squash and oriental cucurbits.

Since nighttime temperatures between 55o and 75oF and relative humidity above 90%, provide ideal
conditions for infection, cucurbits planted in South Florida are always at risk from downy mildew.

Control of downy mildew on cucurbits is achieved primarily by the use of resistant varieties and/ or
fungicide spray programs. Fungicide sprays are recommended for all cucurbits. Resistant varieties are
currently available for some cucurbits and can help reduce fungicide applications.

Spray programs for downy mildew are most effective when initiated prior to the first sign of disease since
once a planting becomes infected; it becomes more and more difficult for fungicides to control downy
mildew.
A range of fungicides is available for the control of downy mildew depending on the crop. Consult
UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled fungicides for downy mildew control in Florida.

Downy Mildew of Crucifers

Respondents in the EAA report finding light to moderate downy mildew on cabbage and radishes.

Downy mildew of cruciferous crops is caused by the fungus Peronospora parasitica. All crucifers are
susceptible.

All plant parts can become infected with this fungus. Leaf symptoms usually appear on the underside of the
leaf as black or dark specks on young leaves. These spots are often irregular in shape and may appear net-like.
The upper side of the leaf will also develop dark spots similar in shape and may be accompanied by leaf
yellowing.

On older leaves, these spots will often coalescence resulting in larger areas of the leaf blade having large,
sunken, paper tan-colored spots. Leaf yellowing may accompany these symptoms. Early infection on young
plants can cause stunting.

On the underside of the leaf spots, a white-grey, downy growth can often be observed with or without the
aid of a hand lens, especially when leaves are wet. On mature cabbage, downy mildew can appear as dark
sunken spots on the head or wrapper leaves.

Cauliflower curds and broccoli heads can become infected with blackened areas on the outside of the
tissue. The infection can become systemic and turn inner curd and stem tissue dark.

Cool, wet conditions are conducive for the development of downy mildew. If temperatures are suitable, the
disease will be more severe under of high rainfall or heavy dews and fog.

Downy mildew is controlled primarily by fungicides at the present time. Protectant fungicides should be
applied at least weekly beginning when nighttime temperatures are conducive for sporulation and disease
development and when rains, dews or irrigations are frequent or heavy.

Some of the newer fungicides are highly effective in controlling the disease but will typically have a
limited number of applications and should be rotated between FRAC classes to reduce the possibility of
the development of resistance and to help lengthen the effective lifespan of these fungicides.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled fungicides for downy mildew control in Florida.

Lettuce Downy Mildew

Dr Richard Raid Pathologist at UF IFAS EREC reports that lettuce downy mildew was recently found in
the EAA for the first time this season. Incidence and occurrence remain limited.

Downy mildew is a serious foliar disease of lettuce which has a direct effect on yield and quality, as it
affects the marketable portion of the crop. In addition to losses in the field, downy mildew's impact is
accompanied by significant postharvest losses. In Florida, yield losses of up to 100 percent have been reported
for individual fields. During the past several years, costs to control downy mildew have risen dramatically.
Lettuce downy mildew is caused by the fungus Bremia lactucae which is the class of relatively primitive
fungus-ike organisms known as the Oomycetes. The fungus is an obligate parasite, i.e., it is capable of
infecting and colonizing only living host tissue.

Downy mildew is capable of infecting any growth stage from seedling to mature plant. Head, leaf, and cos
lettuce are all susceptible.

Symptoms of downy mildew appear initially as chlorotic yellow spots on the upper leaf surface. Under
favorable conditions, a white cottony-like fungal growth indicative of sporulation may be seen on the lower leaf
surface.

During the early stages, leaf spots are often delineated by the veins of the leaf, giving an angular
appearance. Lesions become increasingly chlorotic and eventually turn brown. Although downy mildew is
most severe on the older outer leaves, the disease may become systemic over time, infecting heads internally.
Lesions may also provide entry for secondary fungi such as Botrytis.

The list of fungicides currently labeled for lettuce downy mildew control includes maneb, fosetyl Al,
metalaxyl, and several copper compounds. Recently some newer compounds including Presidio, Previcur
Flex, Orondis Ultra, Reason, Revus, and Tanos have been added to growers control options. Resistance in B.
lactucae to the fungicide metalaxyl has been reported in Florida and its efficacy may be reduced. Since labels
and recommendations change frequently, growers should consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently
labeled fungicides for downy mildew control in Florida.

With the onset of favorable environmental conditions, fungicide applications should begin at about the 1-
or 2-leaf stage and continue throughout the duration of the crop. Applications must be made prior to
infection if adequate control is to be maintained. If downy mildew is known to be present in the area, growers
should launch a fungicide program immediately.

Given the current susceptibility of Florida cultivars, downy mildew is extremely difficult, if not
impossible, to maintain at non-economic levels once a major outbreak has occurred. For this reason,
prevention and early detection are of the utmost importance. Because of downy mildew's ability to spread over
large distances in a short period of time, lettuce producers are urged to communicate freely with each other and
with extension personnel and consultants in the area. Early notification can be a tremendous help in minimizing
control costs and reducing the impact of this disease.

Growers and scouts are asked to notify Dr Raid @ rnraid@ufl.edu if they find downy mildew on their
operations.

Anthracnose

Growers and scouts on the East Coast report that anthracnose remains present in pepper but spread has
slowed in recent weeks.

Anthracnose is also present in some specialty pepper around SW Florida.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is beginning to show up on squash and green beans in several locations around SW
Florida.
Powdery mildew is also widely present around Homestead.

Fusarium

Around SW Florida, fusarium is increasing in some tomato but remains at mostly low levels.

Respondents on the East Coast note that fusarium crown rot in pepper is present at mostly very low
levels.
Phythophthora

Respondents report that Phythophthora is causing some problems around Homestead.

Northern Corn Leaf Spot

Growers and scouts in the EAA report finding some northern corn leaf spot on some sweet corn.

Symptoms of this disease, caused by Bipolaris zeicola, are sometimes confused with northern corn leaf
blight, southern corn leaf blight, and anthracnose.

Symptoms of northern corn leaf spot usually appear at the time of silking or at full maturity. Grayish tan
lesions surrounded by a darker border first appear on lower leaf blades. These lesions are narrow and up to 1
inch long. They may also occur on leaf sheaths and husks.

Northern corn leaf spot is favored by moderate temperatures and humid weather.

Foliar fungicides labeled for northern corn leaf spot are available.

Northern Corn Leaf Blight

Low levels of northern corn leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum are also being reported on sweet
corn in the EAA.

Triazoles and strobilurins both provide control, with some pre-mixes giving superior control. These
products should be used with a broad-spectrum protectant to minimize development of fungal resistance.

Use EDBC fungicides such as mancozeb as a protectant before disease is present. Apply 4- 6 sprays on a 5
– 7-day basis. Use a surfactant/sticker as corn leavers are waxy and spray tends to run off. Rotate with a
stobulurin such as Headline etc. As corn matures or disease becomes present, rotate between triazoles such as
Folicur, Monsoon, Propimax etc and strobilurins or premixes of the two.

Consult UF/IFAS recommendations for currently labeled fungicides for northern corn leaf blight control
in Florida.

Rust

Some bean rust has been reported on green beans in the Homestead area.

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus

Around Immokalee, respondents report that TYLCV remains at mostly low levels

Growers and scouts around Homestead report that TYLCV is common in many tomato fields.
Tomato Chlorotic spot Virus

Low levels of tomato chlorotic spot have been reported in tomato around Homestead.

News You Can Use

Vaccine requirement to impact H-2A workers

The Department of Homeland Security announced a requirement that all essential and non-essential travelers
entering the U.S. to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The start date for implementation of this new rule
was Saturday, Jan. 22.

What this means... H-2A workers arriving on Jan. 22, 2022, or after, will be required to show proof of
vaccination. This goes for all essential and non-essential travelers entering the U.S.

• These restrictions are temporary and will remain in effect through April 21, 2022, unless amended or
rescinded prior to that date.

But first... For purposes of travel to the U.S., the only vaccines accepted are those authorized for emergency use
or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use by the World Health
Organization, including Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, J&J.

• COVID testing is not required for entry via a land port of entry or ferry terminal.

Deep dive... non-U.S. individuals traveling to the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals,
whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must:

• verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status.

• provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website -
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
• present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid
passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Tribal Card; and,
• be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) officer during a border inspection.

Additional guidance from DHS - https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/fact-sheet-guidance-travelers-enter-us-

land-ports-entry-and-ferry-terminals

See Federal Registry notice - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/10/21/2021-23005/notification-

of-temporary-travel-restrictions-applicable-to-land-ports-of-entry-and-ferries-service

Florida to offer online pesticide exam option

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In Florida, pesticide licensing exams help ensure the state’s approximately 70,000
pesticide applicators follow state regulations and best practices for mitigating the impact of chemicals on the
environment.

Historically, the exam has only been offered in person at pre-scheduled times. The UF/IFAS Pesticide
Information Office has announced that applicators will now have the option of taking the exam online, at any
time, from just about any location with an internet connection.
Florida is one of only a few states that offers an online pesticide exam option, said Brett Bultemeier, an
Extension assistant professor of agronomy with the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office, which partners with
the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to offer the exam.

“We hope this online option will save applicators both time and money. When you factor in travel time and
testing time, a pesticide applicator may spend half a day or more to sit for an in-person exam. That’s time they
could be spending working or growing their business. The online option will allow them to take the test on a
rainy day or outside working hours,” Bultemeier said.

“Taking the test online can also cut down on testing anxiety, as applicators can take the test from a quiet office
or area in their home, rather than among 15 other people,” he added

Bultemeier emphasized that the online exam does not replace in-person exams. Both will be offered. New
applicators must pass the exam, while current licensed applicators must retake the exam every four years or
accrue enough continuing education units during that four-year window for renewal.

For now, there are only five exams available via remote online access: Core, Private Applicator, Aquatics,
Right-of-Way, Ornamental and Turf. The plan is to quickly load the remaining pesticide exams to this format in
2022.

Applicators can apply for an in-person or online test by following the steps listed on the UF/IFAS Pesticide
Exam website https://pesticideexam.ifas.ufl.edu/ The online test is $26.

To maintain the integrity of the test results, the online exam uses software developed by the company Everblue
to ensure test takers are not consulting the internet, books or study guides while taking the exam.

The UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office also offers online courses that give applicators continuing education
units (CEUs). Pesticide applicators who have already passed the exam once can either retake the test or accrue
CEUs to maintain their license. For additional updates check out the PIO blog.

Up Coming Meetings

February 2, 2022 Asian Bean Thrips Meeting 4:30-6:00 pm

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asian-bean-thrips-meeting-tickets-241401166387

February 18, 2022 Addressing the Rabbit Problem to Crops in the Glades 10:30 am
by Dr. Richard Raid and Dr. Robert McCleery on

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stakeholder-meeting-tickets-256946733597

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/

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/

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

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

The secret to getting ahead is getting started.

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding,
mistrust, and hostility to evaporate." -- Albert Schweitzer

Five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from yourself
The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or
early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may
soon be still.

On the Lighter Side

Ponder this

1. If a bottle of poison reaches its expiration date, is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous?

2. Which letter is silent in the word "Scent," the S or the C?

3. Do twins ever realize that one of them is unplanned?

4. Why is the letter W in English called double U? Shouldn't it be called double V?

5. Maybe oxygen is slowly killing you and it just takes 75-100 years to fully work.

6. Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty.

7. The word "swims" upside-down is still "swims"

8. 100 years ago, everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today everyone has cars and only the rich
own horses.

Good Samaritan

A man and his wife were awakened at 3:00 am by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the
door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.

"Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3:00 in the morning!"

He slams the door and returns to bed.

"Who was that?" asked his wife…

"Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.

"Did you help him?" she asks.

"No, I did not, it's 3 am in the morning and it's bloomin' well pouring with rain out there!"

"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke
down, and those two guys helped us? I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself! God
loves drunk people too you know."

The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pounding rain.

He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes," comes back the answer.

"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.

"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.

"Where are you?" asks the husband.

"Over here on the swing," replied the drunk.

Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Dr. Ozgur Batuman/ SWFREC, Carol Brooks/West
Florida Scouting, Gordon DeCou/Agri Tech Services of Bradenton, Dr Nick Dufault/ UF/IFAS, Jason
Dyess/Agriquest, Inc., 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, Anna Meszaros, Palm Beach County Extension, Mark Mossler/UF/IFAS Pesticide Information
Office, 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

1085 Pratt Blvd.
LaBelle, FL 33935

Office: (863) 674-4092

Cell: (863) 517-5880
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
Boca Raton, Florida 33496 (863) 441-9255 cell

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

Stacey Howell
Glades Crop Care, Inc. Bayer CropScience
Leaders in Crop Health 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
Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, who make this publication possible.

Justin Powell Bart Hoopingarner

Southeast Business Leader Gowan Company
Adama 3605 162nd Ave East
229 881 9757 cell Parrish, FL 34219
justin.powell@adama.com Phone 941-776-1105 Cell 941-737-7444

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

Sponsored by Orondis® fungicide & OmniLytics - AgriPhage

Syngenta Crop Protection Safe Natural Effective
Jonathan Stevenson Vegetable Bacteria Control
Fort Myers, FL 33901 Matt Stephenson Smith – 239-572-3342
(208) 890-1754 Ryan Benson – 801-300-3437

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Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, who make this publication possible.

Certis USA Scott Houk

Bio-Pesticides for Crop Production Dow AgroSciences LLC
Chuck Goodowns - 352-538-4471 Phone 239-948-3999
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

TerraClean® Luis Hansen

StorOx® 305.793.9206

info@biosafesystems.com

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Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, who make this publication possible.

BASF Corporation Valent USA

"Products That Work
Adrian Jahna From People Who Care"
863-443-2404
Adrian.jahna@basf.com Sarah Markle 863-673-8699

UPL.LTD Richard Roles

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

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

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

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.