Pests Assaulting Florida Crops

Most of the state of Florida has near perfect growing conditions for twelve months out of the year. Farmers grow everything from tropical fruits and flowers in the south to peanuts and cotton in the north. Considering the diversity of the crops grown in the state every year, it is no surprise farmers must be on the lookout for pests and diseases nonstop.

It is ironic that something as small as a pencil eraser or even smaller, can cause so much damage. Florida does not hold a monopoly on the pests listed below but they are on every farmer’s watch list during planting, growing and harvesting seasons.

Banded Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica balteata)

This beetle is found more often in southern Florida than in the northern part of the state. It can be found on bean, beet, cabbage, corn, cucumber, lettuce, okra, onion, pea, soybean, squash and sweet potato plants. Adult beetles chew holes on the surface of leaves while larvae feed on the roots of the plant. Defoliation is a problem caused by adult beetles.

Bean Leafroller (Urbanus proteus)

Bean leafroller can be found throughout the state. In late summer, this pest can be found on cowpea, lima bean, pea, snap bean and soybean crops.

Cabbage Looper (Trichoplusia ni)

Cabbage looper attacks beet, celery, crucifers, lettuce, parsley, pea, potato spinach, and tomato. There are usually three or more generations per year. Eggs of the cabbage looper are deposited singly on surface of leaves. The larvae feed on leaves for two to four weeks once hatched.

Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivora)

Cowpea aphid can be found on many plants including; alfalfa, apple, carrot, cotton, dandelion, goldenrod, kidney bean, lambsquarters, lettuce, lima bean, pinto bean, peanut and snap beans. Colonies of young aphids can be seen on plants. These aphids have piercing mouths and suck juices from the plant leaving it to dry out which causes wilting and yellowing of leaves.

Cowpea Curculio (Chalcodermus aeneus)

Cowpea curculio usually causes the most trouble in late spring and is not seen the rest of the year. These weevils overwinter in weeds and in spring find their way to host plants puncturing bean pods to feed and ultimately, lay their eggs in undeveloped seeds. Entire fields can be damaged during the months this pest feeds. It prefers black-eyed pea but can also be found on cotton, crowder pea, lima beans, long bean, peas, snap beans, soybeans and strawberry.

Garden Fleahopper (Halticus bractatus)

The garden fleahopper is not a problem in commercial fields due to control measures taken to rid fields of other snap bean pests. It is however, a large problem in home gardens. Adults and nymphs feed on the plant, sucking the sap out, due to this heavy feeding, young seedlings may die.

Melon Thrips (Thrips palmi)

Melon thrips attack amaranth spinach, broad bean, eggplant, pepper, potato, melons, snap beans, soybean, squash and tobacco.

Mexican Bean Beetle (Epilachna varivestis)

These beetles belong to the same family as the beneficial ‘Ladybug’ but they are far from beneficial. If allowed to get out of control, they can eat every leaf in a field of snap beans. They can also be found in fields of alfalfa, black-eyed pea, clover, cowpea, lima beans, snap beans (especially wax beans), soybeans, and velvet bean.

Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii)

Silverleaf whitefly damages snap beans by sucking out plant sap. It can cause alot of damage for such a small pest.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata)

This beetle is also known as ‘Southern Corn Rootworm’. When the weather begins to warm in mid-spring, activity rapidly increases; adult feed on young plants and females deposit eggs in the soil at the base of plants. These eggs hatch out in the summer and the offspring begin to feed on the larger plants. Cucumber and melon are the plants of choice for this beetle.

Twospotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)

These mites feed on sap from the underside of leaves. Damage caused is evident by the silvery coloring and finally, dying off of leaves.

There is always something to be on the look-out for in the garden. These are just a few of the pests that can be found looking for a free lunch.

For information on controlling pests in the garden without chemicals, read; Eliminating Common Garden Pests and Weeds and Beneficial Predators.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida and IFAS