{"id":15430,"date":"2020-12-15T02:45:32","date_gmt":"2020-12-15T06:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/grow-organic\/organic-producer-directory-buy-organic-directory-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T16:43:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T20:43:40","slug":"pest-reports","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/farmer-resources\/pest-reports\/","title":{"rendered":"Pest Reports\/Alerts"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Pest Reports<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Pest Report is produced once every week or two during the growing season. It is a compilation of short discussions of pests and diseases either working the fields or soon to be seen. The discussions include biology of the pest organism, effects on the plant, and recommended solutions. Some of the pieces I write myself, some of them I pick up with permission from other crop advisors around New England and modify for organic growers. Often I learn about an approaching problem from folks in southern New England states where problems typically arise first, and I can pass on the warning to those of us up north anxiously awaiting arrival.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMany of the insects and disease are repeat offenders and appear every year around the same time. This is most commonly not a chance event. Rather, they have been holed up for the winter and somehow they receive a signal that it is their time to wake. Sometimes it is a chance event because some pests do not overwinter here and are simply at the mercy of the wind blowing them to our crops from the south or west. In any case, many of the articles may seem familiar because they, and the problems and solutions, are the same as last year. Many of the articles will be new because there may be some new solutions available, or sadly, because there are some new pests showing up in New England.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClick here to receive pest reports<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Read MOFGA\u2019s Pest Reports Fact Sheet Series<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"Gray<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStemphylium Gray Leaf Spot of Tomato\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot of Tomato Gray leaf spot can be caused by several fungal species in the Stemphylium genus. Stemphylium solani and S.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Two<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAphids\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Aphids Aphids are perhaps the soft-bodied insect pest most well-known to both farmers and gardeners. There are many different species of aphids, but green<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"PurpleBlotchOnOnion.EricSidemanPhoto\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFoliar Diseases of Alliums\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Disease(s): Common Foliar Diseases of Alliums This fact sheet discusses botrytis leaf spot (Botrytis squamosa), purple blotch (Alternaria porri), stemphylium leaf blight (Stemphylium vesicarium) and<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"White<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhite Mold\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) Pest\/disease lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is a widespread disease of over 300<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"tawny<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSlugs and Snails\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Slugs and Snails Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Land slugs and snails are closely related mollusks, known together<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"spider<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTwo-Spotted Spider Mites\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Two-spotted spider mites (Tetryanchus urticae) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Two-spotted spider mites are the most common mite<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Mexican<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMexican Bean Beetle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: If Mexican bean beetles have historically been a<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"ToBRVF<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) Disease identification: Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, otherwise referred to as ToBRFV, is a highly virulent and aggressive<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Puncture<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAllium Leafminer\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Allium Leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) First detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2015, Allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) is a potential threat to all<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"yellowish<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWaxy Breakdown of Garlic\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Condition: Waxy Breakdown (an abiotic disorder) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Waxy breakdown of garlic is a physiological condition<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"fine<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPowdery Mildew of Cucurbits\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Disease: Powdery Mildew of Cucurbits (Podosphaera xanthii and Erysiphe cichoracearum) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Management options: Powdery mildew<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"large<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHornworms\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Hornworms (Manduca sexta, M. quinquemaculata) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Hornworms are probably the most destructive insect that<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"asiatic<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tScarab beetles\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Scarab beetles (Asiatic Garden, Japanese, Oriental, Chafers) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: There are several species of scarab<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"basil<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBasil Downy Mildew\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Basil Downy Mildew (Peronospora belbahrii) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Downy mildew of basil was first reported in<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"golden<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tClavate and Golden Tortoise Beetles\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Tortoise beetle (species in the Cassidinae subfamily) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: There are many species of tortoise<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"blossom<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBlossom End Rot\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Blossom End Rot Blossom end rot is a familiar sight for many tomato growers, but it can affect other crops as well, such as peppers<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"early<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEarly Blight\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Disease: Early blight on tomato (Alternaria) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Early blight is a serious problem in tomatoes<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"garlic<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGarlic Anthracnose\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Anthracnose (Colletotrichum fioriniae) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: The fungus pathogen that is responsible for anthracnose on garlic<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCutworms\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Cutworms (many species) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Cutworms are occasional pests of many crops early in the<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"cucurbit<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCucurbit Downy Mildew\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Cucurbit downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Cucurbit downy mildew can be very destructive of<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"squash<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSquash Bug\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Squash Bug (Anasa tristis) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Squash bugs are serious pests of pumpkins and squash throughout<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Squash<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSquash Vine Borer\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Squash vine borer moths are day-flying moths with a<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"tarnished<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTarnished Plant Bug and Four-Lined Plant Bug\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pests: Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) and Four-Lined Plant Bug (Poecilocapsus lineatus) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: The tarnished plant<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\""hopperburn"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPotato Leafhoppers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Potato Leafhoppers (Empoasca fabae) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: The potato leafhopper has been arriving here in New England<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"cucumber<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStriped Cucumber Beetle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Striped cucumber beetle is our most serious early-season<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tColorado Potato Beetle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: As with most other insects and plants, there is<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSeedcorn Maggot and Other Maggots\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pests: Seedcorn maggot (Delia platura), Onion maggot (Delia antiqua), Cabbage maggot (Delia radicum) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Seedcorn maggot<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSeedling Problems and Compost-Based Potting Mix Problems\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Throughout the northern states, early spring is a time when many growers are starting seedlings in heated greenhouses and grow rooms. While these are much<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLeek Moth\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pests: Leek Moth (Acrolepiopsis assectella) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: Leek moth is a newer invasive pest of allium<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThree-Lined Potato Beetle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pests: Three-Lined Potato Beetle (Lema daturaphila) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common damage symptoms and crops affected: The favorite foods of the three-lined potato beetle<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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Pests: Spinach leafminer (Pegomya hyoscyami), Beet leafminer (Pegomya betae) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: These closely related species of leafminer<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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Pests: Imported Cabbageworm (Pieris rapae), Diamondback Moth (Platella zylostella), Cabbage Looper (Trichoplusia ni) The first sign of imported cabbageworm is typically one or more white<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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Pest: Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci) Pest\/disease Identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Onion thrips are active already, and if they have been<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGarden Springtails\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Garden Springtails (Collembolla) Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Springtails are a very diverse group of soil dwelling arthropods, that<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSunscald\/Windwhip\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Plants that have not yet been hardened off thoroughly, or can\u2019t get all the water<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFlea Beetles\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pests: Crucifer Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae), Striped Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta striolata), and Solanaceous flea beetles (in the genus Epitrix \u2014 E. cucumeris and E. fuscula)<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAsparagus Beetle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Asparagus Beetle, Common (Crioceris asparigi) and Spotted (Crioceris duodecimpunctata) Pest identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparigi) Blue-black,<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEdema\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pest: Edema Pest\/disease identification and lifecycle, most common symptoms and crops affected: Edema usually shows up on tomato seedlings when they have been waiting through<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2020
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2019
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2018
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2017
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2016
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2015
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2014
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2013
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFloating Row Cover Foils Potato Pests\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Jonathan Mitschele In late July 2017 I discovered that my potato plants were not doing well. Leaves were yellowing and the plants were not growing as expected. Suspecting some sort of blight, I sent photos to Eric Sideman at MOFGA. He thought the problem was potato leafhoppers and referred me to a MOFGA pest<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDealing with Pest Animals in the Organic Garden\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Will Bonsall Note: Certified organic producers should check with their certifier before using any pesticides (including pest repellents) not mentioned on their organic farm plan. When using pesticides on crops grown commercially and intended for human consumption, an applicator\u2019s license may be required. See\u00a0https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dacf\/php\/pesticides\/applicators\/licensing.html. One of the main problems with growing the foods we<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tA Frustrating New Brassica Pest The Swede Midge\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Swede midge larvae, circled Broccoli leaves contorted by swede midge larvae feeding Swede midge damage in broccoli Multiple heads of Veronica cauliflower \u2013 a result of swede midge feeding By Caleb Goossen, Ph.D. Photos by David Fuller Over the coming years, farmers and home gardeners in Maine will likely encounter damage on their brassica plants<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTend to browntail moth webs now\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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  Browntail moths. English photo March 1, 2020 If you find browntail moth webs within reach, clip them by mid-April and destroy the webs by soaking them in soapy water or burning them. Winter is the best time to clip webs due to the low risk of exposure to the caterpillars\u2019 toxic hairs, due to caterpillar dormancy,<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAnimal Pests in the Garden\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a0 Without a contiguous perimeter of metal deer fencing that is at least 8 feet tall, these animals are likely to enjoy your crops. \u00a0 Anyone can set a live trap anytime and relocate woodchucks, raccoons or skunks. By Caleb Goossen, Ph.D. The three most common mammal pests that gardeners ask me about are deer,<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAnother Maine Area Affected by Leek Moth\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Leek moth cocoon Adult leek moths A leek plant destroyed by leek moth larvae. By David Fuller Photos by the author Leek moth was identified in 2017 by Cooperative Extension in Jackman. Those populations have subsequently migrated south to Long Pond Township, a distance of about 10 miles. Now leek moth has also been found in Rangeley<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tControlling Pest Insects in the Organic Garden\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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One way to manage pest insects is to create habitat in your garden for beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Oxalic acid in the leaf blades (not petioles) of rhubarb can help repel flea beetles. Row cover, although a synthetic material, can last several years with care. An infusion of tansy, growing here with goldenrod, may<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tManaging Cabbage Aphids\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cabbage aphids on kale growing in a tunnel. Photo by Eric Sideman Habitat plants flowering among brussels sprouts. Photo by Becky Sideman By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. Although it may seem so, the cabbage aphid is not a new pest. My favorite discussion of this pest is in a 1928 text called “Destructive and Useful Insects, Their Habits and<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLeek Moth\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Leek moth. Photo by David Fuller Leek moth larvae on the inside of an onion leaf. Photo by David Fuller By Dave Fuller, Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Franklin County Leek moth (Acrolepiopsis assectella Zeller), a very destructive pest of all of the Allium genus, was first found in Jackman, Maine,<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNext Years Pest Management Begins Now\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Seedcorn maggots feeding on young spinach. Seedcorn maggots in soil amended with soy meal. European corn borer overwintering in a corn stalk. Early blight on lower leaves of tomatoes. Close-up of early blight on tomato. Late blight on potato. By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. Fall garden care is the beginning of spring  garden pest management. Many<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBeneficial Insects\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cocoons of a wasp that parasitized a tomato hornworm. Eric Sideman photo Beneficial insects are part of complicated relationships in ecosystems, and we are just beginning to understand those relationships, said Kathy Murray, Ph.D., an entomologist and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program coordinator with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Murray is also<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRow Covers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Kerstin Tengeler I am an organic vegetable farmer in St. Lawrence County in upstate New York. My partners and I use row covers on our 4-acre farm to extend our growing season and to protect our crops from insects and deer. Because minimizing the use of plastics that end up in landfills is important<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLeafhoppers Again?\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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These apple leafhopper nymphs and adult show the shape of the insect.  Potato leafhoppers are the same shape but greenish in color. Photo courtesy of Don Barry, Univ. of Maine Pest Management Office. By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. MOFGA’s Director of Technical Services Last year towards the end of June and early July, I started to<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDrosophila\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Figure 1 \u2013 The female spotted wing Drosophila (fruit fly), a new pest in New England, uses her serrated ovipositor to make a hole in sound fruit and lay her eggs, which develop into larvae in the fruit. Photo courtesy of Alan Eaton of the University of N.H. By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. I am usually<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPotato Beetle\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. Director of Technical Services, MOFGA I can understand farmers who tell me they\u2019re tired of hearing about the new USDA Rule and the regulation of organic vegetable production. I have said many times that the new rule is really 99% similar to MOFGA\u2019s old standards, and I still claim that. Then<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPest Control\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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A Natural System Just Dying for Balance By Jean English Michael Zuck gave an inspiring talk at MOFGA and Cooperative Extension\u2019s Farmer to Farmer Conference about using teosinte and other plants as \u201cbanker plants\u201d in greenhouses \u2013 plants that support pests that, in turn, support beneficial insects. English photo. Michael Zuck\u2019s fascination with nature\u2019s multiple<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSideman Summer 09\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. Does summertime bode many afternoon hours in the hammock thinking about what’s good in the garden to go with that hamburger hot off the grill \u2013 or hours of worrying what could go wrong in that garden, which looks so good this early in the season? Balancing fun with fret is<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPesticide Regs\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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The OMRI categories that may include pesticides are: amino acids Bacillus thuringiensis Beauveria bassiana biological controls boric acid botanical pesticides calcium polysulfide copper products corn gluten diatomaceous earth enzymes nonsynthetic fungicides gibberellic acid nonsynthetic herbicides hydrogen peroxide inoculants lime sulfur limonene neem cake and extract nonsynthetic nematicides narrow range oils nonsynthetic oils pheromones potassium bicarbonate<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHelping Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Toki Oshima illustration. By Jan Suszkiw, Agricultural Research Service Information Staff People aren\u2019t the only ones to benefit from salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. Spraying this naturally occurring compound onto some plants triggers natural defenses that keep harmful fungi, bacteria and viruses at bay. Plants have always had some means to defend themselves,<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGarlic Oil\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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An oil made from garlic can be mixed with a percentage of bird seed and fed to starlings in areas that you want them to avoid. After a taste of the garlic oil-impregnated seed, they\u2019ll do just that. Photograph from Corel Corporation, used with permission. by John K. Borchardt Garlic repels more than just vampires.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tPests\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Squash bug. Photo credit: 1 By Eric Sideman, Ph.D. Fall chores are my favorites. At no other time do I have more hope for a successful garden than the fall before. Autumn is even better than spring, especially last spring when we all realized very early in April that it was not going to be<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCarrot Rust Fly\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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by Eric Sideman, Ph.D. I have lived in the same house in Greene, Maine, for over 20 years, and the carrot rust fly has been a problem only one of those years. But it was awful that one year, and while I was discarding carrot after carrot from the root cellar that winter, I kept<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pest Reports The Pest Report is produced once every week or two during the growing season. It is a compilation of short discussions of pests and diseases either working the fields or soon to be seen. The discussions include biology of the pest organism, effects on the plant, and recommended solutions. Some of the pieces […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":0,"parent":1150,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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Farmers and Gardeners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pest reports offer farmers and gardeners timely updates on pests of concern and how to address them using organic methods.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/farmer-resources\/pest-reports\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pest Reports\/Alerts | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pest reports offer farmers and gardeners timely updates on pests of concern and how to address them using organic methods.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/farmer-resources\/pest-reports\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners\" \/>\n<meta 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