Editors – Dr. Ashley Leach, State Extension Specialist- Specialty Crop Entomology, and Frank Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Wayne County. Contributions made from team members around the state of Ohio.
General Note
As issues (biotic or abiotic) are observed throughout the season, growers should consider the importance of supporting plant health through fertility management, both to address deficiencies as well as avoiding over fertilization. This can be especially important in older plantings, such as established perennial fruit crops, where this aspect of management may have been neglected. Taking soil tests and tissue tests is encouraged to get a better picture of overall plant health status. This discussion should also include consideration for the importance of transplant and seedling health management. While these management areas may have some seasonality to them, in reality, they are year round commitments that are foundational to integrated plant health management.
Fruit Crops
As the summer has progressed, insect issues have continued to be causing frustrations for fruit growers. Spotted wing drosophila have seemed to establish some significant populations, evident by consistently significant trap catches in small fruits. Other insect issues such as stink bugs have been found in the orchards, but populations remain fairly low and are mostly concentrated around the edges. Be sure to walk your blocks and check for any signs of stink bug activity.
Stink Bug trap in an orchard, F. Becker photo.
Codling moth and Oriental fruit moth trap counts have ticked up slightly from previous weeks. Numbers are still low and nearly all sites do not require intervention, but continue to monitor trap catches closely. Keep your apples protected from Apple maggot, which is still active and capable of infesting fruit. If you’re using a yellow card, spray when you catch 1 fly per trap; if using a red baited sphere, spray when you catch 5 flies per trap. Some growers have reported Japanese beetle feeding, particularly around the edges of orchards. This pest rarely causes major issues, but if your planting is young or stressed, consider an insecticide application.
Vegetable Crops
Photo Credit – Dr. Ashley Leach, OSU
Special to the Specialty Crop Team from Dr. Ashley Leach: Managing pests when pollinators are in the field is challenging, especially in crops like cucurbits, which face pressure from pests like squash bugs and cucumber beetles during bloom. Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) offers a realistic framework for managing pests while minimizing unintended harm to pollinators and beneficial insects.
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Monitor pest pressure and use thresholds when possible to guide insecticide decisions. For example, treating only when beetle densities exceed 1 per plant can reduce sprays, improve pesticide performance, and cut costs.
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Choose insecticides with lower toxicity to pollinators—such as kaolin clay (e.g., Surround) or acetamiprid—when applying during bloom. Apply in the late afternoon or evening to reduce bee exposure.
Photo Credit – Dr. Ashley Leach, OSU
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Avoid tank mixes with multiple broad-spectrum products, especially combinations with certain fungicides (e.g., sterol biosynthesis inhibitors), which can increase toxicity to pollinators.
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Leave unsprayed refuge areas or field borders, when feasible, to conserve pollinators and natural enemies that contribute to pest suppression.
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Rotate insecticides by mode of action to slow resistance and protect natural enemies that help keep secondary pests in check.
Interested in Turf & Landscaping
Please check out our turf team at buckeyeturf.osu.edu/outreach