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Most Common Pests in Vegetables and Fruits in Virginia

Lorena Lopez, postdoctoral research associate at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center, will discuss the most challenging pests in vegetable crops such as squash, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, as well as fruits like strawberries and blueberries. She will describe different ways to monitor, suppress, and manage these pests using cultural practices, biological control, and low-risk pesticides.

Space is limited to 20 participants.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law

    Source : vsu.edu

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    Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

    Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

    Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

    George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

    With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

    Topics Covered:

    •Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

    •Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

    •Crop stage and seed colour change observations

    •Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

    •Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta