February 2025 - 20

INSECTS
2025 pest
survey report
Growers provide insight into most pressing insect challenges
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER
ASSISTANT EDITOR
ree fruit, berry, grape and
melon growers across the
nation are prepared to tackle
another season that may be filled
with challenges from pests. A
recent survey conducted by Fruit
Growers News shed light on the most
prevalent pest issues and concerns,
as well as the type of support being
sought to combat the hurdles caused
by damaging insects.
T
Crop challenges
In the survey, conducted in late
2024, fruit and vegetable growers
listed more than 30 pests they
battle, from spotted wing drosophila
(SWD), a vinegar fly that can cause
damage to many fruit crops, to lygus,
bugs that attack many vegetable
crops and often tree fruits. Polled
about the most significant insect
challenges they face, growers listed
an array of pests.
SWD emerged as the biggest
identified pest threat, with up to
21% of respondents stating the
pest of East Asian origin was the
most troublesome to their groves,
vineyards and fields.
A combined category of worms,
including army worms, cut worms,
ear worms and melonworms,
constituted 17.5% of responses.
Coddling moths and stink bugs
tied for third place, accounting for
13.7% of responses.
At 12.5%, Japanese beetles, thrips
and aphids tied for fourth as the
most troublesome insect pests.
Wildlife, of all types - birds, deer,
rodents, snails/slugs, raccoons,
possums and even monkeys - can
cause significant damage to fruit
and vegetable crops. Growers
rated wildlife pests as 9% of their
surveyed pest troubles.
Also at 9% were mites. Additional
challenges included plum curculio
(8%), whiteflies (6%), squash bugs
(5%), caterpillars (5%), maggots (5%),
cucumber beetles (4%), grasshoppers
(4%) and nematodes (1%),
The sucking bug complex, leaf
footed bugs, lygus bug and the
harlequin bug were reported by
growers as persistent problems in
groves, vineyards and fields.
Continue reporting research about pests and least
invasive ways of dealing with them. "
20 | FEBRUARY 2025
2025 worries
As 2025 progresses, growers
noted they anticipate continued
challenges from pests. Growers
listed SWD at 18%; wildlife 14%;
codling moth 11%, stink bugs,
Japanese beetles, thrips and
maggots respectively 8%; and
aphids and worms each at 5%.
Other insect pests growers
expressed concerns about harming
their groves, vineyards and fields
included mites, plum curculio,
whiteflies, squash bugs, nematodes
and moths/leaf roller moths, each at
4%, caterpillars, cucumber beetles
and lanternflies (3% each) and
grasshoppers (1%).
To help better manage pest
control, growers ranked where
they prefer to receive updated pest
management practices information.
On a scale of 1 being the most
important and 5 being least,
growers rated university Extension
personnel at the top (34%). Other
sources of pest information
included industry magazines (19%),
crop protection companies/field
reps (15%), other growers (14%),
social media (11%), government
resources (5%), and trade shows
and conventions (1%).
When queried about information
publications could provide them that
would be helpful in addressing the
February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025
