Food Safety Training Season Starting

Fall and winter are the prime time for food safety training.  We will be starting in October with basic hands-on training for anyone starting to farm or wanting a basic refresher.  That is followed by a two day online Produce Rule Training.  This training is required for most fresh fruit and vegetable growers before the New Jersey Department of Agriculture inspects the operation.  See the details below on dates and how to register.

 October

Hands-on Produce Safety Workshop: Wednesday, October 8 from 10 am-2 pm EST.

This hands-on produce safety class in Cream Ridge, NJ is for farm owners, farm employees, farm managers, and those thinking about starting a farm. The class is focused on the various actions that can be part of a strong produce safety plan whether you have one or are just getting started. These activities include building a DIY hand-washing station, assessing wildlife risks in the field and developing an action plan, an interactive cleaning and sanitizing demonstration, and more.

December

Two-day online Food Safety Modernization Act: Produce Safety Rule Training: December 9 – 10.

You’ll need to attend both days to receive a certificate, and you must always have a camera on during the training according to the Produce Safety Alliance Online Training Policies.

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under a standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

For more information on any of these classes or to sign up go to: Our Trainings – Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety (onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu)

 

Spanish Course for Ag Workforce – Registration Open

People shaking hands in a field with the sun setting behind themThe Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education will host a course on ‘Spanish for Ag and Horticulture Workforce’ from January 16-March 6, 2026. This is an online, self-paced course with approximately 21 hours of course content designed to help participants study conversational Spanish and gain technical vocabulary specific to those in the agriculture and horticulture workforce.

There is a registration fee of $825 per person. Register by January 9, 2026 for the early bird registration rate of $795.

For more information and to register, visit https://cpe.rutgers.edu/spanish-for-ag-and-horticulture-workforce.

Veg IPM Update 8/22/25

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

Sweet Corn

Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures have increased and are now in the typical range for late August, with most southern and central locations needing 3-day spray intervals (see map). When temperatures are high (>85 degrees F), shorten the spray interval by one day. Rotation is important for avoiding resistance, and there are four IRAC groups that are registered in silking sweet corn: 1 (carbamates), 3 (pyrethroids), 5 (spinosyns), and 28 (diamides). CEW is at least partly resistant to several pyrethroids, so a spray program should not rely solely on pyrethroids, although they can be useful in tank-mixes or as pre-mixed products, such as Besiege or Elevest (Group 28 + Group 3). For detailed information about resistance and potential spray programs, the University of Delaware has an excellent resource on corn earworm management.

Spray intervals based on nightly pheromone moth captures for the southern part of New Jersey. Note that not all locations in the IPM program are currently trapping. This map is based on the following thresholds: 0 moths = 6-7 day schedule, 1 moth = 5 day spray schedule, 2-20 moths = 4 day spray schedule, 20+ moths = 3 day spray schedule.

We’re seeing fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in many locations. Young larvae will cause damage known as “window paning”, in which the top surface of the leaf is eaten away, leaving behind thin, white, membranous-looking scratch marks. As the larvae get bigger, these feeding marks become more ragged (A). The damage can look somewhat similar to European corn borer feeding, but FAW damage will be more severe and will lead down into the whorl. The caterpillars have a dark head capsule with a distinct, inverted Y-shaped suture (B). They can also be identified by four dark dots arranged in a square on their last segments. We use a treatment threshold of 16% fresh feeding damage in pre-tassel corn. Below this level, treatments for FAW are unlikely to pay off. For treatment, we recommend using products other than diamides (IRAC Group 28) when treating whorl-stage infestations, as diamides are important to save for silk protection. Effective products include Lannate (Group 1A), Radiant (Group 5), Intrepid (Group 18), Intrepid Edge (5+18), and Avaunt (Group 22). Note that Avaunt can only be used through tassel push.

Fall armyworm damage (A) and larva (B). Note the distinctive suture on the head, which will differentiate FAW from other caterpillar pests of corn. Photos by Amanda Quadrel

We continue to see corn leaf aphids in sweet corn tassels and ears. In high numbers they can reduce pollination or cause honeydew and sooty mold on ears that harm marketability. Pyrethroids can flare up aphids by disrupting the natural enemies that typically control them. If you’re seeing a lot of aphids on corn tassels, you can start your CEW spray rotation with Lannate (group 1A), which has some efficacy for aphids. Come back a week later and check ear tips for aphid populations. If they are high, as in the below picture, use a product more targeted for aphids, such as Assail 30SG or 30 SC (group 4A), Transform WG (group 4C), or Sivanto Prime (group 4D). Keep in mind that Transform WG and Sivanto Prime have 7 day PHIs.

Close up of the silks and leaves at the tip of a corn ear with many blue-green aphids clustered on the leaf.

Corn leaf aphids on the tip of an ear. Note blue-green color with dark tail pipes (also called cornicles), legs, and antennae. Picture by Maria Cramer.

Tomatoes

Throughout New Jersey we’re continuing to see high thrips counts both in tunnels and in the field.  Thrips management is especially important because of their ability to vector tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a growing problem in New Jersey where we have resistance-breaking strains. There have been many outbreaks of TSWV (in both peppers and tomatoes) throughout south Jersey this season. Scouting and roguing out these plants while continuing to manage thrips can help contain losses. Additionally, follow best management practices for reducing TSWV risk throughout the season.

For scouting, we consider 1-5 thrips on 10 leaves to be a low count and more than 5 thrips a high count. Other guides suggest a treatment threshold of 3-5 thrips per flower or the presence of stippling damage on fruit. Western flower thrips, the primary vector of TSWV, has resistance to pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates (broad-spectrum insecticides that can also often result in flare-ups of secondary pests), so do not use these for management. Group 5 insecticides (e.g. Radiant, Entrust) historically have given the best control, but growers have been finding resistance throughout south Jersey. If you have applied Radiant or Entrust and have not gotten good control, your local thrips populations may be resistant. Group 5 insecticides can also only be used twice per season in a planting. Lannate (Group 1A) gives the next best knockdown in cases where thrips are bad. Beleaf 50SG (Group 29) can be very effective applied through drip irrigation, but takes a while to decrease thrips populations. Other options include Group 28 products with the active ingredient cyantriniliprole (e.g. Minecto Pro, Verimark, Exirel), Assail 30SG (Group 4A, active ingredient acetamiprid), Movento (Group 23, active ingredient spirotetramat), and Requiem EC (no group, active ingredient Chenopodium extract). Many products only suppress thrips, meaning they kill larvae but not adults, or kill only the active life stages (larvae and adults, not the egg or pupal stages). Rotate between active ingredients and try to avoid getting to very high thrips numbers which are more difficult to knock back down.

Top picture shows curled tomato leaf with brown circles covering it. The bottom picture shows a pepper plant with distorted, slightly cupped leaves, and yellow markings, including circles, on many leaves.

A) TSWV on a tomato leaf. Note the circle-shaped brown lesions. B) TSWV on a pepper plant. Note the distortion of leaves all over the plant as well as the yellow wavy lines and circles visible on leaves. Photos by Maria Cramer.

We’ve seen some fruit damage from caterpillars, and tomato fruitworm (AKA corn earworm), beet armyworm, and hornworms on plants and fruit. There are no reliable thresholds for determining when to spray for these caterpillar pests, however scouting and consulting the corn earworm pressure map for the state will help give a sense of risk to the crop. When corn earworm pressure indicates a 3 or 4 day spray interval in corn (2-20 moths per night) as is currently the case in much of the state, tomatoes should be scouted weekly for feeding damage. Beet armyworm moth numbers in traps in Salem and Cumberland counties have been low (>5 per night). Pyrethroid resistance is widespread in tomato fruitworm/corn earworm and beet armyworm, so other classes of insecticides should be used if management is needed.

We continue to see high spider mites in many plantings. Spider mites tend to be worse in hot, dry conditions, and especially thrive in tunnels. Their populations often dramatically increase following broad-spectrum insecticides, which reduce their natural enemies. The first sign of their presence is often light-colored stippling seen on the top surface of tomato leaves. The mites causing this damage are usually found on the undersides of leaves, though with bad infestations mites will be found on the upper surface as well. For spider mites, Nealta (IRAC 25) and Oberon (IRAC 23) are effective materials that are more friendly to beneficial insects, but Portal (IRAC 21A) and other materials can also be used to manage populations.

Tomato leaves with tiny yellow or white dots on visible on the top surface of the leaf.

Spider mite stippling visible when looking at tomato leaves from above. The spider mites are generally found on the undersides of the leaves. Photo by Maria Cramer.

Peppers

In terms of most insect pests, peppers have been looking very good. We have seen aphids, spider mites, and thrips at low levels so far, however it’s important to keep in mind that thrips can transmit TSWV to peppers as well, and so monitoring and staying on top of thrips populations is crucial. As with tomatoes, finding and roguing out infected plants is important as well. See previous section for an example of TSWV symptoms in peppers.

As a reminder, we have found pepper weevils on pepper weevil traps in Cumberland and Salem Counties this summer. Read more about pepper weevil biology and management here. If you think you may have pepper weevil on your farm or are interested in monitoring, please contact Maria Cramer.

Cole Crops 

We are seeing flea beetle and caterpillar (diamondback moth, imported cabbageworm, and cross striped cabbageworm) activity in fall cole crop plantings. For flea beetles, treatments are justified if 50% of plants are infested. For caterpillars, seedlings can tolerate up to 10% infestation. For heading cole crops between early vegetative and cupping, the treatment threshold is 30%. As heads form, the treatment threshold goes down to just 5% infestation. Sprayable Bt products (IRAC 11A) such as Dipel, Xentari, or Javelin can be effective on young imported cabbage worm caterpillars. Other materials approved for caterpillar control include Entrust/Radiant (IRAC 5), Proclaim (IRAC 6), Torac (IRAC 21A), and Exirel (IRAC 28). Diamondback moth (the primary caterpillar found in southern NJ) has resistance to many insecticide groups, and pyrethroids (IRAC 3A) and Bt products (IRAC 11A) are not effective for their management. For Bt products and contact insecticides, coverage on the undersides the leaves is essential.

Two caterpillars on brassica leaves. Diamondback moth caterpillar on the left is smooth and tapered at each end. Imported cabbageworm on the right is fuzzy.

Left: Diamondback moth caterpillar, showing characteristic tapering at each end. Right: Imported cabbageworm caterpillar showing characteristic fuzziness. Pictures by Maria Cramer.

Pumpkins and Other Cucurbits

Cucurbit downy mildew was first reported on 7/11/25 on cucumbers in central NJ and has been found on cucumbers and cantaloupe at the Snyder Research Farm in Pittstown. Growers should be applying protectants on cucumbers and cantaloupes for cucurbit downy mildew at this time. As of this post, we haven’t found any instances of the disease on pumpkins, squash, or watermelon. For information on how to build an effective cucurbit down mildew control program, please reference this post by Dr. Andy Wyenandt and consult the Mid-Atlantic Production Guide for additional materials that can be used.

Cucurbit downy mildew symptoms on the upper surface (A) and underside (B) of cucumber leaves and symptoms on cantaloupe (C). Photos by Amanda Quadrel

In pumpkins, we’ve seen few insect issues, although adult squash bugs and egg masses are starting to appear. Consider treating for squash bug if you see more than one egg mass or group of nymphs per plant (see photos below).

Squash bug eggs (A), newly hatched nymphs (B), and an adult (C). Photos by Amanda Quadrel

Powdery mildew has shown up in most scouted sites. If more than one leaf in a 50 leaf sample is infected, fungicide programs for powdery mildew should be initiated.

Powdery mildew on pumpkin leaf. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

We have also seen some fields with substantial amounts of mosaic virus. Mosaic viruses in pumpkins are aphid-vectored with wild cucurbits and several non-cucurbit weed species serving as reservoirs for the virus. Aphid control is the primary approach to mosaic virus management in pumpkins, however even with low aphid numbers we have seen mosaic virus. Plants infected prior to fruit set often show significant symptoms in fruit and leaves and may not produce fruit. Roguing out plants with virus symptoms can help prevent in-field transmission.

Two pictures. Top picture shows a pumpkin plant with distorted shiny-looking leaves. The bottom picture shows an immature pumpkin that is mostly yellow with green rings of varying sizes all over.

Mosaic virus symptoms in A) leaves and B) fruit. Pictures by Maria Cramer (A) and Renee Carter (B).

We have also seen isolated cases of anthracnose, bacterial wilt, plectosporium, and phythophthora root rot. A preventative diseases management plan based on recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic Production Guide is important for suppressing many of these diseases. If you suspect diseases in your pumpkins (or other cucurbits), reference the “Diagnosing important diseases in Cucurbit crops” guide or send/bring samples to Rutger’s Plant Diagnostic Lab.

As always, please consult the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for a comprehensive list of materials that are labeled for specific crops and pests. As always, be sure to follow label rates and application instructions.

The Vegetable IPM Program wishes to thank the following Field Technicians, without whom much of the information presented weekly here would not be available:

Southern team: Renee Carter, Kris Szymanski, and Nick Vergara

Northern team: Martina Lavender, Coco Lin, and Cassandra Dougherty

Fall Vegetable Twilight Meeting

Fall Vegetable Twilight Meeting  (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

Norz Hill Farm & Market, LLC.120 S Branch Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844 

Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm 

AGENDA 

4:00 pm – 4:15 pm Welcome, load wagons, wagon ride to field  

4:15 pm – 4:45 pm  Drone Seeding Winter Cover Crops into Pumpkin  

Peter Nitzsche, Agricultural Agent , Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County  

4:45 pm – 5:15 pm  Small Farm Robotic Equipment for Weed Control in Vegetable Production  

Thierry Besançon, Extension Specialist – Weed Science for Specialty Crops , Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station  

5:15 pm – 5:45 pm  Vegetable IPM Program Update  

Amanda Quadrel, Sr. Program Coordinator – Vegetable IPM, Rutgers Cooperative Extension  

5:45 pm – 6:15 pm  Update On Important Diseases in Vegetable Production  

Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist – Vegetable Pathology , Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station  

6:15 pm – 6:20 pm  Wagon ride to tent  

6:20 pm – 6:30 pm Meal provided by Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey  

6:30 pm – 7:00 pm  Worker Protection Standard: Checklist for Compliance  

Kate Brown, Agricultural Agent , Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County  

 

MEETING CO- SPONSORED BY THE VEGETABLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

CORE, 1A, AND PP2 Pesticide Recertification Credits have been requested from NJDEP for this meeting – TBD.

TO REGISTER: Complete this registration form or call the RCE Somerset County office at 908-526-6293 ext. 4. 

Questions? Email Kate Brown, Agricultural Agent with RCE Somerset County, at kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Mid-August Peach and Nectarine Varieties for New Jersey – New and Standard

Gloria: Developed by the Rutgers Tree Fruit Breeding program. A large, globose to slightly ovate, 60-90% scarlet red over yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed, freestone peach ripening from August 16-22. The flesh is very firm with low acid and good, very sweet and sub-acid flavor. The tree is vigorous, spreading, and very productive with low susceptibility to bacterial spot. A unique variety because of its very attractive color, low acidity, and lasting flesh firmness. The bloom is late and extended compared to other varieties; hence, in a frost year, Gloria is more likely to avoid full crop loss. It has a very firm flesh that is slow to soften. Fruit physical and chemical (taste) properties of standard and new peach varieties grown in mid-August are described in Table 1. [Read more…]

Veg IPM Update 8/15/25

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

Sweet Corn

Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures are staying steady with 4-day spray intervals in most of the south and some 5- and 6-day intervals in the north (see map). When temperatures are high (>85 degrees F), shorten the spray interval by one day. Rotation is important for avoiding resistance, and there are four IRAC groups that are registered in silking sweet corn: 1 (carbamates), 3 (pyrethroids), 5 (spinosyns), and 28 (diamides). CEW is at least partly resistant to several pyrethroids, so a spray program should not rely solely on pyrethroids, although they can be useful in tank-mixes or as pre-mixed products, such as Besiege or Elevest (Group 28 + Group 3). For detailed information about resistance and potential spray programs, the University of Delaware has an excellent resource on corn earworm management.

Spray intervals based on nightly pheromone moth captures for the southern part of New Jersey. Note that not all locations in the IPM program are currently trapping. This map is based on the following thresholds: 0 moths = 6-7 day schedule, 1 moth = 5 day spray schedule, 2-20 moths = 4 day spray schedule, 20+ moths = 3 day spray schedule

We’re seeing fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in many locations. Young larvae will cause damage known as “window paning”, in which the top surface of the leaf is eaten away, leaving behind thin, white, membranous-looking scratch marks. As the larvae get bigger, these feeding marks become more ragged (A). The damage can look somewhat similar to European corn borer feeding, but FAW damage will be more severe and will lead down into the whorl. The caterpillars have a dark head capsule with a distinct, inverted Y-shaped suture (B). They can also be identified by four dark dots arranged in a square on their last segments. We use a treatment threshold of 16% fresh feeding damage in pre-tassel corn. Below this level, treatments for FAW are unlikely to pay off. For treatment, we recommend using products other than diamides (IRAC Group 28) when treating whorl-stage infestations, as diamides are important to save for silk protection. Effective products include Lannate (Group 1A), Radiant (Group 5), Intrepid (Group 18), Intrepid Edge (5+18), and Avaunt (Group 22). Note that Avaunt can only be used through tassel push.

Fall armyworm damage (A) and larva (B). Note the distinctive suture on the head, which will differentiate FAW from other caterpillar pests of corn. Photos by Amanda Quadrel

In southern New Jersey we’ve seen an uptick in corn leaf aphids in sweet corn tassels and occasionally on ears. In high numbers they can reduce pollination or cause honeydew and sooty mold on ears that reduce marketability. Pyrethroids can flare up aphids by disrupting the natural enemies that typically control them. If you’re seeing a lot of aphids on corn tassels, you can start your CEW spray rotation with Lannate (group 1A), which has some efficacy for aphids. Come back a week later and check ear tips for aphid populations. If they are high, as in the below picture, use a product more targeted for aphids, such as Assail 30SG or 30 SC (group 4A), Transform WG (group 4C), or Sivanto Prime (group 4D). Keep in mind that Transform WG and Sivanto Prime have 7 day PHIs.

Close up of the silks and leaves at the tip of a corn ear with many blue-green aphids clustered on the leaf.

Corn leaf aphids on the tip of an ear. Note blue-green color with dark tail pipes (also called cornicles), legs, and antennae. Picture by Maria Cramer.

Tomatoes

Throughout New Jersey we’re continuing to see high thrips counts both in tunnels and in the field.  Thrips management is especially important because of their ability to vector tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a growing problem in New Jersey where we have resistance-breaking strains. There have been many outbreaks of TSWV (in both peppers and tomatoes) throughout south Jersey this season. Scouting and roguing out these plants while continuing to manage thrips can help contain losses. Additionally, follow best management practices for reducing TSWV risk throughout the season.

For scouting, we consider 1-5 thrips on 10 leaves to be a low count and more than 5 thrips a high count. Other guides suggest a treatment threshold of 3-5 thrips per flower or the presence of stippling damage on fruit. Western flower thrips, the primary vector of TSWV, has resistance to pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates (broad-spectrum insecticides that can also often result in flare-ups of secondary pests), so do not use these for management. Group 5 insecticides (e.g. Radiant, Entrust) typically give the best control, but growers have been finding resistance throughout south Jersey. Group 5 insecticides can also only be used twice per season in a planting. Group 28 products with the active ingredient cyantriniliprole (e.g. Minecto Pro, Verimark, Exirel) can be good alternatives. Other products than can be used for thrips in tomatoes include Assail 30SG (Group 4A, active ingredient acetamiprid), Movento (Group 23, active ingredient spirotetramat), and Requiem EC (no group, active ingredient Chenopodium extract). Many products only suppress thrips, meaning they kill larvae but not adults, or kill only the active life stages (larvae and adults, not the egg or pupal stages). Rotate between active ingredients and try to avoid getting to very high thrips numbers which are more difficult to knock back down.

Top picture shows curled tomato leaf with brown circles covering it. The bottom picture shows a pepper plant with distorted, slightly cupped leaves, and yellow markings, including circles, on many leaves.

A) TSWV on a tomato leaf. Note the circle-shaped brown lesions. B) TSWV on a pepper plant. Note the distortion of leaves all over the plant as well as the yellow wavy lines and circles visible on leaves. Photos by Maria Cramer.

We’ve seen some fruit damage from caterpillars, and tomato fruitworm (AKA corn earworm), beet armyworm, and hornworms on plants and fruit. There are no reliable thresholds for determining when to spray for these caterpillar pests, however scouting and consulting the corn earworm pressure map for the state will help give a sense of risk to the crop. When corn earworm pressure indicates a 3 or 4 day spray interval in corn (2-20 moths per night) as is currently the case in much of the state, tomatoes should be scouted weekly for feeding damage. Beet armyworm moth numbers in traps in Salem and Cumberland counties have been low (>5 per night). Pyrethroid resistance is widespread in tomato fruitworm/corn earworm and beet armyworm, so other classes of insecticides should be used if management is needed.

With consistent hot temperatures, we’re seeing more spider mites in tomato plantings. Spider mites tend to be worse in hot, dry conditions, and especially thrive in tunnels. Their populations often dramatically increase following broad-spectrum insecticides, which reduce their natural enemies. The first sign of their presence is often light-colored stippling seen on the top surface of tomato leaves. The mites causing this damage are usually found on the undersides of leaves, though with bad infestations mites will be found on the upper surface as well. For spider mites, Nealta (IRAC 25) and Oberon (IRAC 23) are effective materials that are more friendly to beneficial insects, but Portal (IRAC 21A) and other materials can also be used to manage populations.

Tomato leaves with tiny yellow or white dots on visible on the top surface of the leaf.

Spider mite stippling visible when looking at tomato leaves from above. The spider mites are generally found on the undersides of the leaves. Photo by Maria Cramer.

Peppers

In terms of most insect pests, peppers have been looking very good. We have seen aphids, spider mites, and thrips at low levels so far, however it’s important to keep in mind that thrips can transmit TSWV to peppers as well, and so monitoring and staying on top of thrips populations is crucial. As with tomatoes, finding and roguing out infected plants is important as well. See previous section for an example of TSWV symptoms in peppers.

As a reminder, we have found pepper weevils on pepper weevil traps in Cumberland and Salem Counties this summer. Read more about pepper weevil biology and management here. If you think you may have pepper weevil on your farm or are interested in monitoring, please contact Maria Cramer.

Cole Crops 

We are seeing flea beetle and caterpillar (diamondback moth, imported cabbageworm, and cross striped cabbageworm) activity in fall cole crop plantings. For flea beetles, treatments are justified if 50% of plants are infested. For caterpillars, seedlings can tolerate up to 10% infestation. For heading cole crops between early vegetative and cupping, the treatment threshold is 30%. As heads form, the treatment threshold goes down to just 5% infestation. Sprayable Bt products (IRAC 11A) such as Dipel, Xentari, or Javelin can be effective on young imported cabbage worm caterpillars. Other materials approved for caterpillar control include Entrust/Radiant (IRAC 5), Proclaim (IRAC 6), Torac (IRAC 21A), and Exirel (IRAC 28). Diamondback moth (the primary caterpillar found in southern NJ) has resistance to many insecticide groups, and pyrethroids (IRAC 3A) and Bt products (IRAC 11A) are not effective for their management. For Bt products and contact insecticides, coverage on the undersides the leaves is essential.

Two caterpillars on brassica leaves. Diamondback moth caterpillar on the left is smooth and tapered at each end. Imported cabbageworm on the right is fuzzy.

Left: Diamondback moth caterpillar, showing characteristic tapering at each end. Right: Imported cabbageworm caterpillar showing characteristic fuzziness. Pictures by Maria Cramer.

Pumpkins and Other Cucurbits

Cucurbit downy mildew was first reported on 7/11/25 on cucumbers in central NJ and has been found on cucumbers and cantaloupe at the Snyder Research Farm in Pittstown. Growers should be applying protectants on cucumbers and cantaloupes for cucurbit downy mildew at this time. As of this post, we haven’t found any instances of the disease on pumpkins, squash, or watermelon. For information on how to build an effective cucurbit down mildew control program, please reference this post by Dr. Andy Wyenandt and consult the Mid-Atlantic Production Guide for additional materials that can be used.

Cucurbit downy mildew symptoms on the upper surface (A) and underside (B) of cucumber leaves and symptoms on cantaloupe (C). Photos by Amanda Quadrel

In pumpkins, we’ve seen few insect issues, although adult squash bugs and egg masses are starting to appear. Consider treating for squash bug if you see more than one egg mass or group of nymphs per plant (see photos below).

Squash bug eggs (A), newly hatched nymphs (B), and an adult (C). Photos by Amanda Quadrel

Powdery mildew has shown up in most scouted sites. If more than one leaf in a 50 leaf sample is infected, fungicide programs for powdery mildew should be initiated.

Powdery mildew on pumpkin leaf. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

We have also seen some fields with substantial amounts of mosaic virus. Mosaic viruses in pumpkins are aphid-vectored with wild cucurbits and several non-cucurbit weed species serving as reservoirs for the virus. Aphid control is the primary approach to mosaic virus management in pumpkins, however even with low aphid numbers we have seen mosaic virus. Plants infected prior to fruit set often show significant symptoms in fruit and leaves and may not produce fruit. Roguing out plants with virus symptoms can help prevent in-field transmission.

Two pictures. Top picture shows a pumpkin plant with distorted shiny-looking leaves. The bottom picture shows an immature pumpkin that is mostly yellow with green rings of varying sizes all over.

Mosaic virus symptoms in A) leaves and B) fruit. Pictures by Maria Cramer (A) and Renee Carter (B).

We have also seen isolated cases of anthracnose, bacterial wilt, plectosporium, and phythophthora root rot. A preventative diseases management plan based on recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic Production Guide is important for suppressing many of these diseases. If you suspect diseases in your pumpkins (or other cucurbits), reference the “Diagnosing important diseases in Cucurbit crops” guide or send/bring samples to Rutger’s Plant Diagnostic Lab.

As always, please consult the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for a comprehensive list of materials that are labeled for specific crops and pests. As always, be sure to follow label rates and application instructions.

The Vegetable IPM Program wishes to thank the following Field Technicians, without whom much of the information presented weekly here would not be available:

Southern team: Renee Carter, Kris Szymanski, and Nick Vergara

Northern team: Martina Lavender, Coco Lin, and Cassandra Dougherty