Recent Posts
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In the southern region of Georgia, recent bouts of warmer than normal weather and earlier than normal emergence of leaves has led to the question of whether there is currently a risk of mummy berry infections developing. According to the mummy berry model developed by Dr. Harald Scherm (UGA), as of January 15th, 2019 there remains…
Posted in: Disease Management -
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive and economically important pest of many soft-skinned fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and other. Since its first detection in California in 2008, SWD spread rapidly across the United States. It was first found in Georgia in 2010 and since then…
Posted in: Pest Management -
Flower thrips are chronic pests of both southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries in the southeastern United States. Thrips are minute (1 to 1.3 mm long) insects with slender body and usually yellowish to orange in color. Adults have long thin wings fringed with fine hairs (Figure 1). Females are generally larger than males. Both adults…
Posted in: Pest Management -
Following the damage to blueberries in Georgia caused by recent freezes, the threat exists for subsequent damage from fungal pathogens. On tissues already damaged by the freezes, two fungal pathogens of particular concern are Botrytis and Botryosphaeria. Botrytis The fungus Botrytis cinerea causes Botrytis flower blight and fruit rot on blueberry. Cold-damaged blooms, shoots, and…
Posted in: Disease Management -
The weekend of March 3rd was cold enough to cause damage in southern highbush. Extension agents have observed damage in Pierce and Ware Counties. During the last few weeks, both southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries have moved through bloom stages rapidly. As we all well know, developing fruit is very susceptible to freeze meaning when…
Posted in: Uncategorized -
In the southern region of the state, leaf emergence on blueberries coupled with recent rains and warmer temps leads to the question of whether mummy berry will be an issue (infections at green tip or early bloom, whichever comes first). Mummy berry disease epidemics are set-up by the synchronized release of fungal ascospores and the…
Posted in: Disease Management -
The reports of blueberry gall midge infestations in Georgia blueberries have become more common over the last couple of years. Although blueberry gall midge has historically been referred to as a rabbiteye problem, recently it has been reported to be a concern in some southern highbush fields. The majority of the highbush infestations were primarily…
Posted in: Pest Management -
Posted in: Pest Management
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Posted in: Pest Management
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Early reports suggest that damage to the plants from wind may include toppled plants, broken stems, and loss of leaves. However, rains were heavy and reported to be upwards of 8.5 inches over a 48 hr period in our prime blueberry growing regions of southern Georgia. Many plantings may have been inundated, which increases the…
Posted in: Uncategorized