Got Beetles?
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Anyone that takes care of a pool knows that inthe last couple of weeks you've probably been fishing out a bunch of brown or brownish silver "bugs". These "bugs" aremostly Orientalbeetles, June Bugs and Asiatic garden beetles. These beetles, along with Japanese Beetles are the adults of the "whitegrub" complex that affects many lawns, but can also affect many different vegetable and small fruit crops. Theadults can feed on leaves of plants such as sunflowers, basil, raspberries, carrots,beets and a 100 other different plants. Japanese beetles can also be found in the silks of sweet corn whenpopulations are high. Although that canbe a problem, the majority of the damage in vegetables comes from the larvae or "white grub" stage feeding on the roots of several different root crops such as sweet potato, carrots and even Irish potatoes. Their long narrow tunnels can cause many roots to be unmarketable. I dusted off an old article written by former Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist Amy Ivy on how to identify the different beetles and grubs that might be lurking in your fields, lawn and pool!
Got Grubs? (pdf; 746KB)
Upcoming Events
Soil Health Workshop for Vegetable Growers
December 5, 2024
Schaghticoke, NY
Join us for presentations and discussions focusing on soil health concepts and best management practices for vegetable growers. Topics include tarping, maintaining soil health in high tunnels, cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost microbiology, and more!
1.75 DEC pesticide recertification credits available in categories 1A, 10, and 23.
Cost: $30 per person
Housing and Farmland Value Impacts of Large-Scale Solar Facilities in New York State
December 9, 2024 : Housing and Farmland Value Impacts of Large-Scale Solar Facilities in New York State
For this lunchtime webinar, Cornell Dyson school agricultural and extension economist Wendong Zhang will share recent research findings that examines the property value impacts of large-scale solar facilities and energy infrastructure for residential homeowners as well as farmland owners.
Agritourism Webinar Series
October 8, 2024 : Creating Value-Added Items/Experiences
Creating Value-Added Items/Experiences
November 12, 2024 : Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm
Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm
December 10, 2024 : Agritourism Accessibility
Agritourism Accessibility