A typical scenario starts with potato, where thrips build up and then move to melons when the potato vines are desiccated. Numbers then rise to high levels across successive melon plantings. Beans are also prime candidates for growing and releasing large numbers of thrips. A good strategy would be for growers not only to destroy infested crops in a timely manner but also to kill as many thrips as possible. Application of a tank mix, of something like Lannate plus Guthion, at the highest labeled rates and plenty of water followed by thorough disking should help minimize possible movement from older plantings to younger crops.
Armyworms are widely present across the area.
A number of growers are reporting significant numbers of beet armyworm and southern armyworm in cantaloupe, pepper, tomato and watermelon. Pinworms are widely present and increasing on tomato. Pheromones appear to be working for the most part although some respondents are reporting that they have had to resort to harsh chemicals in order to obtain control. There have been no reports of fruit damage. Several reports of pickleworms have been received from widely scattered sites.