Tarnished plant bug is a general flower and fruit feeder and infests a wide range of crop species. Control of this insect is important since feeding can cause deformed fruit. Macomb County relies upon ground sprays for pest control, so there is concern about timely insect and disease control. Scattered hail on July 27 and 28 did severe damage in some areas as well. Night-time temperatures remain warm and are in the low 60 s.
Commodity reports Sweet corn is widely available now but it is certainly a late season.
Harvest is moving into the midseason cultivars. European corn borer traps are beginning to catch a few moths again and one earworm appeared in the trap this week. Common rust is vivid on the leaves of later varieties. Keeping birds out of the crop and getting the corn out of the field and to market is as much of a challenge as anything right now. Early muskmelons and small watermelons are on the market and getting rave reviews from customers.