A number of experienced growers are indicating that the current drought is one of the worst that can be remembered. Drought related problems being reported include salt injury to crops in some isolated cases, floral abortion, and a widespread increase in the level of blossom end rot on tomatoes and other crops among other problems listed above. Armyworm counts are on the rise across the area. A number of growers are reporting significant increases in beet armyworm and southern armyworm in tomato and pepper. Although sprayable thresholds have been reached in a number of cases, crop damage has been minimal to date.
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. Rindworm damage attributed mostly to southern armyworms and tomato fruit worms - has been noted on melons. Crop damage has been minor for the most part although again growers are reporting having to use harsh chemicals to obtain control in some cases.