Author: Tom Bilbo

Question of the Week – Tachinid Fly Eggs

Oct 23, 2024 | In the Garden

What is on the head and back of this leaffooted bug? The oblong, white objects on this leaffooted bug (Leptoglossus oppositus) are eggs of a parasitoid fly (Trichopoda pennipes), which will hatch...

Question of the Week – Southern Purple Mint Moth

Oct 9, 2024 | In the Garden

Where did all the webbing and frass on this rosemary come from? This is from the Southern purple mint moth caterpillar (Pyrausta laticlavia). This caterpillar has been seen on rosemary throughout...

Question of the Week – Leaffooted Bug Eggs

Sep 25, 2024 | In the Garden

What is on this zucchini stem? These are eggs of a leaffooted bug (Leptoglossus spp.) found on a zucchini stem in a field in Charleston. Several species occur in SC that show up in fruiting...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – September 16, 2024

Sep 17, 2024 | In the Garden

The Pee Dee region is expecting rain from a potential tropical weather system this week. Fall crops are growing well with fairly low disease pressure. Caterpillar populations are climbing in places....

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- August 12, 2024

Aug 13, 2024 | In the Garden

The coastal region and Pee Dee saw lots of rain and flooding in places from Tropical Storm Debby last week. As field conditions improve this week, please document any crop or infrastructure impacts...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – May 28, 2024

May 28, 2024 | In the Garden

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss anything. Also, check out the latest episode of the SC Grower...

Question of the Week – Hover Fly Larva

Apr 24, 2024 | Entomology, In the Garden

What is this maggot-looking insect on the bottom of this strawberry leaf? This is a hover fly larva. Hover flies (Syrphidae), also called syrphid flies, are common bee-mimicking flies that are often...

Question of the Week – Thrips

Mar 13, 2024 | In the Garden

What is the tiny critter on the petal of this strawberry bloom? This picture shows a tobacco thrips (reduced wing form) crawling out of a strawberry flower at Clemson’s Coastal REC in Charleston....

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – 3/11/24

Mar 12, 2024 | In the Garden

We have lots of meetings coming up over the next few months, so be sure to keep a close eye on the Upcoming Events tab so you don’t miss anything. Coming up this week, we have the Upstate Apple...

SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- February 26, 2024

Feb 27, 2024 | In the Garden

We have lots of meetings coming up over the next few months, so be sure to keep a close eye on the Upcoming Events tab so you don’t miss anything. Coming up this week is the Pee Dee Vegetable...

What is It? Wednesday – Barklice

Jun 21, 2023 | In the Garden

These are barklice, AKA barkflies or booklice crawling on the bark of this crape myrtle tree. This species is probably Cerastipsocus venosus. Barklice are sometimes called “tree cattle” due to their...

What Is It? Wednesday – Parasitic Wasp Cocoon

May 17, 2023 | In the Garden

This is the cocoon of a parasitic wasp (Microplitis plutellae) that attacks and kills diamondback moth larvae. This wasp will lay an egg inside the caterpillar, where the wasp larva feeds before...