Cotton Update and Tropical Sod Webworm

Howdy,

  This last week has been rainier than most of us would've liked, but we're still getting the cotton out. Everything is still ginning okay. The seed quality is not great and the seed prices have gone down. We're still stressing that the cotton needs to be dry before picking, the seed quality is worse in modules that were wet. Not only is it hard on the seed, but the lint gets stained too. This year the lint has not been as bright white as it usually is. Below, you can see what some of the finished cotton is looking like when it gets packed into a bale and shipped off.

From left to right: cotton pulled from module, run through first set of cleaners, cleaned and ginned
Photo: Kate Harrell

Adult tropical sod webworm
Photo: James Kerrigan, University of Florida

  Tropical sod webworms are out and about right now. The caterpillars of these moths are a pest of turf. Feeding damage causes the grass to look ragged, and the spots will spread and get larger. To test an area for the caterpillars, sprinkle the grass with a solution of water and liquid dish detergent. The caterpillars will surface if they are present. I've seen the moths stirring while walking through grass.
  Give us a call or stop by the office if you have any questions. Keep picking and stay dry, everyone!

Sincerely,

Kate Harrell

From left to right: tropical sod webworm larval instars, pre-pupae and pupa
Photo: James Kerrigan, University of Florida

St. Augustinegrass residential lawn damaged by tropical sod webworm
Photo: Steven Arthurs, University of Florida