Hop Pest: Eastern Comma Butterfly

UVM Extension Agriculture: Northwest Crops and Soils Program While spikey and rather exciting looking with a remarkable set of eyebrows, the Eastern comma (Polygonia comma) is generally perceived as a pest with no economic importance. However, this might be because the Pacific Northwest, where most of...

The Two Spotted Spider Mite in the Northeast Hopyard

By Steve Miller, Cornell Hops Specialist The two spotted spider mite (TSSM) (Tetranychus urticae Koch) is a common pest of many crops and ornamentals. Hop growers, landscapers, arborists, and vegetable and fruit growers are familiar with these small 8 -legged creatures that are more closely related to...

Managing Powdery Mildew of Hops in the Northeast

Rosalie Madden, UVM Extension Crops and Soils Technician Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Agronomist Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis (Wallr.) U. Braun & S. Takam ) is one of the predominant fungal diseases that you might encounter in your hopyard. Any pest issue in your crop can be daunting but a...

Potato Leafhopper Damage in Hopyards

Savanna Kittell-Mitchell, NW Crops and Soils Program Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Agronomist Recently, injury and even death of hop plants from potato leafhopper feeding has been observed in Vermont. Leafhoppers are damaging insects that have an appetite for more than 200 crops. The potato leafhopper...

Spider Mite Destroyers and Spined Soldier Bugs!

There are numerous insects in every hopyard, some of which are pests, some of which can be very beneficial. Knowing the difference can reduce pesticide applications. Spider mite destroyers and spined soldier bugs are two of the “good guys.” Learn more about these beneficial...