Three-Lined Potato Beetle

The three-lined potato beetle (Lema daturaphila) is part of the Chrysomelidae family of beetles. It originates from North and Central America but has since been reported causing economic damage to crops worldwide, such as the cape gooseberry in South Africa and potato in Australia. Though uncommon, the three-lined potato beetle has previously been documented in Utah. In August 2020, it was closely observed causing economic damage in tomatillo production on a commercial vegetable farm in rural Box Elder County, Utah. This fact sheet reviews three-lined potato beetle identification, life cycle, and look-alikes, damage, and management

Row Covers

In agricultural use, a row cover is a transparent or semitransparent material that is used over crops (typically vegetables) for a variety of purposes. As an integrated pest management tool, row covers act as a physical barrier that prevents the movement of pests such as insects, birds, and mammals, to host plants. This form of management is popular in organic production to avoid chemical application. Row covers are also used to shield crops from environmental factors like cold or hot temperatures, and wind. Commonly used methods of application include floating row covers, hoop-supported row covers (also called low tunnels), and plastic-covered trenches. This fact sheet reviews materials, construction, pest prevention, maintenance, and the advantages and disadvantages of row covers

Helping Utah Landowners Reduce Pesticide Use through a Statewide IPM Program

The Utah Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program provides outreach and education to Utahns to reduce pesticide use and ultimately protect human and environmental health. In 2022, the IPM program responded to stakeholders’ needs by partnering with county Extension offices to deliver eight (8) in-person workshops across the state. The workshops connected Extension specialists and county faculty with managers of home landscapes and farms. The objective of the workshops was to provide participants with IPM skills to identify, monitor, and manage pest problems in preparation for the upcoming growing season

The Backyard Garden - Leafy Greens Pests

This fact sheet provides information about the diseases that affect leafy greens. It includes general information, other hosts, disease symptoms to watch for, and management options

High Tunnel Pest Management - Thrips

This fact sheet describes thrips, their hosts, life cycle, crop injury, monitoring, and management in high tunnels

The Backyard Garden - Tomato Pests

This fact sheet contains information about pests and diseases that affect tomatoes. It includes general information and guidance on severity, other hosts, symptoms, and management

High Tunnel Pest Management - Caterpillars

In Utah high tunnel production, there are various caterpillar pests (larvae of moth and butterfly species) that cause economic damage to crops. Common caterpillar pest species found in Utah include hornworms, tomato fruit worms, imported cabbage worms, diamondback moths, cabbage loopers, armyworms, and cutworms. Various weed species growing inside or outside high tunnels can attract and harbor caterpillar pests. Managing caterpillar pests in high tunnels involves various mechanical, chemical, biological, and cultural control practices

Tomato Hornworm, Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata and Manduca sexta)

This fact sheet describes the tomato hornworm and the tobacco hornworm that cause similar damage to the same host plants. It includes hosts, identification, life cycle, signs and symptoms, monitoring, and management

Squash Bug Integrated Pest Management

This infographic reviews integrated pest management for squash bugs. It includes information on the following: resistant varieties of vegetables to plant and crop rotation, homemade traps, mechanical destruction, mulches, trap crops, natural enemies, and organic and synthetic insecticides

The Backyard Garden - Cole Crops Pests

This fact sheet contains information about pests and diseases that affect cole crops. Cole crops are plants that belong to the mustard (Brassica) family, including hardy, cool-season crops such as broccoli, kohlrabi, cabbage, rutabaga, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and turnips. The fact sheet offers general information and guidance on severity, other hosts, symptoms, and management