The annual Crop Pest Losses surveys provide the data we use to document pest trends, evaluate changes in pesticide use, identify emerging challenges, and demonstrate the value of critical crop protection tools. These data have played an important role in supporting research priorities, Extension recommendations, and regulatory efforts to help protect the products our industry relies on.

Join us on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM–12:25 PM at the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center to hear the latest research updates and contribute to one of the longest-running pest management datasets in the desert Southwest.

4 AZDA CEUs Approved • California DPR CEUs Pending

It’s been anything but a smooth Spring melon season this year. Mild winter temperatures have contributed to the persistence of weeds and whitefly populations culminating in high viral pressure observed from the very first melon plantings onward. Through a collaborative effort between the University of California, USDA, and University of Arizona we would like to invite growers, PCAs, farm managers, researchers, and other stakeholders from the desert melon production regions in California, Arizona, and Mexicali to join us for a stakeholder meeting to discuss field observations and disease management research priorities.  

This meeting will provide an opportunity to review this season’s observations and trends across production areas, hear research and strategy updates from plant pathology specialists, and, most importantly, create space for discussion among stakeholders to better understand what is happening and give input on the disease management research priorities you want to see pursued moving forward. Topics and invited speakers include:

• Bill Wintermantel (USDA-ARS) – Overview of cucurbit viruses affecting desert melon production
• Arun Babu (UCCE Imperial)– Whitefly populations and insecticide efficacy trials in Imperial Valley
• Samuel Discua (University of Arizona, Yuma) – Whitefly populations and insecticide efficacy trials in Yuma, Arizona
• Chris Detranaltes (University of Arizona, Yuma)– Viruses and other pathogens recovered from symptomatic melon plants in Yuma, Arizona
• Ana M. Pastrana (UCCE Imperial) – Viruses and other pathogens recovered from symptomatic melon plants in Imperial Valley, California

Meeting details:
Where: AgWest Imperial 485 Business Pkwy, Imperial, CA 92251
When: June 2, 2026 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (lunch to follow until 1:00 pm)

Lunch will be provided. Please register here if you plan to attend so we can have an accurate food count and seating estimate: Registration Survey

If you have any concerns regarding the health of your plants/crops please consider submitting samples to the Yuma Plant Health Clinic for diagnostic service or booking a field visit with me:

Christopher Detranaltes, Ph.D. Cooperative Extension – Yuma County
Email: cdetranaltes@arizona.edu
Cell: 602-689-7328
6425 W 8th St Yuma, Arizona 85364 – Room 109 

VegIPM Update Vol. 17, Num. 5

March 4, 2026

Results of pheromone and sticky trap catches below!!

Corn earworm:  CEW moth activity seen in some areas, but numbers have been low; About average for this time of season.

Beet armyworm: BAW numbers decreased across most locations since last collection. Above average  for this time of the season. Historically BAW numbers peak in March/April.

Cabbage looper:  Cabbage  looper moth activity decreased across most sites since last collection, but  remains higher than average for late-February. Historically cabbage looper moth  numbers peak in March/April. 

Diamondback moth: Adult activity remains steady across most locations. About average for this time of the year. 

Whitefly: Adult activity remains low across all locations, about average for this time of year.  

Thrips:  Thrips adult activity remains steady across locations, about average for this time of year. Expect numbers to continue increasing as temperatures warm up.

Aphids:  Winged aphid numbers decreased at most sites since last collection; below average for this time of the year.

Leafminers: Adult leafminer activity remains steady, high numbers seen in Yuma Valley, about average for this time of the season.