Velvetbean caterpillar has been coming into fields recently. This insect can be easy to control, so long as we are able to see it or anticipate it. The moth is readily recognizable by its landing posture displaying its wings outstretched with the line that goes from wingtip to wingtip. If larval populations (generally threshold near 8 worms/row ft for lapped non-stressed peanut) are already present in a field with feeding starting to defoliate peanut, most all worm insecticides we have available currently are effective, including inexpensive pyrethroids, though we do keep in mind if our particular land has been continually dry for awhile as pyrethroids can flare spider mites. I have not heard of much spider mites having been found in peanut so far this year, but conditions are suitable particularly if fields stay dry. If velvetbean caterpillar populations have not become established in a field yet, a preventative application of Dimilin (2 oz rate) provides excellent, inexpensive residual control but needs to go out ahead of the population, it will not work to kill worms already present. Dimilin can be applied at the same time when a fungicide is being sprayed, and it is worth considering particularly in our southern-more counties, even up to around the Orangeburg area.

Also attached is my article for the upcoming fall edition of the VC Peanut News with a few short considerations as we approach peanut harvest 2022.