Feb 6, 20252025 vegetable pest management survey reveals top grower concerns
Pest management remains a top priority for fruit, vegetable, and melon growers nationwide. The 2025 vegetable pest management survey conducted by Vegetable Growers News revealed the most pressing pest challenges and types of support growers seek to protect their crops from damaging insects.
Crop challenges growers face
In late 2024, growers reported battling more than 30 pests. Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), a vinegar fly that damages many fruit crops, emerged as the biggest threat, with 21% of respondents citing it as their top pest issue.
Worms — including armyworms, cutworms, earworms and melon worms — accounted for 17.5% of responses. Codling moths and stink bugs tied for third at 13.7%.
Japanese beetles, thrips, and aphids tied for fourth at 12.5%. Wildlife such as birds, deer, rodents, raccoons, and even monkeys accounted for 9% of reported challenges, tying with mites. Other pests included plum curculio (8%), whiteflies (6%), squash bugs (5%), caterpillars (5%), maggots (5%), cucumber beetles (4%), grasshoppers (4%) and nematodes (1%).
Growers also reported persistent challenges from the sucking bug complex, including leaffooted bugs, lygus bugs, and harlequin bugs.
Anticipating 2025 pest pressures
Looking ahead, growers anticipate SWD (18%) will remain their biggest challenge in 2025, followed by wildlife (14%), codling moths (11%), stink bugs, Japanese beetles, thrips, and maggots (8% each), and aphids and worms (5% each).
Other pests of concern included mites, plum curculio, whiteflies, squash bugs, nematodes, moths/leaf roller moths (4% each), caterpillars, cucumber beetles, and lanternflies (3% each), as well as grasshoppers (1%).
2025 vegetable pest management information sources
Growers rated Extension personnel as their most trusted source for pest management practices, with 34% ranking Extension at the top. Other sources included industry magazines (19%), crop protection company representatives (15%), other growers (14%), social media (11%), government resources (5%), and trade shows and conventions (1%).
When asked what publications could provide to better support vegetable pest management, growers listed:
- Inexpensive treatment options
- Cost-effective organic solutions
- Better OMRI-approved chemicals and soaps
- Hopper population control
- New chemistries for psylla, mites and aphids
- SWD trials with predators and organic practices
- Fungicide efficacy lists for fruit rots
- Biocontrol management plans for strawberries
- Information on new products and natural predators
Grower concerns and quotes
Interest in brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) management remained high. “Anything on BMSB. There is very little information on when to start trapping and when to spray,” one grower wrote.
Another respondent noted emerging resistance. “Cherry fruit fly is becoming resistant to some sprays, but it seems so one wants to hear it.”
Climate shifts are also changing pest pressures. One grower wrote, “Any new or effective soaps that work on leeks or the organic onion family, as the weather is shifting. Our dry and hot summers are a great breeding ground for thrips in many crops, cabbage, peppers, etc.”
Respondents also emphasized beetle control. “What products effectively control beetle crops? It’s gotten to a point where the preventative measures don’t work.”
Another grower urged ongoing reporting. “Continue reporting research about pests and the least invasive ways for dealing with them.”
Wide range of crops represented
Respondents reported growing tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, peppers, leafy greens, potatoes, cabbage, strawberries, sweet corn, broccoli, onions and melons. Some also grew asparagus, cauliflower, celery, sweet potatoes, eggplant, beets, leeks, peas, rhubarb, beans, garlic, amaranthus and herbs.
The survey showed 73% of growers farm less than 100 acres, 19% grow 100 to 499 acres, and 98% produce in open fields. Additionally, 19% grow in high tunnels and 15% in controlled environment or greenhouse systems.
— Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor
