Arkansas pumpkin pest arrives early, growers urged to scout
By Sarah Cato
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
While the cooler temperatures have many Arkansans gearing up for fall, melonworm has found its way into the state’s pumpkin patches and extension horticulture specialist Aaron Cato is urging growers to scout early and often.
Melonworm is a pest of cucurbit crops — a family that includes pumpkins, squash and watermelons — that feeds on plant foliage and fruit, usually etching pumpkin rinds just under the stems, causing handles to pop off, or where the fruit contacts the ground. Often confused with pickleworm, melonworm is a different, tropical moth species that migrates to Arkansas from coastal regions. Because melonworm doesn’t overwinter in Arkansas, its arrival varies year to year, typically beginning in early to mid-September, but sometimes as early as August.
“Melonworm was found infesting pumpkin plants on August 19 in Hope and on August 26 and 27 in Fort Smith, Conway and Newport,” said Cato, who specializes in horticulture integrated pest management for the Division of Agriculture. “These reports indicate melonworm have moved across the entire area and there is a high risk of infestations in all pumpkins, winter squash and other cucurbit crops.”
Cato said this early arrival could put the pest on a similar trajectory as last year , where many growers observed significant infestations and incurred losses. However, with frequent scouting, melonworm infestations can be controlled.
Scouting and control methods
Cato said growers should be scouting pumpkins for melonworms one to two times a week, even if they haven’t seen signs of infestations.
“Focus early scouting efforts on the first signs of melonworm, which include feeding on the underside of leaves and in new growth,” Cato said. “It’s also important to keep an eye out for moths and rolled leaves. Fruit injury can occur very quickly after melonworm arrive, so fruit should be scouted for injury even when melonworm haven’t been observed.”
Melonworm moths have white, almost translucent, wings with a brown outline. Larvae are green caterpillars with two longitudinal, white stripes down their back and four sets of prolegs.
Cato recommends an insecticide application as soon as melonworm larvae or moths are observed in pumpkins, winter squash, or other cucrbits.
“We recommend growers have a diamide insecticide like Coragen eVo or Beseige on hand and apply as soon as you find any melonworm larvae or moths,” he said. “If growers are already spraying a weekly pyrethroid for control of other pests they can expect melonworm to be suppressed as well. Our data indicate that weekly applications of insecticides with short residuals, such as pyrethroids or even Bt, will suppress melonworm as well as the diamide insecticides, however, diamides offer 21 days of residual activity and most consistent suppression of fruit injury in previous trials.” More information on melonworm and control options can be found in Cato’s blog.
Mention of product names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Terry Rice
LITTLE ROCK – Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, superintendents and school boards will learn to adjust to a new system of property and casualty insurance.
It’s called SCIP for short. That stands for the State Captive Insurance Program that was created by legislation enacted earlier this year in Act 779 to create a new Office of Property Risk, which will manage insurance for schools, institutions of higher education and state-owned property.
Legislative sponsors, school administrators and officials at the state Insurance Department spent a long time writing the bill, and since its passage they have worked long days transitioning to the new system.
Severe weather events and damage they cause were the driving force behind Act 779, and its companion measure, Act 560. Dramatic increases in the cost of insurance was the reason that in 2023 the state distributed almost $11 million to help school districts pay premiums. Many schools did not have viable options in the private insurance marketplace.
A consultant for the legislature reported that insurance programs for Arkansas school districts had seen their premiums triple in cost between 2021 and 2024.
In short, the property insurance programs for public schools, state-supported institutions of higher education, and state-owned properties “are in a state of crisis.”
The legislature approved Act 779 to provide a long-term solution to ensure the stability of property insurance programs. The effect of natural disasters on the insurance marketplace resulted in the need for legislators to restructure and unify the insurance programs that previously covered schools, colleges, universities and state agencies.
For the current school year the deductible will be $25,000 per occurrence, except if the school district has a total insured value of more than $100 million. In that case the deductible is $50,000.
The director of the new Office of Property Risk told legislators that his staff would continue working in the coming months to achieve the right balance between deductibles and premium prices. “If you want a lower deductible, you are going to have a higher premium,” he said.
Evaluations are continuing, so schools may see changes in minimum deductibles being phased in over the next couple of years.
Many properties owned by institutions of higher education have traditionally been undervalued and need to be reappraised by independent adjusters. From last year to this year the deductible for athletic facilities at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is increasing from $250,000 to $1 million per occurrence. If a single natural disaster damages the football, basketball and baseball stadiums, the university would have to pay only one deductible.
Earlier in August the Legislative Council approved the addition of seven new positions for the new Office of Property Risk. The new office is within the larger Department of Shared Services. The new employees will have salaries ranging from $58,000 to $87,000 a year.
The new SCIP insurance program concluded that the replacement value for Razorback Stadium Bud Walton Arena, Baum Stadium and a long list of other athletic facilities on campus would be $1.37 billion.
Stone Cold Lock of The Week: Week 0
The first week of High School football is finally upon us!
First and foremost, our hearts go out to the Danville community who lost Senior Nate Foster this past week. It is in these moments we are reminded that time on this Earth is not guaranteed and is unjustly cruel sometimes. It is a all too familiar feeling that no community, family, and football team should have to go through. We witnessed it too many times in the Greenwood community last school year with the passing of sisters Candence and Chloe Walters, Isaiah Arrington, Wendy and Vivian Medrano, and Kylynn Nolan. If one thing is true, it made the community stronger through togetherness. Just as the communities did for Greenwood and Charleston after the passing of Jasper Archey, we ask that you wrap your arms around the Danville community.
Stone Cold Lock of The Week
Bismarck vs Mansfield
Last year’s Semi-Finalist vs last year’s State Runner-Up. This is the matchup you would like to see in the first week of the season. Hooten’s Pre-Season poll has Mansfield at #8 and Bismarck at #6. While the Tigers lost two Burtons (Daniel and Samuel) they have several more for the Class 3A to deal with. The Senior heavy Tigers open with what might be the best game in the state regardless of classification.
The Rest of Them
Bentonville West vs Greenwood
The Bulldogs open the 2025 season with a lot of hype but as Head Coach Chris Young said on the Prep Rally “Title Town” documentary, they start zero and zero. Bentonville West is much improved from the young team they fielded last year. During the summer, the Wolverines got the better the Bulldogs in 7-on-7 action. Greenwood has some fresh faces on the Defensive side of the ball but do not let that fool you. It has been that way for the past few seasons, and they still find the right combo. Offensively, unless you have been disconnected from the internet since this time last year, that QB Kane Archer is back for one final lap with Champ Davis, Cooper Bland, Cody Taylor, and a host of others.
Clarksville vs Ozark
This game was moved from Clarksville to Ozark. The Hillbillies have 2025 Class 3A State Championship winning coach Josh Watson at the helm. Did he bring the Salem Greyhound magic down Hwy 23 with him? Time will tell. After last year’s uncharacteristic four win season which saw Waldron pull off an upset in the conference opener, hopes are riding a bit higher along the Arkansas River.
Booneville vs Poteau, OK
This was my second choice for the Stone Cold Lock of The Week, because both teams have been consistently deep in the play-offs in either state. The tried-and-true rushing offense of Booneville is hard to stop or not admire. I mean if it is not broke why try anything else? An experienced Senior Bearcat team will match up well to the talented Pirates. Think “Unstoppable force meets an immovable object.” Calling it now, but if the Bearcats are not undefeated going into the State Championship game on December 13th at noon, I will be surprised. No pressure or anything Booneville.
Waldron vs Paris
This was the first of two victories for Waldron last season that got my attention. There is something building there in Scott County? Coach Doug Milholen is back for a second year giving the Bulldogs some much needed consistency. Paris brings back Senior Jayden Carter, who tried to be everywhere all at once in a first-round playoff loss to Mansfield. He played defense, he played offense at receiver and quarterback, he was on special teams, and I’m fairly sure he probably drove the team bus to the game. The last one was a tiny fib, but these are two programs needing to start the 2025 season in a big way.
De Queen vs Mena
Last year Mena was undefeated all the way up to Week 10 when they faced the Creed Vega led Dardanelle Sand Lizards. The Bearcats would bow out in the second round to eventual Class 4A State Runner-Up Elkins. Two losses to two extremely talented 4A teams is nothing to hang your head low about. It was a fun resurgence. 2025 they are picked third in conference behind Dardanelle and Clinton. De Queen is picked eighth in the 5A South Conference after a 3-7 effort in 2024.
Hackett vs Danville
Danville has a lot to play for in Week 0. Hackett could play the spoiler to teams in the 1-3A this season if things click for the Hornets.
Dover vs Lavaca
For the past two seasons of Stone Cold Lock of the Week, I have this anticipation for the Golden Arrows. A team just on the cusp of making the 1-3A a four-team race, but alas I am wrong. So, this year I am going to try something different. Reverse anticipation, yeah, that should do it. It worked when I made a pick for Booneville last year. Maybe, I will get them some good vibes and aura this year. Head Coach Nick Stovall is in his second year at Lavaca.
Magazine vs Cedarville
An intriguing matchup with both teams picked to finish seventh in their conference. Could be a sneaky competitive game that is flying under the radar.
Battle of Rogers Ave
Fort Smith Northside vs Fort Smith Southside
Remember when this game was one of the largest rivalries in the state? Back when they were in the same conference and Northwest Arkansas did not have two high schools in every town north of Fayetteville. Before both Fort Smith schools got bounced around to different conferences when the top classification fractured. 2016-2022 The Grizzlies owned Rogers Ave bragging rights. The last two years Southside was able to get the better of Northside. I just do not think Northside has what they need to get past Southside to stop the slide.
| Games | Ross’ Picks | Adam’s Picks |
| LOTW Bismarck vs Mansfield | Mansfield | Mansfield |
| Bentonville West vs Greenwood | Greenwood | Greenwood |
| Clarksville vs Ozark | Ozark | Ozark |
| Booneville vs Poteau | Booneville | Poteau |
| Waldron vs Paris | Waldron | Waldron |
| De Queen vs Mena | Mena | Mena |
| Hackett vs Danville | Hackett | Hackett |
| Dover vs Lavaca | Dover | Dover |
| Magazine vs Cedarville | Magazine | Cedarville |
| FS Northside vs FS Southside | Southside | Northside |
Better breakfast month: Why breakfast matters
By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Good timing and the right foods can turn breakfast into a something of a superpower — a meal that can improve cognition, memory and metabolic health.
Breakfast — that first meal after sleeping — is important because of what happens to our bodies while we sleep, said Lida Araghi, assistant professor and extension specialist in nutrition and food safety for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“Metabolism never fully sleeps. Essential functions continue overnight, but after 8-12 hours of fasting, blood sugar and insulin are lower and liver glycogen is partly depleted,” she said. “Breakfast restores blood glucose, stimulates insulin response, and provides the brain and muscles with fuel.
“This is why many people feel more alert and energized after eating in the morning,” Araghi said. “Sleep quality affects morning metabolism: poor sleep impairs insulin sensitivity, raises cortisol, and disrupts hunger hormones” including reducing leptin, which tells the body it’s full and increase ghrelin, which tells the body to eat more.
Timing
Chrononutrition is a discipline that examines the links between time and food and their combined effect on the body. The body has its own clock — the circadian rhythm — which regulates biological processes.
Araghi said that “eating in sync with circadian rhythms supports metabolic health. Front-loading calories earlier in the day lowers risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic disruption.”
On the other hand, “poor sleep increases appetite and carb cravings; a balanced breakfast helps stabilize metabolism and appetite in the morning,” she said.
Intermittent fasting is an area that has received more attention in the media and has become a focus of research.
Araghi said time-restricted eating in a 14-16 hour fasting window is being studied for benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation, as well as autophagy, the process by which cells repair damage.
“Some adults may find benefits, but evidence is mixed,” she said. “This is not recommended for children, teens, or people with certain health conditions.
Cognition
Research has shown that breakfast means improved attention, memory, and executive function, especially in undernourished children,” Araghi said. “School breakfast programs boost test scores, attendance, concentration, and mood.”
In adults, breakfast can help produce modest, but consistent memory gains, she said.
“Across 45 studies, breakfast improved attention, executive function, and memory in the mid-to-late morning. Low-glycemic index meals — ones that cause only slow rises in blood sugar rather than spikes — had the most consistent benefits.”
Araghi said there is some evidence breakfast before exercise supports endurance and recovery, though findings are still emerging.
Breakfast as balancing act
“Balance is key. Combining protein, complex carbs and healthy fats works best,” she said.
Key players on the breakfast table and their advantages:
- Complex carbs such as whole grains, fiber-rich fruits produce steady glucose and enable sustained focus.
- Protein brings amino acids that support neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin that aid memory and attention.
- Healthy fats such as nuts and seeds provide long-lasting satiety and brain health.
“A small study found walnut-rich breakfasts improved memory and reaction time, likely due to omega-3s and polyphenols,” Araghi said.
Omega-3 fatty acids aid cell function and are found in high concentration in the eyes and brain. Polyphenols can have antioxidant properties and also help with blood flow and pressure.
Find food and nutrition information online from the Cooperative Extension Service.
Contact your county extension Family and Consumer Science agent for more recipes and ideas.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
