Pest identification
and confirmation—Downy mildew
Downy mildew growth may initially be confused with powdery mildew. However, the two diseases differ in
several important ways. Downy mildew produces spores mostly on the undersides of leaves and only after
rain or very heavy fog. Spores disappear soon after leaves dry out. Powdery mildew does not require water
on the leaf surface for spore formation, and the powdery growth appears on both sides of leaves. Generally,
there is more mycelium found on plants infected with powdery mildew than on plants infected with downy
mildew. Characteristic of downy mildew are the angular spots found on the leaves. |
Downy
mildew on cantaloupe leaf
Powdery
mildew on cucurbit leaf
|
