A summary of findings from HTPE on-farm demonstrations undertaken with specialty vegetable producers is as follows:

• There are remarkable differences between using 50 percent shade cloth in a drought year than in a cool, wet year. In studies conducted in 2016, which was a drought year, and 2017, which was a cool, wet year, the shade cloth successfully stopped cabbage and soybean looper moths by 40 to 97 percent with no outbreaks at various locations. Armyworm moths were reduced 43 to 70 percent. There have been no tomato hornworm issues inside the tunnels since the moths are very big and cannot go past the 50 percent shade cloth. This system makes vegetable production very profitable inside the netted tunnels.
• Producers interested in growing squash and other cucurbits inside the tunnel should know that squash vine borers (figure 3) can be significantly reduced using a 50 percent shade cloth. A 40 percent shade cloth allowed honey bees to pollinate the crop. For higher grades of shade cloth, producers can use a bumblebee box inside the high tunnel to pollinate cucurbit crops.
• The shade cloth must be tightly installed and clamped on the sides to prevent insects from sneaking in. Many insects such as leaf-footed bugs and armyworms appear to be very good at exploiting any wear and tear in the fabric. Armyworms were seen laying eggs on the fabric at weak places, and small caterpillars then migrated to crops by crawling in. Egg masses should therefore be removed immediately.
• There is a significant improvement in crop quality as a result of reduced caterpillar and sucking insect pest numbers by using a 40 or 50 percent shade cloth around the side and end walls. In a drought year, when insect outbreaks may occur early and pest pressures may be high (as seen in 2016), it is a good idea to use 50 percent woven shade cloth with wide openings to maximize pest exclusion. In a cool, wet year, when the pest lifecycles are delayed and pest pressures are moderate, a 40 percent shade cloth may be sufficient to stop large moths and leaf- footed bugs.
• Since aphids and whiteflies remain a problem in netted tunnels (they are too small to stop), producers can use other light insect exclusion materials such as Super-Lite Plant Insect Barrier or Row Cover Pro19 along with beneficial predators and parasitoids to prevent colonization.
• Thus far, only black shade cloth has been evaluated since it is very commonly used and readily available. Custom cut and finished woven fabric is available at 26 to 50 cents per square foot from Poly-Tex. Check with your local vendors for material availability.