Grass Sawflies Clipping Heads in Wheat Too

There have been a number of reports of heads being clipped in wheat.  Some of it can be blamed on armyworm, but some cases (at least in Rodney) have been due to larvae known as grass sawflies.  These larvae are green to green-yellow in colour with a yellow brown head.  They look like caterpillars but […]

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Armyworm Alert – SCOUT SCOUT SCOUT

I have heard reports now from a few different locations of both wheat heads being clipped and leaf feeding taking place in corn in southwestern Ontario.  This is a good sign that true armyworm is present. Both wheat and corn fields need to be scouted to determine if armyworm is present.  Here is an article […]

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Cutworms Continue to Mine and Cut

Calls continue to come in of feeding damage found even in corn larger than 5 leaf stage.  Some of the larger plants (6-7 leaf) are being mined into at the base of the plants and smaller plants are being cut off.   In most of the cases, the culprit is black cutworm.  Though it is odd […]

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Moist Soils Brings Forth Different Kinds of Pests

Gaps in the stand are starting to show this week.  Aside from the typical culprits, moist soils can promote the less often accused. Millipedes are typically a beneficial arthropod that breaks down crop debris and decaying plant material.  However, in the last few years, we’ve been seeing more direct feeding by them.  What is happening?  […]

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Pest Alerts for this Week

It was a busy weekend for pest activity. Flea beetles in canola continue to be a problem in some areas of the province, particularly Owen Sound, New Liskeard and Meaford.   This hot weather is ideal for them to get ahead of the crop.  Scout frequently to determine if thresholds have been reached. The Ontario […]

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WBC Trap Supply Pick Up Days Next Week

Attention WBC Trap Participants – Pick up your trap supplies next week Supply pick up dates have been set for next week.   Those who have contacted us and agreed to monitor WBC traps this year can pick up their supplies at the following locations. Please bring a cooler with you or plan to go home […]

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Cereal Leaf Beetle Activity in Clinton Area

Leanne Freitag (of Cargill) informed me this afternoon of some cereal leaf beetle activity in the Clinton area.  Adults and eggs were easily found recently and larvae are expected to be feeding soon.  Given that the wheat is already near or in the boot stage, it is very important to protect the flag leaf from […]

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Cereal Leaf Beetle Activity in Ohio

Ohio colleagues report finding cereal leaf beetle adults and eggs in wheat at various locations there.  Ontario usually sees a few hot spots with CLB infestations around the same time that Ohio does so be on the look out. Best way or worst way to scout, depending on who does your laundry at home, is […]

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Expect Early Activity

What a spring so far.  Things are happening fast.  Given the warm start to the season, we should expect an early start for many of our early season insect pests too.  Consider scouting at least 2 weeks earlier than norm.  Alfalfa weevils should be active shortly if they are not already (anyone find any yet?).  […]

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