Stink bugs have been showing up in soybean fields in south western Ontario in noticeable numbers over the past 2 weeks and reports of stink bug numbers from Ohio are showing a similar trend. We may see more stink bug in the soybean crop this year then in previous years so it’s time to be on the look out for…
Although we are missing some data from a few trap locations it appears as if most of the province has experienced peak flight for WBC. We hit peak flight earlier this year then in previous years but this consistent with what we have seen with other Lepidoptera pests this year. Counties with an asterisk “*” indicates small trap catches or…
Reports of two spotted spider mite in some corn fields have been coming in. This pest is not normally a problem in corn but due to the hot, dry weather this year spider mites are showing up in numbers high enough to cause visible damage. Spider mite infestations start at the field edge and move inwards. On the corn plant,…
Peak flight is a bit difficult to pin point this week because there is some data missing from our week 10 trap reports however, we have received some missing data from previous weeks so I can provide information on peak flights for some counties and possible peak flights for others. Some areas are still experiencing increasing numbers and will likely…
Since we’ve been getting a bit of rain across the province in the last week I’ve been asked about how the rain will affect spider mite populations in soybeans. Rains are very beneficial to help keep populations of spider mites down but don’t assume that because it rained our spider mite problems are over. If mite populations in the field…
The butterfly enthusiasts had a good spring this year with the early arrival of the red admiral butterfly and large flights of other species. Unfortunately for us, that also meant some pests also arrived in great numbers. Speaking of pests has anyone seen this caterpillar in soybeans? This is the larval stage of the painted lady butterfly called a thistle…
Tom Cowan July 9, 2012 2181 Comments Off on Western Bean Cutworm Trap Counts Going up; Time to Check for Eggs!Our WBC trapping network has been catching relatively few moths over the past weeks but last week some higher numbers were reported. These numbers are still a bit behind what I would have expected considering the warmer weather but the trend is towards increasing numbers. Just last week the scouts were finding quite a few WBC egg masses on corn…
So far, areas south of the 401 appear to be hardest hit by armyworm in southern and central Ontario. Eastern Ontario is starting to report armyworm in wheat so producers in those areas should be out scouting fields. We have been seeing quite a size variation in the armyworm larvae this year which is likely due to staggered egg laying…
I’ve had a few calls in the past few days asking about armyworm and black cutworm damage in soybeans. I had the chance to get out to a few fields and found that the damage is being caused by the variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia). The variegated cutworm is another migrating moth that comes into Ontario in the early spring around…
They’re here early this year! We’ve been hearing reports of true armyworm numbers getting fairly high in some wheat fields and even above threshold in some cases. I think it’s a good time to post a refresher on armyworm management. In Cereals Armyworms typically feeding in the lower leaves of the wheat and work their way upwards. Feeding is done…
The weather is certainly warming up and it looks like the forecast is for more of the same. Things are getting busy and I’ve got a few things to talk about this week. The first is the start of the Western Bean Cutworm Trapping network. Traps should be set up this week and the data should start coming in soon. …
There have been some reports of alfalfa weevil causing damage in some stands and I was out this week to have a look at some fields. The weevils are certainly out there. Considering that some alfalfa fields are hurting from frost damage, some produces may consider holding off on the first cut to let the plants build up more reserves…
Alfalfa Weevil Reports from Michigan and Iowa indicate that alfalfa weevils were activity is early this year. We’ve had some fairly warm weather earlier this spring and the weevils likely have had a bit of a head start. I was out in some fields in Oxford this week and I found some early instar larvae so the weevils are out…
As we gear up for the 2012 season we are again looking for participants in the Western Bean Cutworm Trap Network monitoring program. Of particular need is to have more traps in Elgin and Haldimand/Norfolk County. Information on the trap network can be found on the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition website. If you would like to participate e-mail wbctrapnetwork@gmail.com or contact Tom…
