Soybean aphids (SBA) have been reported in a few early planted soybean fields. But that doesn’t mean we need to panic. It has been a few years since we have had major aphid issues so it is good to review what the best management practices are. Especially given one of the main reasons we no longer deal with soybean aphids…
The European corn borer (ECB; Ostrinia nubilalis), has been an important pest of corn and other crops in eastern Canada for nearly a century now but is also known to be a sporadic pest in western Canada. Despite its name, ECB is actually a generalist feeder, having a wide range of hosts. Although corn is one of its preferred hosts,…
Alfalfa weevil and potato leafhopper (PLH) are being reported as extremely high in many fields. Hot dry conditions have made it more favourable for these pests than their natural enemies (especially entomopathogenic fungi). Scout fields to determine if cutting is possible or if an insecticide application is necessary if thresholds are reached. Consider fields at threshold if both pests are…
Tracey Baute May 27, 2021 271 Comments Off on Introducing the New Adult Corn Rootworm Trap Network – Trap Participants NeededSeveral US states and Canadian provinces are joining forces to monitor for adult corn rootworm (CRW) beetles this year. Though some US states have been monitoring adult rootworm beetles using sticky traps for several years now, trapping for CRW is relatively new for Ontario. Weekly trap data for all trap sites involved will be collected and mapped in real-time by…
We are gathering cereal leaf beetle (CLB) data again this year to help validate growing degree day models generated by AAFC-Saskatchewan. If you are out scouting cereal fields this growing season and come across CLB, we want you to let us know where you are finding this pest, what stage and how many you are finding. To enter your field…
The Canadian Bt Corn Trait Tables have been updated for April 2021. English: Canadian Bt Corn Trait Table for April 2021 French: Maïs Bt disponibles au Canada (Avril 2021) For information on which hybrids or products have obtained EU approval, visit the Canadian Seed Trade Association’s corn hybrid database at: https://seedinnovation.ca/hybrid/ Pour plus d’informations sur les hybrides ou produits ayant obtenus l’approbation…
Tracey Baute March 23, 2021 819 Comments Off on 2021 Great Lakes and Maritimes Pest Monitoring NetworkThe 2021 Great Lakes and Maritimes Pest Monitoring Network (GLMPMN) is up and running for the 2021 season. We are monitoring for black cutworm (BCW), corn earworm (CEW), European corn borer (ECB), fall armyworm (FAW), true armyworm (TAW) and western bean cutworm (WBC) across the region and are providing an interactive real-time map and trap data dashboard that summarizes the…
Tracey Baute March 23, 2021 677 Comments Off on GLMPMN 2021 Trap Set Up Instructions and Trap Supply NeedsCalling all GLMPMN Trap Participants! Please find below the instructions on how to set up a trap in your field and where to get the trap supplies for reach pest that you are monitoring. Not, each pest requires a specific trap type and lures as indicated in each of the instructions below. Once you have set up your traps, you…
Rootworm Biology and Impact Corn rootworm (CRW) is a serious pest of continuous corn in Ontario. CRW larvae are the main concern, as they clip roots and inhibit root growth, resulting in poor nutrient and water uptake in the plant. Significant yield loss occurs before these symptoms are even noticed. For every node of roots clipped, there is a…
Tracey Baute March 9, 2021 397 Comments Off on Summer Job Opportunity – Field Research Assistants Needed in RidgetownOrganization: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Division/Branch: Economic Development Division / Agriculture Development Branch Position Title: Field Research Assistant (Field Crop); Field Research Assistant (Horticultural Crop) Job Term: Temporary, for up to 14 weeks, beginning spring 2021 Salary: …
Tracey Baute February 10, 2021 400 Comments Off on UGRC Field Crop Pest Management – 2021 Summer Research Assistants NeededDr. Jocelyn Smith at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus is seeking Summer Research Assistants to assist the Field Crop Pest Management program. Projects will include corn, cereals, soybean and canola pest management, and insect resistance management studies. Skills in plant and pest identification, scouting and monitoring techniques, measurements of agronomic performance and data collection will be enhanced. The candidates…
Tracey Baute October 26, 2020 1276 Comments Off on Understanding the Impact and Measures Needed to Address Bt Resistant RootwormWhy be concerned about the Bt resistant rootworm populations showing up in Ontario? Dr. Jocelyn Smith, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus stands in a field that has cross resistant rootworm. The grower experienced more than 50% yield loss in this 2nd year silage corn field planted with a pyramid hybrid in 2020. Jocelyn discusses the impacts of these resistant rootworm…
Tracey Baute October 9, 2020 1531 Comments Off on Mitigation Measures for Bt Resistant Corn RootwormExtensive injury by corn rootworm (CRW) to pyramid Bt rootworm (Bt-RW) hybrids was observed in several Ontario counties in 2020, suggesting that CRW populations have developed resistance to multiple Bt-RW proteins. The Canadian Corn Pest Coalition (CCPC) and OMAFRA have developed mitigation recommendations for continuous corn producers, in hopes of knocking back the resistant corn rootworm population present in Ontario….
Tracey Baute October 9, 2020 859 Comments Off on Revised October 2020 – Canadian Bt Corn Trait Tables with Events and Resistance StatusWe have revised the Canadian Bt Corn Trait Tables to reflect the current potential cross resistance of corn rootworm in Ontario to all Bt-RW proteins. Here are the latest versions: English: Bt Corn Trait Table (October 2020) with Events and Resistance Status French: Tableau des caractères Bt (Octobre 2020-Français) – Évènements transgéniques et résistances For information on which hybrids or products have…
Tracey Baute August 20, 2020 1050 Comments Off on Scouting Guidelines to Determine Possible Rootworm ResistanceScouting for corn rootworm injury is important to detect potential resistance to rootworm Bt traits and to plan management options for the next growing season. It is especially important to report any fields showing signs of suspected resistance to your corn agronomist and the provincial entomologist. Rootworm larvae feed below ground on corn roots from late May until late July….