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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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? […]
This year’s Southwest Crop Diagnostic Day Program is now available at: http://www.diagnosticdays.ca/index.cfm Register soon as space is limited to 200 people per day! […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Thanks to Nick Zwambag for commenting on here that they are seeing cabbage seedpod weevil activity in winter canola near thamesville earlier this week. But with this weather, little can be done about it and fortunately the cool temps should slow them down a bit. Scout once this front goes through and see what infestations […]
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 […]
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?). […]
Hi Everyone. I realize that I haven’t been blogging lately but I didn’t want to bog you down with frivolous things during busy times. That said, I did want to take the time to wish you all a wonderful and safe Holiday. And I wish you nothing but the best for 2010. If you have […]
Just wrote an article and completed the map of the distribution of western bean cutworm in the Great Lakes Region. Check it out in the latest CropPest Newsletter at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/news/croppest/2009/18cpo09a3.htm . […]
Anyone out there run some strip trials on soybean aphid this year in Ontario? If you have data you’d like to share with us, please send it to my email . Our research group has also run trials on some new chemistries and early season thresholds. Once the data is compiled, we will let you […]
More reports of WBC damage are coming in. Here is an updated list of sites with damage and or larvae found in Ontario: Chatham- Kent (Dover Centre, Bothwell) Lambton (Petrolia) Middlesex (Wardsville, Appin, Glencoe) Elgin (Rodney) Huron (Blyth, Clinton, Exeter, Dashwood, Holmesville, Belgrave) Bruce (Walkerton, Kincardine) Simcoe (Alliston, Barrie, Stayner) Durham (Kinsale, Lindsay, Brooklin) Victoria […]