It is still too early to predict what western bean cutworm (WBC) might do this year but to help prepare, we have updated the WBC infosheets for 2020. 2020 WBC Infosheet for Corn 2020 WBC Infosheet for Dry Beans WBC activity was delayed in 2019, in step with the delay in growing degree day (GDD) […]
It is August when this article is being written so we do not know what potential impact corn earworm (CEW) could have on our grain corn crop until harvest. Corn earworm was found in several fields in Ontario and Eastern Canada in late summer of 2018 and in 2019. They arrived in Ontario in June […]
Bean leaf beetles (BLB) have reached the pod feeding threshold in some IP soybean fields this week. Despite the calendar date, both the beetles and soybeans are behind due to the delayed planting and slower accumulation of growing degree days. The first generation beetles coming out in July and August are attracted to later planted […]
There is a long way to go yet before we reach crop maturity and a few insects are thriving right now in late planted soybeans and dry beans. Bean leaf beetles are a risk for both soybeans and dry beans. Reports are starting to come in of some activity at various locations. This is the […]
Usually by this time in July, I am writing about how we are approaching peak flight for WBC in at least the southwestern counties. But with the delay in growing degree days this year, we have just caught the first WBC moth in Ontario this week, a month later than usual start catching them. Despite […]
What a year! Goes from too wet to too dry. With young crops and little canopy yet, a few pests could become a problem quickly. Especially if hot dry conditions continue to stress the crop further. Scout fields frequently for these three pests; Potato leafhoppers, thrips and spider mites. Potato leafhoppers (PLH) are in high […]
It’s that kind of year. Expect the unexpected or at least don’t be surprised when something doesn’t follow the rules. It’s a wet year. That usually makes us more disease prone than insect prone. And entomopathogens (fungus that kills insects) usually kick in. But we are also dealing with very delayed planting with small plants […]
It seems a bit cruel to point out some potential pest issues in a season like we have had where few crops are even in and might not even get in. But some crops are in the ground and at risk. There are a few pests that will take advantage of delayed crop emergence or […]
Western bean cutworm trapping will be starting in early June. For those who are interested in trapping this year, I have provided a few resources below including Trap Set up and Monitoring Instructions, and a Trap Supply Checklist and Trap Supply Companies document. Those setting up trap sites are encouraged to include the traps on […]
It was recently confirmed that European corn borer (ECB) has developed resistance to the Cry1F protein in Bt corn in Nova Scotia. More information on this issue can be found here: Canadian Corn Pest Coalition Mitigation Recommendations for European Corn Borer Resistance to Bt Corn (Cry1F) in the Maritimes. Thanks goes to Dr. Jocelyn Smith […]
The planting season (or lack thereof) has been a challenging one. Though as mentioned in this week’s crop report, with the exception of very long season hybrids, it is still too early in the planting window to be thinking of switching hybrids. That said, in situations when you do need to switch, what happens if […]
Recent scouting efforts and grower calls indicate that corn earworm (CEW) are present in Ontario corn fields this fall, some at pretty high levels (Figure 1). Late planted fields are the most at risk, as CEW moths typically don’t blow in from the US until later in the summer and prefer to lay their eggs […]
If ever there was a year to get out and scout before making a management decision, it is this year. Western bean cutworm trap catches have been much lower than previous years (Figure 1). Yes, many saw significant increase this past week, but they are still not at levels we would normally see during this […]
This is a year of Stranger Things. Some insect pests that are expected in these conditions haven’t shown up yet while others are much more ahead of schedule, thanks to the hot days that are resulting in significant growing degree day accumulation. Tarnished plant bug is already being found in dry beans, even though the […]
Western bean cutworm trap counts this year have been very low so far. Although I would normally expect at least the far southwest to be reaching peak moth flight later this week, the traps are not indicating that yet. It might happen but there are not nearly the same number of moths flying around at […]