This article was written by Tracey Baute, Entomologist- Field Crops and Joanna Follings, Cereals Specialist True armyworm (Figure 1) has been reported in a number of regions in the province including but not limited to Grey, Bruce, Simcoe, Haldimand, Niagara, Middlesex, Lambton, Elgin, Oxford, Perth, and Bruce counties. Armyworm has been found at low levels […]
Tracey Baute, Field Crop Entomologist, OMAFRA Climate change will have a direct impact on insect pests. Since insects are cold blooded, they are directly influenced by temperature. Those that feed on plants also rely on the availability of their host crops to survive. Though we have an idea of some of the impacts climate change […]
This article was written by Tracey Baute, Entomologist- Field Crops and Joanna Follings, Cereals Specialist As we continue to scout our cereal crops, reports of cereal leaf beetle and true armyworm in fields are coming in. While most fields are not being found at threshold yet, it is important to monitor your fields and be […]
A number of reports have come in that cereal aphid populations are increasing. Scouting cereal fields is advised. Natural enemies are present in many fields so I recommend using the Cereal Aphid Manager app to help you decide if a spray is required based on your aphid and natural enemy populations. The cereal aphid threshold […]
This article was written by Tracey Baute, Entomologist- Field Crops and Joanna Follings, Cereals Specialist Cereal Leaf Beetle (CLB) is an important pest in cereal crop production feeding on wheat, oats, barley, corn, forages and grassy weeds. CLB overwinters as an adult and then emerges early in the spring and females lay their eggs on […]
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 […]