Tracey Baute August 11, 2017 2873 Comments Off on Western Bean Cutworm Still A Concern For Edible Beans & Late CornWe are still seeing WBC trap counts going up in most counties north and east of Perth. That means that WBC moth flight has not yet peaked in those counties. This is important because this also means that we haven’t reached peak egg laying in those counties and that there are a wack of moths flying around looking for somewhere…
Despite the wet weather, potato leafhoppers (PLH) are thriving in many areas of the province. Hopperburn is evident in the second crop of alfalfa, though dry bean fields are also at risk, especially once insecticide seed treatments are no longer present in the plants. Unfortunately, once hopperburn is noticed, yield and quality has already been compromised. Though PLH-resistant varieties of…
It has been a few years since soybean aphids have been noticed in fields this early in the season. This is in part, because many fields were treated with insecticide seed treatments and were assumed to be protecting the crop early in the season. However, very recently published research across several US states has shown that the insecticide seed treatment…
Tracey Baute June 10, 2017 6048 Comments Off on True Armyworm Scouting, Threshold and Management GuidelinesTrue armyworm have been found in a few fields this weekend. Cereals, corn (especially, though not exclusive those fields planted into rye) and mixed forages are at risk and should be scouted every three or four days over the next three weeks. True armyworm identification was covered in a previous blog this spring (here). Scouting Guidelines: The best time to…
Tracey Baute June 8, 2017 2477 Comments Off on Good Year for Seedcorn Maggot and Other Early Season PestsWith delayed planting, slower crop emergence and frequent rain events, early season pests get a longer period of time to feed on the seed and seedlings. There are a number of pests causing problems right now. Seedcorn maggots are causing injury in both corn and soybean fields. Although higher risk fields include those that have manure or green vegetation incorporated…
Some field scouts are finding alfalfa weevil above threshold in Niagara and Haldimand counties, though there are likely more fields in other counties at levels of concern. Alfalfa weevil activity usually coincides with first cut but in some years when the crop is slower to develop, the weevil damage gets ahead, causing significant damage before first cut can happen. Alfalfa…
Tracey Baute May 16, 2017 4501 Comments Off on Cereal Leaf Beetle and True Armyworm – the Next Threats for Wheat and Other CropsTwo more pests deserve our attention over the next month. Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) is starting to show up in some fields in Ontario. Levels are still low but both adults, eggs and/or larvae are being found by scouts at various locations during routine scouting trips. A few locations tend to experience a higher frequency of infestations including fields near…
The storm fronts that pushed up from the southern states over the last month not only carried rain with them but also carried in black cutworm moths. Trap catches have been higher than normal this year in neighbouring states, indicating a higher risk this spring for Ontario. Once they arrive, the adult moths look for weedy green patches in fields…
Tracey Baute May 9, 2017 3347 Comments Off on Time to Join the 2017 Western Bean Cutworm Trap NetworkCalling all WBC Trap Participants! The WBC Trap Network website is now up and running and ready for you to add your trap sites and join our trapping network. Anyone wishing to join must login and create a new user account at www.cornpest.ca. Click on the “Login” menu from the top left of the page (on a computer) or from…
Tracey Baute April 28, 2017 4417 Comments Off on Conditions are Ideal for Wireworm and Grub AssessmentsSoil temperatures are at 10 degrees C which means that wireworms and grubs are active near the soil surface. So it is also a great time to set up wireworm baits or dig for grubs. For the 2017 planting season, growers wanting to purchase and plant neonic treated corn and soybean seed require a pest assessment report (PAR) through an…
Tracey Baute April 5, 2017 2206 Comments Off on Consultation for the Plant and Animal Health Strategy for Canada – Ends April 30thLearn, participate and have your say The proposed Plant and Animal Health Strategy for Canada was drafted together by governments, industry and others who play a role in safeguarding plant and animal health. The strategy will protect plants and animals from new and emerging risks by focusing efforts more on prevention and increasing partner collaboration and coordination. You are invited…
The 2016-2017 version of OMAFRA Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide, and can be downloaded here or by clicking on the the book cover thumbnail below. Publication 812 is the source of pest control information for field crops. The easy to read tables provide information and comments on insect and disease control products for the major field crops including best control options for…
An infosheet has been created that contains information on the swede midge life cycle, scouting for the pest in canola, and control options relevant to Ontario producers. Please click the link below to view the PDF. Swede Midge Infosheet Final 2016
Cereal leaf beetle is starting to show up in some fields in Ontario. A few locations tend to experience a higher frequency of infestations including fields near Dresden, Bolton, Stayner, Seaforth, and Clinton. But this does not mean that other fields in Ontario are not at risk. Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) adults are beetles with metallic blue-green wings and a…
