This article was originally written by Joel Bagg in 2013. It was edited May 1st, 2023 by Christine O’Reilly to reflect current insecticide options to control alfalfa weevil. Alfalfa weevil can be an issue in Ontario, particularly in south-western parts of the province. While outbreaks tend to be isolated, they can be severe and dramatically […]
Some popular insecticides won’t be available for use in field crops in Ontario in 2023. All products containing lambda-cyhalothrin including Matador, Warrior, Silencer, Labamba, Voliam Xpress and Endigo will be limited for use to only horticulture crops in eastern Canada this year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) re-evaluated lambda-cyhalothrin and end use products in […]
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 […]
Southwestern: Most alfalfa stands overwintered well; however those on heavy soils and in low-lying areas may have suffered winter injury. New seedings and annual forage acres are expected to increase this year in response to weather conditions over 2016 and 2017. As of May 27th, alfalfa weevils had reached 1st instar. Scouting is advised to identify […]
Planting of all crops is much further along than last week, although the general comments about slow progress on fine textured soils are still applicable. Regions with clay soils are dry on top but gummy below, so delays continue. There is rain in the forecast this week for much of southern Ontario so further delays […]
First cut took place on most of the forage acres in southern Ontario. Though this is an effective way to manage alfalfa weevil, this year the larvae were quite small at the time of cutting. I’m concerned that the larvae still present will finally be entering the most damaging stages of third and fourth instars […]
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 […]
Two pests that are starting to appear in Ontario fields include cereal leaf beetle and alfalfa weevil. Cereal leaf beetle: Both adults and larvae can cause damage by chewing long strips of tissue between the leaf veins, though most of the damage is done by the larvae in June. The larvae look somewhat like slugs […]
Synopsis: Rainfall over the weekend varied from 0 – 40 ml (Brussels area). High armyworm numbers can be found in a number of areas, with highest populations in Niagara and SW Ont. More reports in forage stands, but cutting of first cut providing control. Weed control and respraying is nearing completion in corn and soy’s with […]
There have been some reports of alfalfa weevil causing damage in some stands and I was out this week to have a look at some fields. The weevils are certainly out there. Considering that some alfalfa fields are hurting from frost damage, some produces may consider holding off on the first cut to let the […]
Alfalfa Weevil Reports from Michigan and Iowa indicate that alfalfa weevils were activity is early this year. We’ve had some fairly warm weather earlier this spring and the weevils likely have had a bit of a head start. I was out in some fields in Oxford this week and I found some early instar larvae […]
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 […]
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?). […]
Alfalfa Weevil – We are starting to see a lot more alfalfa weevil larvae in the fields we are scouting. Many fields in southwestern Ontario are ready or close to being ready to be cut. I know you are busy trying to get everything planted finally, but I encourage guys to get out and cut the hay (if field is […]
Just in case some of you are keen and plan to be scotuing this long weekend, there are a few critters you should be watching for. Alfalfa weevil (AW) larvae are starting in some fields. So far just the smaller 1st and 2nd instars but warmer weather will help them grow too. Stay ahead of […]