The latest version (2009-2010) of the Field Crop Protection Guide, OMAFRA Publication 812 is now in print and available at any of the OMAFRA Resource Centres or can be purchased online at ServiceOntario (see link below). This book contains the latest in recommended control products for field crop insect pests and diseases. Cost is $15.
After very little effort on our part, we were able to find soybean aphids on soybeans in the Arva Ontario area. Only 5-10% of the plants had 1-15 aphids per plant on average but we found them in every field that was within the VC, almost V1 stage. Similar reports are coming in from Eastern Ontario. Ohio just reported to us that they have found a site with 30 to 40 aphids per plant on several plants in the field.
Ontario experienced early infestations around this date in 2007 but in that year there were only isolated fields within the Arva area and the weather changed to hot dry conditions shortly after and became less favourable for aphid development. So far this month’s weather has been ideal for the aphids to keep multiplying.
Scouting soybeans this week is advised. Particularly those fields that are not treated with Cruiser. Do not rely on planting date to determine which fields should be scouted first. Early planting date this year does not necessessarily indicate first fields to emerge. And the Arva fields are not necessarily the most advanced soybeans in the province. Fields that are at least within the VC stage or bigger should be scouted first. Focus on the newly emerging trifoliates. Aphids are tough to see at this stage, as they are still green from feeding on buckthorn all this time (not their typical Mountain Dew colour) and hide in amongst the leaf hairs. Ants crawling along the plants is a good sign that aphids are nearby.
So far in the fields that we scouted, there have been no beneficials on the plants to take down the aphid populations. Hopefully they will be responding soon but again scouting is encouraged to ensure that the aphid populations do not get out of hand in the absense of their natural enemies.
If you find fields with more than 10 aphids per plant on more than 50% of the plants assessed, please contact me as we are hoping to conduct some field trials for aphid control on these early stage soybeans.
Okay..it is a busy week on the insect front. Sorry..two posts in one day but I want to get the message out!
Bean leaf beetle adults are active in emerging soybean fields. We are starting to see feeding damage in several fields in the southwestern counties. These beetles have been waiting a while for soybeans to come up. Fields not planted with Cruiser in areas that have been known to have overwintering adults (up to S. Huron and Wellington Counties) will need to be scouted to determine infestation levels. For more information on bean leaf beetle scouting and thresholds, here are some helpful resources:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub811/4blb.htm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub812/3blb.htm
Cereal leaf beetles have also reached threshold in fields in the Aylmer and Delhi areas, which tells me that there could be more hot spots in that region (or others) that are being missed . Scout wheat fields to see if any larvae or adults are present. I realized the other day, a good way to describe the larvae is to look for a very dense muddy drop of water on the leaf. If you look closer, it is probably cereal leaf beetle.
Heard from two credible sources that soybean aphids are on VC and V1 stage soybeans at London’s AAFC (North East side of London) as well as a few fields in Eastern Ontario and Southern Quebec. I will be doing a more thorough search this afternoon North of London too to see how widespread the aphids are colonizing in that area. No high numbers yet have been reported from any of these locations but it does look like soybean aphids are here and are attempting to colonize. Ladybeetles were already taking action at the London site.
Chris DiFonzo just notified me that she has found soybean aphids on early planted soybeans in Michigan. This is a very good indication that Ontario could have aphids on any soys that have emerged. Try to get out and scout fields between the rains this week. If anyone finds fields with aphids in them, please notify me as we are trying to set up some field trials on these early season infestations.
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Jeff Steiner: