Baute Bug Blog

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 are like then.

Bean leaf beetles are not quite yet.  We’ve been sweeping in alfalfa fields and have not captured any.  We tend to see them emerging around this time so I expect if things warm up a bit, they will be making their way into alfalfa or newly emerging soybeans (if the soys escaped the frost).

These storms are also apt to be carrying in black cutworm and true armyworm moths.  States just to the south of us are reporting black cutworm flights and feeding activity.  Fields that had a decent weed mat this spring should be scouted.  There have been fewer armyworm reports but given the advanced wheat crop, those fields are going to look mighty appealing to the mother moths flying by.

And finally, Ohio is still reporting quite a lot of cereal leaf beetle activity, though I haven’t heard or found any yet here.  I do recommend that once this rain passes, we get out and look for armyworm and cereal leaf beetles.  This heavy moisture might be good for initiating entomopathogens but it needs to be a bit warmer for the fungus to get established.

Let’s hope we see the sunshine soon!

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?).  Grubs are starting to feed on wheat and alfalfa stands making some question if replanting is necessary.  And black cutworm is likely to fly in from the southern US soon too as reports of trap catches from other states indicate they are making their way up here.

Regardless, any of these early planted fields should have insecticide seed treatments on them to protect from the early season pests that will be coming out of their overwintering sites.  First field up will be eye candy for them.

BTW – Thanks for staying tuned to my blog.  Last year was a trial run and I am happy with the results.  I hope you are too.  I plan to keep it evolving, with new features and more connectivity with other ag and pest sites/blogs.  If you have any suggestions of what you’d like to see from this blog, let me know.

Enjoy the sun while searching for the smaller things in life

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 ready) to reduce the risk of injury from alfalfa weevil larvae.  If fields are not fit or ready to cut, you’ll need to scout and determine if the larvae are reaching threshold.  Again, cutting is the first choice for management if possible, if it is not, then spray at threshold.

Armyworm – It was around this time last year we started to see armyworm larvae appear in the fields.  We did catch a few moths in April and with all of the storm fronts that continued to come our way, there could have been more blown into Ontario.  Scout both the borders and randomly within wheat fields.  And soon to emerge corn fields are at risk too.  There were so many fields with weeds that didn’t get sprayed until now that were ideal for the moths to lay their eggs on.   Larvae could have survived on those weeds until the crop pops up out of the ground.  And they will be bigger (and harder to kill) when they do move over to the crop.

Let me know if you find any so we can get the word out!

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 any infestations by scouting the same field often. 

Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) adults have also been active and I am expecting some larvae to be feeding soon.  Wheat fields should be scouted as it is really important to keep any infestations from causing damage to especially the flag leaf. 

More info on AW and CLB management was provided in this week’s CropPest at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/news/croppest/2009/02cpo09.htm

Soybean aphids on buckthorn and bean leaf beetles have not been sighted yet.  If you are finding them, let me know!

Have a fantastic weekend and I hope the rain stay away so we can dry out a bit!