Wisconsin Crop Manager newsletter

Author:	WCM Staff	Created:	4/21/2006 12:13 PM
Whats bugging you. Articles concerning insects on field crops in Wisconsin

Black cutworm activity approaching in Corn

By WCM Staff on 5/17/2006 6:35 PM

Watching the WI DATCP Wisconsin Pest Bulletin black light trap network, we know that black cutworm eggs are being laid and larvae have started to hatch near Beloit and La Crosse.

Corn Seed Treatment for Sandhill Crane Repellency – Know your Labels

By WCM Staff on 4/27/2006 10:17 PM

This spring 2006 Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan received temporary approval by US EPA under a Section 18 label for use of the non-lethal bird repellent, AvitecTM. This repellent can be used as a liquid or dry powder planter box corn seed treatment for field and sweet corn in WI, MN, and MI to protect planted corn seed from Sandhill Crane herbivory.

Early Season Insect Calendar: Seed Corn Maggot

By WCM Staff on 4/21/2006 1:14 PM

Although occasional and site-specific, one early season field crop insect pest to be aware of is the seedcorn maggot. Although seedcorn maggot can be a threat to corn, damage is not usually as severe in corn as when found on soybeans, peas and succulent beans.

2005 Bean Pod Mottle Virus Survey Results

By WCM Staff on 4/6/2006 10:16 AM

In spring overwintered bean leaf beetles become active in cultivated (alfalfa) and wild (showy tick trefoil) legumes before soybeans are available. Early planted soybeans are at greater risk of bean leaf beetle feeding and bean pod mottle virus transmission.

Sandhill Cranes and Corn: AvitecTM Corn Seed Treatment Approved for 2006

By WCM Staff on 3/23/2006 5:38 PM

The WI DATCP, International Crane Foundation (ICF), and UW Entomology Department have been notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that temporary approval (Section 18 approval effective March 13, 2006 - August 15, 2006) has been given for the use of the non-lethal bird repellant, Avitec™.

Western Corn Rootworm (“Soybean”) Variant Survey 2005

By WCM Staff on 3/9/2006 6:00 AM

Risk management pertaining to corn rootworm is becoming more complicated regionally as variant strains of both northern and western corn rootworms have adapted behaviors to succeed in rotated corn.

Corn Rootworm Product Efficacy Trials, UW-Madison Entomology 2003-2005

By WCM Staff on 1/19/2006 3:00 AM

The impact of corn rootworm larval feeding on corn is evaluated each growing season in replicated small plot trials at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station using the Iowa State University 0 to 3 Node-Injury scale (Oleson et al. 2005). The current article summarizes root-rating results for three years, 2003-2005.

European Corn Borer Summer Moth Flights Have Peaked, Prepare for 2nd Generation

By WCM Staff on 8/4/2005 11:43 AM

For those who may not have caught last week’s (July 29) issue of the WI DATCP Wisconsin Pest Bulletin, please be aware that emergence of the summer flight of European corn borer moths has peaked in parts of Wisconsin.

Adult Corn Rootworm Sampling and Economic Thresholds in Continuous Corn

By WCM Staff on 8/4/2005 11:29 AM

Damage to corn roots by corn rootworm larvae in continuous corn fields during the 2006 growing season will depend on adult corn rootworm beetle populations in corn fields over the next 5 to 6 weeks. The only way to determine whether a field is likely to have an economic rootworm infestation next year is to scout for adults this August-September.

Advanced Armyworm and Outbreak Pockets in Western Wisconsin

By WCM Staff on 7/28/2005 12:31 PM

Corn fields in western and west central Wisconsin are exhibiting advanced armyworm larval stages and extreme corn leaf feeding to the midrib. Some of the reports, as detailed below, are related to grassy weed presence and/or later than optimal grassy weed control. However, more extensive field areas are being defoliated due to heavy populations, independent of weed management issues.

Spider Mites – Threshold Overview, Effects of Rain

By WCM Staff on 7/28/2005 12:08 PM

Spider mites continue to be present on soybeans in Wisconsin. The main questions coming in by phone and at field days over the last week are “What is the threshold for two-spotted spider mite?” and “How will the recent strong storms affect mite populations?”.

Critical to Watch Soybean Aphids as Temperatures Cool

By WCM Staff on 7/28/2005 11:22 AM

As reported in the July 21st issue of Wisconsin Crop Manager, soybean aphids continue to warrant close monitoring. By mid-July fields exceeded threshold in many southern WI counties and received timely insecticide application based on populations in excess of 250 aphids per plant average.

Research Brief: 0 to 3 Node-Injury Scale for Corn Rootworm Rating

By WCM Staff on 7/7/2005 2:03 PM

A recent article published in the February 2005 issue of Journal of Economic Entomology titled “Node-Injury Scale to Evaluate Root Injury by Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)” (Oleson et al. 2005) provides new and improved guidance for the annual corn root rating task.

Time Approaching to Evaluate Corn Roots for Injury by Corn Rootworms

By WCM Staff on 7/7/2005 12:57 PM

Over the next couple of weeks of July, we enter the crop season window during which to evaluate corn root injury by corn rootworms. We are planning to dig roots, soak and then wash the soil away with a high pressure hose stream, and quantify root injury in our UW Madison Entomology research trials, insecticide efficacy program, and on-farm studies between the dates of July 18th and July 25th.