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

Bean Leaf Beetles are Active, Scout Emerging Soybeans

By WCM Staff on 5/24/2007 12:21 PM

Bean leaf beetles have begun to emerge in the region. Bean leaf beetles overwinter as adults beneath leaf litter. In early spring, adults feed on cultivated (alfalfa) and wild (e.g. showy tick trefoil) legumes. As soybean seedlings emerge, beetles move into soybean fields to continue feeding and lay eggs.

First Crop Alfalfa Alert: Threshold Alfalfa Weevil Populations Reported

By WCM Staff on 5/17/2007 1:30 PM

Alfalfa weevil larval hatch occurred on schedule over the first two weeks of May, in areas of Wisconsin that have reached and exceeded the 300 alfalfa weevil degree-days (base 48F) necessary for egg hatch. Reports have come to me between Thursday May 10th and Wednesday May 16th from southeastern, southwestern and western Wisconsin.

Soybean Aphid Biological Control … An Exotic Approach

By WCM Staff on 5/17/2007 1:22 PM

This season marks the 7th year since the discovery of soybean aphid in North America. This year also marks the first introduction of an exotic natural enemy against soybean aphid.

Black Cutworm: Monitor Corn Emergence and Evaluate Stand

By WCM Staff on 5/10/2007 4:00 PM

This is a routine reminder that black cutworm moth flights are underway, to expect larval development during the rest of May and in to June (depending on temperatures), and remember to monitor corn stands from seedling emergence through V5 growth stage.

WBC and SBA Short Course Presentations Available on the Web

By WCM Staff on 5/3/2007 9:33 AM

Video recordings of the Feb 28 western bean cutworm and March 6 soybean aphid short course presentations are now available on the web.

Alfalfa Weevil Larvae Will be Active Soon

By WCM Staff on 5/3/2007 9:24 AM

The first alfalfa insect pest of the year to be aware of is alfalfa weevil. Article contains information on degree days, scouting and management.

Corn Flea Beetle and Stewart’s Disease: 2007 Areas at Risk in Wisconsin

By WCM Staff on 4/25/2007 2:10 PM

Due to a trend of warmer winters in the state, Stewart’s Disease, also known as Stewart’s Wilt, should now be on the radar for Wisconsin sweet corn and seed corn producers. Warmer winters increase the overwintering survival rate of corn flea beetle, the primary vector of the bacterium that causes the disease.

Rootworm Bt Corn and Soil Insecticides – One or the other, but not both

By WCM Staff on 4/19/2007 2:37 PM

This article stems from our discussion about this proposed practice to “double-up” on rootworm control tactics for the 2007 season. We (UW Madison Entomology and UW-Extension) do not recommend this practice, nor does it fit into a sound integrated pest management (IPM) approach to agronomic field crop production.

Western Bean Cutworm Follow-Up: How to Construct Pheromone Trap

By WCM Staff on 4/4/2007 11:53 AM

On Februray 28 a successful Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) short course introduced farmers, consultants, and educators to this Midwestern pest. One question that has come up since the course is how to construct the pheromone traps for WBC moth scouting. A summary of the trapping protocol is included below.

Overwintering Temperatures and Corn Rootworm Egg Hatch?

By WCM Staff on 3/22/2007 1:00 PM

Rootworm overwintering egg mortality depends not only on soil temperatures, but also on the duration and variability of temperatures. Crop or other vegetation cover and tillage practices will also influence soil temperatures.

Insect Resistance Management when Planting Bt Corn Hybrids

By WCM Staff on 3/8/2007 1:00 AM

Planning to plant Bt corn hybrids this spring? If so, growers and consultants are required by law to have an insect resistance management (IRM) plan in place. The IRM plan is implemented by planting refuge corn acres on each farm where a Bt corn hybrid is planted.

Learn More About Soybean Aphid Biological Control --Distance Education Course, Tuesday March 6th

By WCM Staff on 2/15/2007 1:00 AM

A soybean aphid biological control and integrated pest management workshop will be presented via distance education technology Tuesday March 6th, 2007.

Learn More About Western Bean Cutworm in Corn --Distance Education Course, Wednesday February 28th

By WCM Staff on 2/15/2007 1:00 AM

A western bean cutworm workshop will be presented Wednesday February 28th via distance education technology. Following is information for farmers, consultants and others to contact a host site and reserve your space to learn more about Western Bean Cutworm in corn.

Variant Western Corn Rootworm Survey Results 2006

By WCM Staff on 1/18/2007 1:00 AM

Eileen Cullen, Extension Entomologist. In 2006, 106 Wisconsin soybean fields were monitored for variant western corn rootworm beetle abundance to help growers guide first year corn management decisions in 2007. Variant western corn rootworm beetle abundance and egg-laying in soybean fields, with potential root damage to first year corn in the same field the following year, present an economic risk to corn and soybean producers in the affected region(s).