Insects and Mites

Corn Earworm Risk Forecast, Midwest Region

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:34:56 GMT

For the upper Midwest Region, we currently have "Moderate Risk" of significant Corn Earworm flights northward. Corn earworm migrates on weather fronts from southern/southeastern regions of the U.S. to the Midwest Region during late summer.

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Soybean aphid blog

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:46:35 GMT

Soybean fields with suboptimal potassium levels are at greater risk of soybean aphid population increase and yield loss.

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Dry Weather Reminder for Soybeans: Two-spotted Spider Mites

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:10:52 GMT

Due to lack of substantial rain in many counties throughout Wisconsin, soybean fields are once again hosting, or capable of hosting, economic populations of two-spotted spider mites.

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Soybean Aphids Still Simmering … Some Fields at Economic Threshold

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:42:32 GMT

Soybean aphids have simmered at low densities throughout the 2009 soybean growing season in Wisconsin and the North Central region. This week, some fields in western and southern Wisconsin are being reported at economic threshold of 250 aphids/plant.

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Do Not Let Western Bean Cutworm Catch You Off-Guard

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:33:51 GMT

Wisconsin looks to be in for our highest Western Bean Cutworm pressure yet. Don’t let WBC larvae in field and processing sweet corn ears catch you off guard in August and September. Scouting now is critical to determine field infestation and prevent populations from reaching economic injury level.

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Western Bean Cutworm Moths Flying, Scout Field and Sweet Corn

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:27:11 GMT

WBC is a late season corn ear pest. WBC has one generation per year, with six or seven larval stages, and overwinters as a full-grown larva, inside a soil chamber. Spring development begins when temperatures exceed 50°F. Larvae pupate in May and moths begin to emerge from soil chambers in early July. Multiple WBC larvae can infest one ear and cause yield loss and impact quality of grain (damaged, decaying kernels, secondary pathogen infection).

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Armyworms in Wheat in NE Wisconsin

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:22:28 GMT

Many thanks to Jeff Polenske and his colleagues of Polenske Agronomic Consulting, for alerting us to the potential for armyworm injury in the northeast part of the state. Currently they are finding significant numbers of large armyworm larvae in wheat. Very little head clipping at this time but harvest is still a ways off. Let’s take some time to review armyworm habits. Hopefully this will help you with scouting and making control recommendations.

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Soybean Aphid Densities are Low, But Start Scouting Now

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:41:34 GMT

Wisconsin soybeans have yet to see economic soybean aphid densities. Statewide, field averages continue to be well below the economic threshold of 250 aphids/plant. However, soybean aphids are present in fields and the time to begin scouting is now.

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Troubleshooting Hints for Common Early Season Insects (and slugs) in Corn

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:22:13 GMT

Troubleshooting calls on seedling corn are likely to be starting if they haven’t already. Once you have narrowed the cause down to insect there are still a number of choices you will need to make for an accurate diagnosis. Troubleshooting would be much easier if all we dealt with was classic, text book symptoms but that is rarely the case. Of course finding the insect will make the diagnosis easier. If not, here are some helpful hints.

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True Armyworms

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:32:07 GMT

True Armyworm is yet another insect to keep on your radar over the next few weeks. There hasn’t been any report of damage in Wisconsin or to the states to our south but the WDATCP has reported sporadic, low intensity flights in their blacklight trap network.

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Black Cutworm

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:26:40 GMT

WDATCP staff recently reported “light to moderate” black cutworm pheromone trap catches and suggested that cutting of seedling corn could occur by late May in southern Wisconsin.

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Alfalfa Weevil

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:12:49 GMT

Southern Wisconsin has now accumulated 300 weevil degree days (or soon will have) which is when eggs are starting to hatch and scouting is recommended. To get a feel for what may be happening in your area, spot check alfalfa fields for weevil damage in areas that warm up quicker (eg. south facing slopes, sandy areas, etc.). Look for tiny pinhole feeding in the upper leaves. The economic threshold for first crop alfalfa is when 40% or more of the stems have leaf feeding. Read more for pest ID.

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Bean Leaf Beetles - in WI - in 2009?

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:05:08 GMT

Although the early indications are for a light overwintering population, there is still a need to spot check early emerging soybean fields.

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Diagnosing Western Bean Cutworm Larvae in Corn Ears

cullen@entomology.wisc.edu — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:30:00 GMT

This article summarizes WBC larvae reports from around the state; provides diagnostic pictures of WBC larvae and damage; discusses how to distinguish WBC larvae and feeding from corn earworm and/or European corn borer; and summarizes economic impact and yield-loss relationship data for WBC in field corn. More...