Fall Armyworms in Hay Fields and Pastures
By Blake Layton: Fall armyworm populations were unusually heavy the past two years. They have been much lower so far this year, but this can change quickly.
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Insects
Insect Trap Counts, July 21, 2011
Bollworm trap counts were higher this week throughout the state and tobacco budworm counts were higher in the Delta. Southwestern corn borer counts were relatively low this week, but started to rise this week in many areas, signaling the beginning
Many Pyrethroid Failures on Bollworm in Mississippi Soybeans
As of now, I have had numerous reports of pyrethroid failures in soybeans targeting bollworms. Nearly everyone with soybeans at R1-R4 has bollworms at some level in the delta region of the state. So what is going on?
UPDATE: Bacterial Blight of Cotton
Over the past 7 days, numerous cotton fields have been determined to be infected with bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum (formerly Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum). In addition to the growing number of acres in MS having been
Insect Trap Counts, 7-14-11
Bollworm, tobacco budworm and beet armyworm pheromone trap captures remained similar to last week. Southwestern corn borer trap counts were lower this week, indicating that the second generation peak has past. One field in Leflore County had SWCB trap captures of
New Regulations for Refillable Pesticide Containers
Regulations will go into effect after August 16, 2011 which will affect retailers, commercial applicators, custom blenders, re-fillers, and registrants of refillable pesticide containers. Essentially, these new regulations will affect those who use and handle mini-bulk pesticide containers, including growers.
Bollworms Sprays Increasing in Soybeans: 7/15/2011
Last week we started getting calls about flushing bollworm moths in soybean fields and a few fields were at or above threshold on larvae. This week was the turning point. As of today (7/15/11) we have started treating many fields.
RICE STINKBUG ADVISORY
Rice Stinkbug Advisory As we have expected over the last month, rice stinkbug numbers will be high this year. After several reports and scouting fields, rice stinkbug numbers are coming in at 50 to over 100 rice stinkbugs per 10
First Bollworms Showing up in Mississippi Soybeans
This week we are starting to get some calls of the first soybean fields reaching threshold for bollworms. Bollworms (Corn Earworms) can be extremely devastating to soybeans because they feed directly on all fruiting structures. Many folks are also reporting
Watch for Fall Armyworms in Late Planted Soybeans
Over the last 10 days I have started getting calls about fall armyworms showing up in late planted soybeans. We see some of this every year, and it is primarily related to larvae moving off of a grass host after
Insect Trap Counts, July 7, 2011
Insect pheromone trap counts for the last week were steady to slightly lower for all species as a whole. Bollworm catches remained fairly high in some delta counties. Typically this week would have been the peak catch for second generation southwestern corn
Insect Trap Counts, June 30, 2011
Overall not much change in insect trap counts from last week. Bollworm counts were somewhat higher in the Delta and Central MS regions, tobacco budworm counts were lower in all regions, especially in the Delta were no budworms were caught this week.
Rainfastness of Insecticides
Every year when afternoon thunderstorms start popping up, the phone starts ringing about rainfastness. Rainfastness simply means the amount of time needed after application before a rainfall event for the product to still be effective. One thing I have figured
Insect Trap Counts, June 23, 2011
Pheromone trap counts for bollworm, tobacco budwrom and beet armyworm were all similar to last week in all regions. Counts of tobacco budworm and beet armyworm are high compared to historical data, especially in the central part of the state.
Insect Trap Counts, June 16, 2011
Pheromone catches of bollworm (corn earworm) came down slightly this week while tobacco budworm and beet armyworm catches are increasing, especially in Central MS. Southwestern corn borer traps indicate that the sewcond generation has begun. Most traps are still fairly
Spider Mite Update and Recommendations
Spider mites have been becoming more widespread over the last two weeks. Currently we have quite a few acres that have required treatment for spider mites and several that have already received 2 applications. The hot dry weather we have been dealing with for the last couple weeks is making the problem worse, and the numerous thrips applications this year has further led to the increased problems with spider mites by removing beneficial insects early.
Rice Water Weevil and Rice Stink Bug Update
Rice water weevil densities appear to be very high at some locations in Mississippi this year. I looked at two fields over the last week where adult feeding was actually affecting plants. Adult numbers were running as high as 4-5 weevils per plant.
Tarnished Plant Bugs Starting Off Big in 2011
This is certainly starting off like a “big†plant bug year. Most everyone is reporting threshold to 3 and 4 X thresholds of adult plant bugs moving into cotton that is squaring. Most people are also reporting unusually high numbers of plant bugs in group IV flowering soybeans compared to most years and I had one report the other day of a corn field 4-8 nymph plant bugs per ear on purple silk corn.
Insect Trap Counts, June 9, 2011
Pheromone trap counts for the week ending on 6-9-2011 show higher tobacco budworm and beet armyworm counts from the previous week. Corn earworm counts were similar to last week. All three of these insects are at levels where treatable larval populations
After the Flood: Row Crop Replanting
MSU Extension Service and MAFES researchers have compiled the following suggestions and information regarding replanting and managing row crops after the flood. Also included is post-flood crop insurance information.
Proper Use of A Sweep Net
Variability between people using sweep nets can be huge. Assume four people go to the field and take 100 sweeps each. I would almost guarantee you that each will come back with 4 different counts even if the insects are perfectly uniform.
Monitoring Square Retention Critical for Migrating Plant Bugs
Square retention is a critical component of early season plant bug management. I would strongly encourage you to take square retention counts along with your sweep net counts prior to bloom. Not only does this help in the decision making process of treating plant bugs, but it also helps you to get a better idea of how the products you are applying are working.
Insect Trap Counts, June 2, 2011
Corn earworm (bollworm) pheromone trap counts were higher this week, so larvae should be expected in vulnerable crops shortly. Tobacco budworm counts were also higher except in the Delta where none were caught this week. Southwestern corn borer counts are
Scout for Stink Bugs in Corn During Ear Shoot Development
While we have quite a few corn fields beginning to tassel, many more are have a little ways to go. There is a period of about 10-14 days when ears shoots become visible or begin to bulge on the side
Threecornered Alfalfa Hoppers Heavy in Some MS Cotton and Soybean Fields
Based on calls I have received over the last week and what I am seeing in my own research plots, this is shaping up to be a big year for threecornered alfalfa hoppers
