Agricultural pest insects Archives - Page 2 of 9

The first case of Bt-resistant European corn borer is a reminder to Manitoba corn growers to plant non-Bt refuge and select hybrids with at least two different Bt traits.

Heads-up on preserving corn borer-resistant corn

Bt breakdown highlights the importance of following refuge protocols

By Allan Dawson June 20, 2019

The first case of European corn borer resistance to Bt corn underscores the need for Manitoba corn growers to take steps to protect the technology, says Manitoba Agriculture’s entomologist John Gavloski. That development was recently confirmed in Nova Scotia. “If corn growers are growing Bt (corn borer)-resistant corn they need to be taking the refuge

Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).

Did you know?, News

Fruit-eating bug marches west

It’s been a familiar sight in Manitoba for a while,  and now seems set on new horizons

By James Tansey Saskatchewan Ministry Of Agriculture June 4, 2019

A pest that has targeted strawberries and other soft fruits in Manitoba could be headed west. The spotted wing drosophila, which is thought to have come from southeast Asia, has been spotted in Manitoba in small numbers. SWD’s presence in Alberta and British Columbia suggests Saskatchewan may be the bug’s next home. SWD is an

Dingy cutworm (right) may already be out and leaving missing chunks in leaves, but the redbacked cutworm (left) may get clipping as we move into June.

Crops, Local news

Dig down to spot cutworms early

Have cutworms? At this time of year, dingy cutworm is likely to be the culprit

By Alexis Stockford June 3, 2019

The cutworms may already be out, but the damage is unlikely to look like the usual “clipped” stems, according to provincial entomologist John Gavloski. Dingy cutworms are the only species likely to be mature enough to cause damage, as they overwinter as larvae, he said during a May 22 Crop Talk webinar. The greyish, dull-coloured

Aphid numbers this year have been a fraction of what was seen in 2017.

Crops, News

Manitoba sees low aphid counts

Last year was a bad aphid year for a variety of crops, but few problems have been noted this season

By Alexis Stockford July 23, 2018

Last year’s aphid problems have become this year’s near absence. Farmers are not fighting with aphids this year, according to the province, a departure from last year when levels prompted insecticide applications in a wide variety of crops from wheat to canary seed. “We’ve got lots of people out looking for aphids and, in most

Crops, News

Potato beetle resistance brewing

Potato producers are getting ready for their yearly fight with Colorado potato beetle, but in some places the products don’t work the way they used to

By Alexis Stockford May 1, 2018

The battle against Colorado potato beetle is becoming more difficult every season. It’s not a new problem. As early as 2014, producer groups were already warning that Colorado potato beetles were becoming increasingly resistant to neonicotinoids. Four years later, the problem has not gone away and, in some patches of the province, has arguably got

University of Manitoba entomologist Tharshi Nagalingam breaks down the flea beetle threat at CanoLAB March 15, including what she says is a shift to more striped flea beetles in the province.

Crops, Local news

CanoLAB speaker: It’s time to check your flea beetle species

Striped flea beetles haven’t seen the dramatic rise here as they have in Alberta, but one of the CanoLAB speakers in Dauphin says the insects are still more common than they were decades ago

By Alexis Stockford April 4, 2018

There’s a new flea beetle in town, at least according to some datasets. University of Manitoba entomologist Tharshi Nagalingam says striped flea beetles are on the rise in the province, something that may impact farmer choices on early management. “It affects them a lot because striped flea beetles are less susceptible for seed treatments… we

A lygus bug prepares to wreak havoc on a canola plant.

Crops

Be on the watch for insect-issue bleed over

Manitoba Agriculture’s 2017 insect summary may give  producers an idea of what to scout for, as well as any rotation changes to avoid pest woes next season

By Alexis Stockford January 24, 2018

Last year’s pest problems may give an idea of what to be on watch for next season. The insect summary for 2017 is in, and Manitoba Agriculture entomologist John Gavloski says the report may give producers valuable insight when planning scouting and, in some cases, rotations. Aphids unknown Not all insects carry over in the

Multicoloured Asian lady beetles search around the outside of a house in south-central Manitoba, looking for a good spot to spend the winter.

Local news, Other

Weathering the swarm

Lady beetles were a welcome addition to the field this summer, but the overwintering habits of one non-native species now has some rural residents irked

By Alexis Stockford October 12, 2017

They’re on walls. They’re on ceilings. They’re on cups left in cupboards and anything left outside. If you’re in south-central Manitoba and feel something crawling on your arm, chances are it’s a lady beetle. The annual swarm is nothing new to rural Manitobans during September and October, but populations are particularly hearty this year with

European corn borer has been a sporadic problem in Manitoba since the pest was discovered here in 1948.

Cereals, Crops

Fighting European corn borer? Manitoba Agriculture wants to hear from you

There’s been no Bt resistance yet in Manitoba’s European corn borer population,  but entomologist John Gavloski is keeping a sharp eye out

By Alexis Stockford September 26, 2017

John Gavloski is back on the hunt for European corn borer (ECB). The provincial entomologist hopes to collect 50-100 larvae from Carman-area fields this year, part of a long-standing project to monitor resistance to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a toxin-producing bacteria and the most commonly cited ECB management method. Bt is either used as a spray,

Soybean aphids in a field near Portage la Prairie photographed July 26, 2017.

Crops, Oilseeds

Get scouting, soybean aphids showing up in fields

When populations hit 250 and are still rising consider applying an insecticide, but don’t forget to take beneficial insects into account. There’s an app for that

By Allan Dawson August 22, 2017

Soybean aphids can now be found in many Manitoba fields and farmers should be scouting for them, John Gavloski, Manitoba Agriculture’s extension entomologist, said in an interview July 27. As of last week populations were generally well below the economic threshold, but some higher populations did exist, he said. Some spraying was going on in

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Tag Archives Agricultural pest insects