Experts Find Bacteria That Help Pests Change Colour

Scientists in Japan and France have identified a bacterium which appears to turn red plant lice green, enabling them to evade predators and thrive on crops. The discovery has important implications for pest control as these lice, or aphids, are among the most destructive insects in temperate regions, sucking on the sap of cultivated plants.

Soybean Aphid, Green Clover Worm Update – for Aug. 26, 2010

Soybean aphids haven’t been a problem in Mani toba so far this year, although populations are increasing in some fields in the Beausejour and southern Interlake area. That’s what John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives said here Aug. 18 during the first “harvest” Crop Diagnostic School at the University of


Cankerworms Develop A Taste For Canola

An insect pest with no appetite for canola has found its way into some southern Manitoba canola crops thanks to recent stormy weather. In his weekly insect and disease update, provincial entomologist John Gavloski said cankerworms had been reported feeding in a canola field near Winkler. He noted that the pests don’t normally feed on

In Brief… – for Dec. 10, 2009

Tracking alien species: A new website established by the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba will help document the spread of invasive species such as purple loosestrife, Dutch elm disease and leafy spurge in the province. The website, which is an expansion of a website previously devoted to aquatic invasive species, offers resources, an option for


New Eight-Gene, Insect-, Herbicide-Tolerant Corn Approved U. S., Canada

Manitoba corn growers have to wait awhile to get Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences’ new eight-gene (trait) SmartStax corn that requires only a five per cent refuge and boasts multiple “modes of action” against insect and weed pests. “We’re definitely going to look at it (for Western Canada), but the priority for the launch in 2010

Control Action Against Gypsy Moth Considered

“A notorious defoliator of broad-leaved trees.” A new insect pest has arrived in Manitoba and the government is acting fast to eradicate it before it gains a foothold. Manitoba Conservation hopes this spring to conduct aerial spraying against the gypsy moth in two areas near Winnipeg where it has been found. The province wants swift


Gypsy Moth Considered A Threat To River Trees

Manitoba Conservation will hold public open house meetings to inform the public of options available for containing further spread of the European gypsy moth, which has been identified in areas of St. Germain and La Salle. The European gypsy moth was accidentally introduced to the United States in 1869. It spread throughout the northeast United

New Protection From Wireworm Damage

Canadian potato growers have a new tool to reduce the damage caused by wireworm with new Titan (clothiandin). Available for the 2009 planting season, Titan is the only seed piece treatment registered for suppression of the damage caused by wireworm. “Protecting potatoes from the moment the seed piece hits the ground gives growers a head


Soybean crop surprisingly good in 2008

It was a year in which almost everything that could go wrong did for Manitoba soybean producers. But in the end, things turned out surprisingly well. “We were very happy with the yields,” said Bruce Brolley, a Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives pulse crop specialist. You wouldn’t have known it from producers attending St.

Storage protocols can protect profits

Producers can keep their grain crops in good condition this fall by following tips from the Canadian Grain Commission about preventing insect infestations during storage. To help producers identify and control potential infestations, the Canadian Grain Commission’s web site features updated information about many species of insect pests. Videos show the insects in action. The