Flea beetle. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Flea beetle damage ‘moderate’ across Prairies so far

Levels in Manitoba hit thresholds for spraying, reseeding canola

MarketsFarm — Flea beetles, cutworms and diamondback moths are only a few of the pests Prairie farmers have to deal with — and this year, so far, damage from flea beetles and cutworms has varied, as have moth counts. “Flea beetles are common throughout the Prairies, everywhere we grow canola. We haven’t been able to

Flea beetles were aggressive feeders in 2019, leading to multiple spray passes for some farmers.

Year in review: Keep an eye out for these critters in 2020

Entomologist John Gavloski says these should be on your radar

Based on what went on in Manitoba fields this past season, producers may want to be on the lookout for several insects in 2020 that could potentially make a reappearance. At the top of the list are flea beetles, cutworms and grasshoppers, according to Manitoba’s provincial entomologist, John Gavloski. Speaking at the recent Manitoba Agronomists


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.

Dig down to spot cutworms early

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

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

Dingy cutworms show the species’ tire-like back markings, compared to the more unbroken strips seen in redbacked or darksided cutworms.

Unearth the pests lurking in your soil

No clipped-off plants yet? You may still have cutworms

You’ll need to get your hands a little dirty. Otherwise you may have no idea what’s about to chomp your crop — until it’s too late. John Gavloski, Manitoba Agriculture entomologist, says farmers should watch for cutworm and wireworm damage, something that, in both cases, will require digging in the soil around plants. The three

Flea beetles, cutworm numbers cause for concern

Manitoba Insect & Disease Update for June 6, 2018

Diseases: No disease incidents reported this week. Insects: Flea beetles and cutworms continue to be the main insect concerns. Flea beetles are a concern in many canola fields and foliar insecticide applications are occurring in many areas. There has also been some reseeding of canola because of flea beetle feeding. Now that cutworms are getting larger and their feeding more prominent, some economic populations have been


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

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

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

Redbacked cutworm larvae and pupae. The pest overwinters as eggs and populations can show quite variable staging. Many will now be into their later larval stage.

Fairly average year for cutworms, flea beetles

Cutworms may be taking a bite out of your canola, but with proper planning 
they won’t eat into yields


Cutworms and flea beetles continue to affect some canola fields in the province, but experts say that while cutworm damage may be marginally lower this year than last, beetle damage may have scuttled ahead of previous years. Still, the margins are slim at best. “I think every year is a flea beetle and cutworm year,”

Alfalfa weevils at high levels, more stripe rust detected

Manitoba Insect & Disease Update for June 21

Alfalfa weevil has been reported at high levels in fields in the Interlake, Southwest, and Northwest. There are some lingering cutworm issues in the northwest, although populations of cutworm in many locations are turning to pupae. Stripe rust has been detected in more locations around Manitoba. The disease is known to have overwintered in Manitoba near Austin. Reports have come in of detections


Alfalfa weevil larvae.

Hail and fungicide timing, alfalfa weevil levels seen high

Manitoba Insect & Disease Update for June 14

Recent hail events in the province have left producers wondering whether or not they should be using a fungicide at the herbicide timing. Flea beetles in canola, and cutworms continue to be the main insects of concern, although for both concern is diminishing as canola advances to stages less susceptible to feeding from flea beetles, and some cutworms larvae turn to pupae. Alfalfa

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus on spring wheat.

Wheat streak mosaic virus found in spring wheat, fusarium maps available

Manitoba Insect & Disease Update for June 7

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus has been detected in the Wawanesa area (read more below) and Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) Risk Maps area also now available. Flea beetles in canola, and cutworms continue to be the main insects of concern. A hatch of the potential pest species of grasshoppers has started, but so far levels are quite low. Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus There was a