Fall armyworms attack a wide range of grasses and other crops. Outbreaks have been reported on soybeans, sorghum, pastures and several other crops for over a month. We are having a biblical year with fall armyworm, especially in pastures and lawns. However, many are also wandering into the edges of soybean fields. My colleague, Dr. Frank Hale, recently sent the following information. Continue reading
Below is the updated, known distribution of sugarcane aphids in 2014, including confirmed finds on sorghum in Tennessee. This aphid is certainly present in at least low numbers in other areas. The second map shows the distribution of this invasive pest in 2013, showing the impressive spread Continue reading
This will be the last week that moth trapping data will be reported (link here). Results from last week indicate the the corn earworm (bollworm) flight has finally kicked off, but trap catches last week varied considerably from 2 – 213 moths per trap. The hot spots appear to be Continue reading
Insects are predictably unpredictable, but some general observations for this current week are below. Continue reading
I am pleased to announce the fast action of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the EPA in approving a specific exemption allowing the use of Transform WG for the control of sugarcane aphids in sorghum. Some specific label requirements are below. You may view the complete authorization letter here. Continue reading
Insect infestations have been generally mild in soybean fields thus far, but as usual, I am starting to get more calls about stink bugs and a few other pests. As other crops mature, including early maturing soybean fields, late season insect populations often concentrate in the remaining soybean fields. Let’s not forget to keep our eyes open. This may include corn earworm infestation in our latest maturing fields. Continue reading
The bollworm flight has begun in many areas. A general decline in plant bug populations is being observed, but stink bugs continue to linger. Some fields of cotton have now reached a maturity where we should and have terminated insecticide applications for plant bugs, stink bugs and bollworms. For later maturing fields, it may still be necessary to manage pest infestations for a Continue reading
I wrote an article last week about a find of white sugarcane aphids in Madison County. Aphids have now also been found in Shelby and Dyer Counties, so it seems likley they could be found in any sorghum field in west Tennessee. I must emphasis that overall populations are very low and don’t appear to Continue reading