There have been a few reports of spider mites and a little bit of spraying in cotton. This does not come as a big surprise as we have been hot, dry and spraying aggressively for thrips. The spider mite treatment threshold in cotton is when 30-50% of plants are affected and Continue reading
All posts by Scott Stewart, West TN Research & Education Center
Spraying for Southwestern Corn Borer
There have been several reports about treatment level, and in some cases very high, infestations of southwestern corn borer in non-Bt corn. I’ve written a few recent articles about dealing with this pest (see links below). There are a few other Continue reading
Follow-up on Foliar Thrips Test
Last week I reported the results of a foliar insecticide test for thrips on cotton at the WTREC (sprayed 5/18, rated 5/21). Cotton was at the 1-leaf stage at the time of application, and an at-planting insecticide or seed treatment was not used. A follow-up application was made Continue reading
Threecornered Alfalfa Hoppers – Soybean and Cotton
![TCAH-adult-close-web](https://news.utcrops.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/TCAH-adult-close-web-150x150.jpg)
Phone calls about threecornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) have ballooned this week. Tennessee is on the northern edge of their distribution, so we sometimes see low populations in early season following a harsh winter. But with the mild winter last year, TCAH appear to be off to an early start. These insects have piercing-sucking mouthparts and will feed in a circular pattern (girdle) around stems and Continue reading
Preparing for Plant Bugs
As our earliest cotton is beginning to square, below are a few bullet points to remember. We need to be especially alert considering the unusual season we have had thus far. There almost certainly has been an extra generation of tarnished plant bugs give the early spring we had this year.
- Initially, the heaviest tarnished plant bug infestations are often concentrated in Continue reading
Here Come the Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles are getting more and more numerous, and like a lot of insects this year, populations are ahead of schedule. Japanese beetles will feed in corn, soybean and cotton. These showy beetles often hang out in groups and draw a lot of attention. Fortunately, they only occasionally cause yield loss in field crops. The beetles will feed on Continue reading
Scouting for Southwestern Corn Borer
Given the high moth catches in pheromone traps, particularly in the West Tennessee counties bordering Kentucky, there are certainly some non-Bt corn fields that are (or will be) infested with damaging populations of Continue reading
Will False Chinch Bugs Continue?
Calls have diminished about false chinch bugs in cotton. However, calls about new infestations are still trickling in, so we are not necessarily out of the woods. There have been many fields treated with insecticide, and spot replanting was also needed in Continue reading