ATTENTION CROP PRODUCERS - BERTA ARMYWORM July 17, 2013 - Smoky Lake County assists the Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network (AIPMN) in conducting insect surveys throughout the growing season. Bertha Armyworm months have been noticed in elevated levels (500 to 700 moths per location) throughout the County. Newly hatched bertha armyworm larvae are pale green with a light yellow stripe along each side of the body. At larval maturity berthas are about 1.5 inches long and their body color often changes to a dark brown or velvety black with a yellow/ orange stripe along each side. Regular monitoring of bertha armyworm larvae is essential to allow for early detection and minimize crop losses. For accurate monitoring, at least three locations and a minimum of 50 meters apart in each field should be looked at. Headlands and areas that are not representative of the entire field should not be surveyed as they do not provide accurate results. The economic threshold level for bertha armyworms is typically 17 to 20 larvae per square meter. If fields are sprayed remember to refer to the product label for preharvest intervals (NOTE: Preharvest mean the swathing interval not combining interval) and product rate information.) Remember that although traps counts are elevated the need to spray is possible in localized areas, but may not be necessary in all fields. Current insect forecast maps can be viewed online at: agric.gov.ab.ca (click ‘maps & multimedia’ ‘insect maps’) For more information contact your local agricultural retail location or the Smoky Lake County Agriculture Department at 780-656-3730. Resources: canolawatch.org; canolacouncil.org AGRI-FACTS, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Agdex 622-25
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 17:12:36 +0000
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