The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network report shows flea beetle activity is getting started across the prairies. The warm weather seems to have brought them out of overwintering locations. So far it seems crucifer flea beetles are more prevalent than the striped flea beetles.
Dr. Meghan Vankosky, a research scientist in field crop entomology with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), says there's also been some low numbers of diamondback moths in the pheromone traps. She notes warm weather can increase the rate of diamondback moth development, which could lead to increasing population densities and damage to crops.
Grasshopper nymphs are emerging and their growth and development will be favoured by the recent warm, dry weather conditions
To view the latest Prairie Pest Monitoring Network report click here.
The Manitoba Crop Pest Update by Entamologist John Gavloski and Weed Specialist Kim Brown is reporting populations of flea beetles in canola vary across the province. High levels have been reported in some regions. Foliar insecticide applications for flea beetles have started in some regions, including some edge treatments. Seed treatments currently seem to be providing adequate protection for many. There continues to be reports of cutworms being noticed in some fields, though economic damage has not yet been reported. Wireworms are also being noticed in some fields.
Manitoba's Weed Specialist Kim Brown is reporting burnoff sprays continue ahead of seeding in the last week and in-crop spraying has started in the earliest seeded cereals. We are starting to see warm season weeds like pigweeds now, be vigilant in scouting for waterhemp as it’s starting to show up.