In this issue:
- View from the Field
- Weather Outlook
- Western Bean Cutworm Update
- Clipboard Checklist
- Coming Events
- Contact Information
To view the full NYS IPM Weekly Field Crops Pest Report for August 10, 2012, click here.
View From the Field
While potato leafhopper (PLH) may still be the pest of the week, the word is populations are starting to decline. Fewer reports of PLH over threshold in alfalfa came in than during the week before. At the Cornell Research Farm in Valatie, PLH have dropped dramatically. I found only one per sample (10 sweeps of the net). Scouting in soybean fields in Dutchess County revealed nymphs at very low levels.
True armyworm still seems to be hanging around, with reports of armyworm activity in areas of western and northern NY. Targets are grass hayfields and mixed grass/legume stands.
Soybean aphids remain low statewide. Spider mites are still causing damage to soybeans in Western NY and are active in field corn and other crops. In Dutchess County the soybeans look very good with an average of 50 aphids per plant. Substantial numbers of ladybeetles were most likely feeding on the aphids. Japanese beetle has caused minor damage.
Western bean cutworm larvae FOUND! The first larvae of the season were found this week in field corn ears in Attica, NY (Wyoming Cty).
Diseases are starting to show up in soybeans this week. Downy mildew has been detected in Cayuga and Dutchess counties. We also found several other diseases in Dutchess County fields. I think we found bacterial blight, bacterial pustule, septoria leaf sport, frog eye leaf spot and cercospora leaf blight.
Stable flies are the dairy pest of the week. These biting flies attack animal’s legs. They lay eggs in moist decomposing materials like hay, manure and straw. They hatch into a maggot and then in about 20 days become an adult. If you see animals stomping their legs, it’s a good chance stable flies are biting.
Weather Outlook August 9, 2012
Andrew Montreuil, NOAA Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University
Temperatures last week were generally 3-6º above normal state wide. Precipitation was variable, depending on where individual thunderstorms produced heavy rain. Generally, areas in the Finger Lakes, Catskills, Mohawk Valley and North Country saw less than 1”. Western New York, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Adirondacks, however, saw over an inch. Base 50 Growing Degree Days were 150-175 statewide, except for the higher elevations of the Adirondacks, Catskills and Allegheny Plateau, where there were 125-150.
The next few days will be dominated by an upper level low stalled out over the Great Lakes. Waves of energy will spin around this low, bringing a chance for significant rain to the state.
For Thursday, scattered thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon. Storms should develop over the Finger Lakes early this afternoon, before moving towards eastern New York later. Additional storms, some with strong winds, will be possible over Western New York. High temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s.
Friday morning, low temperatures will be in the low to mid 60s. More widespread thunderstorms are likely, with some strong storms across the Southern Tier and southeast New York. Most areas should see rain. Highs will be in the upper 70s to mid 80s, dependent on morning sunshine. Areas that see morning sun are more likely to reach the mid 80s, while areas with clouds should remain in the 70s.
For Saturday, morning lows will be in the low 60s. A few showers or thunderstorms are possible, but most areas should stay dry. Highs will be in the mid to upper 70s, with some locations reaching 80.
On Sunday, the low over the Great Lakes will begin to depart. A couple showers are possible, especially over northern New York. Morning lows will be in the upper 50s to low 60s, with highs in the upper 70s to near 80.
A few showers or storms are possible for Monday afternoon, but most areas will likely stay dry. Morning lows will be in the upper 50s to low 60s, with highs in the low to mid 80s.
On Tuesday, a new, but weakening system will come into the state. Some scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible. Morning lows will be in the low to mid 60s, with highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Wednesday morning will also have morning lows in the low to mid 60s and highs in the mid to upper 80s. Most areas will be dry, but a couple showers or storms cannot be ruled out.
Expected rainfall over the next 5 days should be near or over an inch for most areas in the state. Higher amounts, possibly near 2”, will be possible across western New York and the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as in any heavier thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. The 8-14 Day outlook calls for above normal temperatures to near or slightly above normal precipitation.
Maps of 8-14 day outlooks:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/index.php
National Weather Service watch/warnings map:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/hq/
NRCC Drought Page which features the US Drought Monitor map (updated every Thursday):
http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/page_drought.html
Western Bean Cutworm Update
Keith Waldron, NYS IPM Program
Western Bean Cutworm captures continued to drop off again this week. As of this writing, a total of 241 WBC moths were caught in the 43 traps reporting this week, down from 909 WBC moths caught in 62 traps last week. Trap catches ranged from 0 to 35. The majority of our NY trap catch numbers are relatively low and do not indicate any cause for concern. Interestingly, 13 traps have caught less than a total 10 WBC moths so far this season. High counts this week came from: Jefferson (34) and Wyoming (35).
WBC egg masses were again collected in Franklin county this week. See photo below. WBC egg masses are laid on the upper surface of corn leaves close to the tassel while the tassel is still in the whorl. New eggs are white and turn purple 1-2 days before hatching. Eggs hatch in 5-7 days.
Corn fields adjacent to Attica NY dry bean field location in Wyoming county were checked this week for egg masses, none were found. However, several 1-2 instar western bean cutworm larvae were found. Multiple larvae may be found per ear. Very young WBC have very distinct spots, their true legs are black, and they loop when they walk.
2nd and 3rd instar WBC larvae look like armyworms. Dr. Difonzo states that: middle aged WBC larvae look like true armyworm without the bands on their prolegs. WBC larvae have a gap between their true legs at the front and the prolegs (chubby back legs). This gap causes them to walk like an inch worm.”
In the weeks ahead be on the lookout for signs of WBC larval feeding in corn ears. WBC infested ears may contain more than one larva. Larvae may enter through the silk channel at the ear tip or can bore through the husk or ear shank. Excessive bird activity and damage may indicate insect larvae are in the ears. Damage caused by larval feeding can open ears up to potential risk of ear molds.
More WBC monitoring information is available at:
Western Bean Cutworm identification card – including larval stages.
http://sweetcorn.nysipm.cornell.edu/western-bean-cutworm-id-card/
Cornell Sweet Corn Monitoring Network
Penn State Pest Watch (Includes WBC data from NY, New England and other states)
Ontario WBC Trap Network
Cornell Field Crop Extension Homepage: “field crops.org” “blog” section.
Western Bean Cutworm – Corn scouting videos:
Ontario
Wisconsin
The NY WBC trapping program will continue through August.
Clipboard Checklist
Keith Waldron, NYS IPM
General:
* Emergency contact information (“911”, local hospital, Chem. Spill emergency contact, other?) posted in central posting area
* Maintain crop records by field, including variety, planting date, pesticides used, nutrient inputs including manure, etc.
* Watch for any patches of herbicide resistant weeds, weed escapes
* Storage areas cleaned and ready to accept hay, wheat harvest
Corn:
* Monitor fields for plant vigor, growth stage, vegetative stage pest issues (corn rootworm, European corn borer, spider mites, armyworm, foliar diseases, western bean cutworm larvae in ears, nutritional deficiencies)
* Monitor for weeds, note presence of “who”, “how many” and “where”
Small Grains:
* Evaluate crop for maturity, lodging, time till harvest
* Grain bins ready to accept upcoming harvest?
Alfalfa & Hay:
* Monitor alfalfa seedings for weeds, insects & diseases.
* Check re-growth of established alfalfa stands for potato leafhopper, weed and disease problems.
* Monitor grass hay fields for armyworm
Soybeans:
* Evaluate stand growth, development and condition
* Monitor fields for soybean aphid, foliar diseases, white mold, natural enemies, weed escapes, spider mites
Dairy Livestock Barn Fly Management:
* Sanitation, sanitation, sanitation – clean animal resting areas, feed troughs, minimize source of moist organic matter i.e. fly breeding areas in barn and in adjacent animal loafing yard
* Check water sources, drainage, roof gutters for leaks and potential overspill
* Continue fly monitoring: install “3X5” index card fly speck monitoring cards throughout barn
* Install/refresh/replenish as needed: fly tapes, insecticide baits, natural enemies (parasitoids
Dairy Livestock Pasture Fly Management:
* Monitor animals for presence of pasture fly pests. Treatment guidelines: Horn flies (50 per dairy animal side, 100 per side for beef cattle), face flies (10 per animal face), stable flies (10 per 4 legs). See: (http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/livestock)
* Consider installing biting fly traps to reduce horse, deer and stable fly populations.
Storage:
* Check storage areas (bunk silos, etc.) for readiness to accept upcoming wheat harvest
* Clean in and outside of storage bins and grain handling equipment
* Keep areas around storage bins and silos clean and mowed
* Check areas around storage bins and silos for vertebrate tunneling
* Check temperature of recently baled hay in hay mow
Equipment:
* Note any repairs needed for recently used equipment: tractors, tillage implements, planters, sprayers, etc. as they are cleaned and serviced.
* Service hay harvesting equipment as needed.
* Calibrate manure spreaders – maintain records on amount spread per field
PESTICIDE EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Emergency responder information on pesticide spills and accidents…
CHEMTREC – 800-424-9300
For pesticide information
National Pesticide Information Center: 800-858-7378
To Report Oil and Hazardous Material Spills in New York State
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Spill Response – 800-457-7362 (in NYS), 518-457-7362 (outside NYS)
Poison Control Centers
Poison Control Centers nationwide – 800-222-1222
If you are unable to reach a Poison Control Center or obtain the information your doctor needs, the office of the NYS Pesticide Coordinator at Cornell University, 607-255-1866, may be able to assist you in obtaining such information.
Coming Events
2012 New York Corn and Soybean Grower Summer Crop Tour, August 14, 2012, Dumond Farm, Union Springs, NY, 8:30 – 4:30 pm. http://nycornsoy.org/news-a-events/10-events/45-register-for-the-2012-summer-crop-tour
Contact Information
Keith Waldron: NYS Livestock and Field Crops IPM Coordinator
Phone: (315) 787 – 2432
Fax: (315) 787-2360
Email: jkw5@cornell.edu
Ken Wise: Eastern NYS IPM Area Educator: Field Crops and Livestock
Phone: (518) 434-1690
Fax: (518) 426-3316
Email: klw24@cornell.edu
