GREEN JUNE BEETLES cruising over lawns and feeding on fruits and vegetables;
FALL WEBWORMS on a variety of trees;
SOYBEAN aphids on soybean;
MILLIPEDES invading homes in some areas
If you would like to participate in the Pest Management survey, there is still time. Just go to our web site at http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kyipm/opening.htm or you can request a copy be mailed to you. To request a mailed copy of this survey or if you have questions about this survey or the research you can contact Patty Lucas, P.O. Box 469, Princeton, KY 42445 or telephone at (270) 365-7541 extension 218 or e-mail at plucas@uky.edu.
One lucky person completing the survey will receive a Tubby Smith autographed UK basketball. If you wish to be included in the random drawing to receive the basketball, just enter your e-mail address at the end of the web survey or a telephone number or e-mail if you are completing a hard copy. E-mail addresses and telephone numbers provided will be confidential, will be used only to select a winner for the basketball and will be removed from your answers.
If you have already completed a survey, thank you.
As of July 17, 2006, blue mold has been confirmed in 43 counties in KY, as well as in OH, PA, TN, and VA. It's probably fair to say that a good bit of the tobacco east of I-65 has been exposed to the blue mold pathogen, and that blue mold is present in a majority of the counties in this area even if we haven't reported it. Depending upon local weather conditions, growers should consider maintaining fungicide programs until topping time. Experience has shown us that topping and good control of suckers helps to slow the progress of blue mold. Up to this point, timely applications of fungicide are critical to achieving good control. Ideally, any of the fungicides cleared for tobacco should be applied prior to the appearance of blue mold symptoms, or when symptoms first appear at the latest. Control of blue mold becomes difficult, if not impossible, the longer fungicide applications are delayed after the onset of disease. Timing is especially important with Actigard. As you know, Actigard is not a true fungicide. It works by inducing mechanisms of disease resistance in the tobacco plant, and this process takes around 4 days according to the Actigard label. This lag time is the reason that Actigard cannot be relied upon to provide adequate control of blue mold if the disease is present at low-to-high levels of severity at the time of application. Where disease has become established, a tank-mix of Acrobat 50W and Dithane DF might be a better choice for growers who have not put a preventive fungicide program in place. Keep in mind that where blue mold is severe, it may be difficult to achieve good control or prevent losses. In any situation where blue mold is present at the time of fungicide application, growers should expect to see symptoms progress for a few days afterward.
Timing is an important part of applying fungicides for maximum effectiveness. Weathering and the emergence of new, unprotected tissue are the reasons we need to apply disease control products in a timely manner. Intervals between sprays vary by fungicide, but in general use a short interval where disease pressure is severe or when conditions remain favorable for disease for extended periods of time. Use the longer interval under less favorable conditions, but keep in mind that delaying application past the manufacturer's recommended timing can lead to poor control of disease. Actigard lists a fixed interval of 10 days between sprays, and three applications are allowed per season. Data from KY show that two applications of Actigard beginning when plants are 18" tall and spaced 10 days apart will provide control of blue mold up to topping on early maturing varieties. An additional application of Actigard or another product may be required on mid-to-late maturing varieties. For all products, refer to the label for specific information on application timing. Application method also influences the effectiveness of materials we spray for blue mold. Application volume should be sufficient to get good coverage, and should be increased as the tobacco grows. Sprayer pressure needs to be high enough to provide the desired volume with the nozzles that are chosen for the application, and ideally sprayers should be equipped with drop nozzles. The latter becomes critical as tobacco grows beyond knee-high. Actigard is the only product recommended for tobacco that can be effectively applied with a broadcast boom (one without drops) due to its systemic nature.
I'm getting a number of calls about tank-mixing Actigard with Acrobat/Dithane or Quadris for control of established blue mold. I don't think this is a good idea because any tank-mix with Actigard will be expensive and Actigard would not have an immediate effect (remember the 4-day activation period required for this product) anyway. As I mentioned earlier, Actigard is a very good, stand-alone product for control of blue mold, and does not need a tank-mix partner. I have also heard that some growers have been told that Quilt, a premix of azoxystrobin (Quadris) and propiconazole (Tilt), is a strong preventive and curative product for blue mold. We know that azoxystrobin has efficacy against the blue mold pathogen - the Section 3 label for Quadris (when it's cleared) will include blue mold as well as target spot and frogeye. Propiconazole, however, is not labeled on tobacco and has no activity against the blue mold pathogen or any related organism (Pythium and Phytophthora, for example). What's more, propiconazole and its relatives (DMI fungicides) can act as growth regulators on many species of plants. Symptoms can include discoloration, distortion, and stunting. Applying Quilt or Tilt could lead to significant (and unwanted, I'm sure) plant injury along with potential loss of yield and quality. I checked the Quilt label and learned that it contains 0.62 lb of azoxystrobin and around 1.04 lb of propiconazole per gallon. Quadris contains 2.08 lb of azoxystrobin per gallon, or 3.35 times more than Quilt. That means that a grower would have to use about 3 times the lowest labeled rate of Quilt to get the equivalent amount of azoxystrobin found in 8 fl oz/A of Quadris. The rate of propiconazole would also be tripled, drastically increasing the potential for crop injury. Another point to consider is that residues of any pesticide not labeled for use on tobacco could be grounds for refusal of the crop by contractors, or even loss of contracts, so we need to discourage the notion of using Quilt on tobacco as quickly as we can!
Any county reporting blue mold should send in a leaf sample (if not sent already) for the oospore survey. We need leaves with symptoms of blue mold (enough to have about 25 lesions), and these can be shipped to us in plastic bags (don't include moist paper towels). See www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/ext_files/PPFShtml/ppfsagt8.pdf for list of fungicides labeled for tobacco, or refer to Kentucky Pest News No. 1095.
For the latest blue mold status and other tobacco disease information, check the KY Blue Mold Warning System online.
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/kpn/kyblue/kyblue.htm
For more information about tobacco pests, visit "Insect Management Recommendations".
The following is a reprint of the article that appeared in last week's issue, with corrections of two confusing misprints in the paragraph describing symptoms.
The virus complex in Kentucky corn is caused by two viruses that typically occur together: maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV). Both viruses overwinter principally in rhizomes of johnsongrass. MDMV is transmitted by certain aphids; MCDV is transmitted by the black-faced leafhopper.
Severe cases of the virus complex have shown up in the diagnostic lab in the last few weeks. In susceptible hybrids, both viruses can cause color changes in leaves and stunting, particularly through internode shortening. MDMV causes leaves to turn yellow, usually with mosaic symptoms. MCDV causes leaf blades to turn yellow, often with reddish coloration around the margin of the blade. Plants infected with MCDV also exhibit clearing of the tiniest leaf veins; this symptom is best perceived by carefully comparing symptomatic leaves to healthy leaves by holding them up to the sky and allowing light to pass through them.
Destruction of rhizome johnsongrass prior to seeding a susceptible hybrid is an effective control measure. If the field has more than a trace amount of rhizome johnsongrass, hybrids planted should have some resistance or tolerance to the virus complex. The more badly infested the field is with rhizomes, the more important it is to have a hybrid with resistance or tolerance. Likewise, the later the crop is planted, the more important it is to have a hybrid that can sustain virus activity, since later crops tend to be exposed to more virus pressure.
For information about corn pests, visit
"Insect Management Recommendations".
On 24 June aphids were observed in a soybean field near Lexington in Fayette Co. KY. Samples were subsequently collected on 26 June. The aphids, all juvenile, were placed on young soybean plants in colony on 27 June and allowed to grow and reproduce until winged adults were present. On 07 July aphids of all life stages were collected from the colony, placed in 95% alcohol and sent to Dr. David Voegtlin (Illinois Natural History Survey) for identification. On 13 July I received notification that the aphids submitted for identification are indeed soybean aphid Aphis glycines.
This confirmation will have no immediate impact on KY's management recommendations. However, it does provide strong (but not conclusive) evidence that the soybean aphid is over-wintering in at least some KY locations.
The presence of these aphids alone is not very unusual. However, their presence in light of the very low numbers of aphids currently present in the upper Midwest and the fact that no migrating aphids have yet been captured in the aphid suction trap network indicate that aphids may be over-wintering in KY. In the long term this could be very important information. Our next step will be to try to locate the over-wintering host in the area near this early find.
Although these aphids were found somewhat earlier than usual, the population is very small. Other factors such as high temperatures and an abundance of predatory and parasitic natural enemies are likely to keep the numbers low. Producers and consultants should continue to scout for the aphid. However, past history in KY and the current low numbers in states that more often have problems, indicate that we are unlikely to have a major problem.
You can keep up with soybean aphid on a national scale by viewing the Soybean Aphid / Soybean Rust web pages at: http://www.sbrusa.net/ . The soybean rust information will appear first. Just select the soybean aphid from the pest menu in the upper right hand corner. To see information about movement of soybean aphid view data from the North Central Regional Suction Trap Network at: http://www.ncipmc.org/traps/.
For more information about soybean pests, visit
"Insect Management Recommendations".
Grape disease pressure has been is extremely high this year. Disease-favorable weather in spring combined with poor disease management practices in some cases promoted early infections of grapes by the Botrytis fungus. As grapes begin to mature and get closer to harvest, current hot, humid weather is favorable to Botrytis bunch rot disease. On highly susceptible varieties, the disease can cause serious losses resulting from decay of berries in the field or in storage. Fruit decay is generally greater on tight-clustered varieties of Vitis vinifera and French hybrids, although berries of all varieties are susceptible. Examples of susceptible tight-clustered grapes include Pinot Noir, Riesling, Seyval, and Vignoles.
Symptoms. As berries ripen, the appearance of decayed fruit within the bunch is the most common and destructive aspect of this disease. At first appearing soft and watery, the berries of white cultivars become brown and shriveled, and those of purple cultivars develop a reddish color. One or a few berries within the bunch or the entire bunch may be affected. Often, healthy berries can become infected from adjacent diseased berries. Under moist conditions, infected fruit may be covered with a tan or gray growth of fungal mycelium and spores. Decayed berries eventually shrivel and fall to the ground as hard mummies. Early in the season, the fungus also can cause a blossom blight that can result in significant crop loss. Leaf infections resulting in dead spots limited by leaf veins can occur in grapes, but they are unimportant.
Casual organism and disease patterns. Botrytis bunch rot is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. The Botrytis fungus can attack many different kinds of plants and can thrive on dead plant material as a saprophyte. The fungus survives as sclerotia (durable survival structures) in grape mummies, dead grape tissues, additional plant hosts and other organic debris in and around the vineyard. Thus, the fungus is generally always present in the vineyard. In spring, sclerotia germinate and as the fungus grows, it produces spores (conidia) that can be carried by air currents and spread the disease. In spring, as grape blooms die, the spores germinate and colonize dead flower parts. Using the dead tissue as a food base, the fungus invades the just-forming berry. After penetrating the berry, the fungus may lie dormant until the fruit begins to ripen with increased sugar and decreased acid levels favorable for fungal growth. Warm, moist weather favors rapid symptom development.
Berries not infected at bloom may become infected closer to harvest via wounds. Such injuries may be caused by birds, insects, hail, and powdery mildew. Berry swelling during ripening in tightly packed clusters causes pressure that also can rupture the berries and create a wound site. Wet and humid conditions enhance disease development in the berry clusters.
Control.
Some cases of West Nile virus are being reported so here are some tips:
1. Avoid mosquito bites. Repellents proved personal protection when you are outdoors for long periods of time and mosquitoes are active. DEET has been the standard for mosquito repellents for about 50 years and is still recognized as providing effective, long term protection against mosquitoes and many other blood-feeding arthropods. It is available in a wide range of products with varying concentrations of the active ingredient. However, some object to the odor of DEET or the oily feeling that it leaves on the skin. There also are concerns about applications to children. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has announced the addition of picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus as effective repellents. They provide protection comparable to products containing 10% DEET.
2. Mosquito-proof your home by draining standing water, and install or repair window screens. Many important WNV vector mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of water standing around homes. The most important vector species flies at night and readily enters structures through open windows and doors.
3. Help your community by reporting dead birds to your local health department. Often a test can determine whether or not the bird was killed by West Nile virus and serve as a early warning of activity in the area.
Downy mildew has been reported on cucurbit crops in MI and OH in recent weeks. We don't have any reason to believe that the disease has reached KY; however, the early appearance of downy mildew in northern states could signal an imminent outbreak in the Commonwealth. Downy mildew on cucurbits is an aggressive, fast-moving disease and can be really hard to stop when it gets started. Under the right conditions, infection levels can go from 10% of leaf area infected to 90-100% in less than a week!
Identifying downy mildew on cucurbits can be a little tricky, because symptoms on each species vary to some degree. What's more, downy mildew can be confused with powdery mildew. Both of these diseases are similar in that they are caused by obligate pathogens, meaning that the pathogen must be associated with a host plant to survive. The downy mildew pathogen, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is not a true fungus. It belongs to the Oomycetes and is related to the pathogen that causes blue mold of tobacco; however, powdery mildew is caused by Podosphaera xanthii and belongs to the Ascomycete group of "true" fungi. Although downy mildew is more common in wet weather, fogs and heavy dews can contribute enough moisture to allow infection during "dry" weather. Powdery mildew is more likely to be a problem when conditions are hot and dry, and it tends to develop gradually over the course of several weeks. In terms of symptoms, the two diseases can be confused. Early on, both can cause yellow spots on the upper surface of a leaf. In the case of downy mildew, leaf spots tend to be small, blocky, and are limited by leaf veins, while spots associated with powdery mildew are round and somewhat diffuse. On the underside of a leaf with downy mildew, lesions will initially appear sunken and slightly water-soaked. As downy mildew progresses, infected leaves will take on a scorched appearance. Leaf yellowing (chlorosis) is more common with powdery mildew, and infected leaves will be covered with a white, talc-like, superficial growth (from which powdery mildew takes its name) that tends to favor the upper leaf surface; however, it is not uncommon to find colonies of the powdery mildew fungus on lower leaf surfaces, stems, or vines if disease is severe. The powdery growth consists of mycelium and conidia (spores) of P. xanthii. One of the key features of downy mildew is the pattern of sporulation, which occurs only on the underside of an infected leaf and has a faint, fuzzy or "downy" appearance. It is generally easier to observe sporulation with downy mildew in the morning when there's plenty of leaf wetness. It's very easy to distinguish the downy and powdery mildew pathogens at the microscopic level; sporangia of downy mildew are formed on sporangiophores that have a distinctive branching pattern that gives them the appearance of "deer antlers". Conidia of powdery mildew are formed in chains on relatively simple structures. If downy mildew is suspected, send a sample in to the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab in Lexington or Princeton for examination.
We need to keep an eye on all late-season cucurbit crops and act as quickly as possible if downy mildew is found. The good news is that downy mildew can be controlled with preventive applications of several fungicides, many of which may already be in use as part of a regular disease management program. The following list was adapted from ID-36 (2006-07 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers):
BASF Corporation recently issued two 2ee recommendations for the use of InsigniaŽ fungicide for control of two turf diseases of interest in Kentucky. For the diseases described below, a 2ee use is where the product is recommended for managing a disease not listed on the label. It is important to note that, for a 2ee recommendation to be legal, the use pattern (rate, timing, restrictions) must be consistent with the label. The written 2ee recommendation must be in the possession of the user at the time of application.
Pythium root dysfunction of creeping bentgrass caused by Pythium volutum. This is a rather poorly understood disease that has been studied by Dr. Lane Tredway of North Carolina State University. We have not positively documented the disease yet in Kentucky but we are watching for it, as I suspect that cases may occur here. Root infections from P. volutum are thought to be responsible for symptoms on putting greens of irregular patches from three inches to several feet in diameter. These patches exhibit wilting, yellowing, and dying. Symptoms appear in late spring and in summer. The disease has been observed on new-generation creeping bentgrass varieties built within the past six years.
If this disease is known to be active, InsigniaŽ fungicide may be used curatively or preventatively. Details of the recommended usage include application at 0.9 oz/1000 sq ft in two sequential applications14 days apart in late spring. The application should be made in 2 gallons of spray volume and lightly irrigated in before drying. Other instructions and precautions are indicated on the written 2ee recommendation, which should be available from a BASF representative or the pesticide dealer. In Dr. Tredway's tests thus far, InsigniaŽ fungicide has been the most effective turf fungicide of those used alone.
Large patch of zoysia caused by Rhizoctonia solani. By far, this is the most important disease of zoysia in Kentucky, and fungicides are sometimes needed on golf courses to completely control the disease. See the Extension publication Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases, PPA-1 for fungicidal and cultural management recommendations (http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ppa/ppa1/ppa1.pdf). According to the recent 2ee recommendation, InsigniaŽ fungicide may be used to control large patch by applying twice at 0.9 oz/1000 sq ft at a 28-day interval (or three times at 0.5 oz at a 14-day interval) beginning in early fall. No matter what the rate, the recommendation calls for a 2-gallon spray volume. See the written recommendation and the label for other restrictions.
Millipedes are long, multi-segmented creatures that use their two pairs of legs per body segment to move with deliberate determination towards some specific destination known only to them. There are several species of millipedes in Kentucky so we can see a variety of shapes and colors. They can be very abundant in forest litter, grass, thatch, and in mulched areas. These places provide them with the food and dampness that they prefer. Usually, millipedes stay out of sight unless abundant rainfall or some other event, such as the mating season, puts them on the move.
Flat-sided millipedes are very active at this time of the summer and can be a temporary nuisance as an accidental invader. These millipedes have a small but distinct flat plate extending from the side of each segment instead of the round body of our more familiar species. While harmless and in fact, helpful recycles, visits from large numbers of millipedes generally are not welcomed with enthusiasm.
Millipedes often invade crawl spaces, damp basements and first floors of houses at ground level. Common points of entry include door thresholds (especially at the base of sliding glass doors), expansion joints, and through the voids of concrete block walls. Frequent sightings of these pests indoors usually mean that there are large numbers breeding on the outside in the lawn, or beneath mulch, leaf litter or debris close to the foundation. Because of their moisture requirement, they do not survive indoors more than a few days unless there are very moist or damp conditions.
Here are some tips for millipede management:
1) Minimize moisture & remove hiding places - The most effective, long-term measure for reducing entry of millipedes (and many other pests) is to minimize moisture and hiding places, especially near the foundation. Leaves, grass clippings, heavy accumulations of mulch, boards, stones, boxes, and similar items laying on the ground beside the foundation should be removed, since these often attract and harbor pests. Items that cannot be removed should be elevated off the ground.
2) Seal entry points - Seal cracks and openings in the outside foundation wall, and around the bottoms of doors and basement windows. Install tight-fitting door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry doors, and apply caulk along the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds. Seal expansion joints where outdoor patios, sunrooms and sidewalks abut the foundation. Expansion joints and gaps should also be scaled along the bottom of basement walls on the interior to reduce entry of pests and moisture from outdoors.
3) Insecticides - Exterior applications, in the form of barrier sprays, may help to reduce inward invasion when applied outdoors, along the bottom of exterior doors, around crawl space entrances, foundation vents and utility openings, and up underneath siding. It also may be useful to treat along the ground beside the foundation in mulch and ornamental plant beds, and a few feet up the base of the foundation wall. Heavy accumulations of mulch and leaf litter should first be raked back to expose pest hiding areas. Insecticide treatment may also be warranted along the interior foundation walls of damp crawl spaces and unfinished basements.
Wasp stings are a serious health threat to humans and animals. Many people in the United States die each year from allergic reactions to the venom of these insects. Paper wasps, hornets and yellowjackets are more dangerous and unpredictable than honeybees. Workers foraging away from the nest are seldom aggressive, but nests should be eliminated with great care and in a specific manner. "Folk" remedies such as dousing nests with gasoline or a garden hose seldom work and can result in multiple stings.
Paper Wasps -- Paper wasps (as well as hornets and yellowjackets) construct nests of a paper-like material containing finely chewed wood fragments and salivary secretions. Paper wasps typically build their umbrella-shaped nests in protected locations, such as under eaves, gutters and ledges or in attics and outbuildings. Nests also may be located behind shutters, or inside exterior light fixtures, gas grills and mailboxes. Most paper wasps are brownish or rust-colored, although one increasingly common variety, the European paper wasp, has yellow and black markings much like a yellowjacket. Paper wasps have a "waist" that is very thin, however, which distinguishes them from hornets and yellowjackets.
Paper wasps are not very aggressive, but stings can occur when householders inadvertently disturb nests that are hidden. If the nest is accessible, it can be eliminated rather easily with a wasp and hornet spray sold at most retail stores. One advantage of these formulations is that they can be sprayed as far as 20 feet. Although it's best to treat all wasp nests at night, paper wasps can be eliminated during the daytime provided you do not stand directly below the nest during treatment. Most wasp aerosol sprays cause insects to drop instantly. Standing directly under a nest increases the risk of being stung. After treatment, wait a day to ensure that the colony is destroyed; then scrape or knock down the nest.
Hornets -- Hornets are far more difficult and dangerous to control than paper wasps. The nests resemble a large, gray, bloated football, which typically is attached to a tree, bush or side of a building. Oftentimes the nest is concealed among branches, especially in densely canopied trees such as Bradford pear. Hornet nests may contain thousands of wasps that are extremely aggressive when disturbed. The nests often are located out of reach and elimination is best accomplished by a professional pest control firm.
Treat hornet nests at night when most insects are within the nest and less active (follow night treatment precautions discussed below for yellowjackets). A full wasp suit, sealed at the wrists, ankles and collar, is recommended. Apply an aerosol-type wasp and hornet spray or dust formulation (e.g., Sevin, Drione, DeltaDust) directly into the nest opening. Hornet nests generally have a single opening, usually toward the bottom, where the wasps enter and exit. It is crucial that the paper envelope of the nest not be broken during treatment or the irritated wasps will scatter in all directions, causing even greater problems. Following treatment, wait at least 2-3 days before removing the nest to ensure that all of the wasps are killed. If hornets continue to be seen, the application may need to be repeated.
If the nest is located away from frequently used areas, another option is to wait and do nothing. In Kentucky, wasp, hornet, yellowjacket, and bumblebee colonies die off naturally after the weather turns cold, and the paper carton disintegrates over the winter months.
Yellowjackets -- Yellowjackets are probably the most dangerous stinging insects in the United States. They tend to be unpredictable and usually sting if the nest is disturbed. Yellowjacket nests are often located underground in old animal burrows (e.g., chipmunks), or beneath rocks or landscape timbers. They also build nests in walls, attics, crawlspaces, and behind exterior siding of buildings.
If the nest can be located, it often can be eliminated by applying an aerosol-type wasp and hornet spray into the opening. Insecticide dust formulations containing Sevin (sold in lawn and garden shops), DeltaDust, or Drione, are especially effective but require a hand duster to dispense several puffs of the dust into the nest opening. In lieu of a commercial duster, a workable alternative is to use a dry, empty liquid detergent bottle filled with an inch or so of dust. A few pebbles or marbles added to the bottom prevents the dust from caking, and the bottle should be shaken before dispensing. (Remember to dispose of the bottle after use, or store it away from children and pets). Dusts tend to be more effective than aerosols when the nest itself is located some distance from the entrance hole - as often occurs when yellowjackets construct nests behind exterior siding or deep within abandoned animal burrows. Insecticide dust blown into the opening penetrates farther than sprays, and the workers transport it throughout the nest.
Ideally, treatment should be performed at night, when most of the yellowjackets are in the nest and less active. Pinpoint the nest opening during the daytime, so you will remember where to direct your treatment after dark. Approach the nest slowly and do not shine the beam of your flashlight directly into the nest entrance as this may startle the wasps and cause them to fly toward the light. Instead, cast the beam to the side to illuminate the nest indirectly. If possible, place the light on the ground rather than in your hand.
When contemplating extermination of a yellowjacket or hornet nest, clients should be informed that they are entering a DANGER ZONE - there is no pest control scenario more frightening than a 'blown' wasp or hornet treatment. It is often prudent to refer homeowners to a professional, especially when access to the nest requires a ladder or is difficult.
Wasp, hornet and yellowjacket stings can be life threatening to persons who are allergic to the venom. People who develop hives, dizziness, breathing or swallowing difficulty, wheezing, or similar symptoms of allergic reaction should seek medical attention immediately. Itching, pain, and localized swelling can be reduced with antihistamines and an ice pack.
Feed through insecticides are one of the alternatives for pasture fly management for beef cattle. Horn flies and face flies breed in cattle droppings in pastures. This is a weak link in their life cycle because the maggots are concentrated in the manure before they emerge as adults and attack animals. However, manure piles are scattered over pastures; elimination of them or treatment of individual piles is impractical.
Manure can be made toxic by having animals consume a larvicide which passes out in the manure. Mineral blocks or loose supplements are available which contain either the organophosphate insecticide Rabon (stirofos) or an insect growth regulator (methoprene). Rabon works upon the nervous system of an insect, killing it quickly. An insect growth regulator interferes with the development of the insect, specifically the molting process. Maggots generally survive but fail to become normal adults. The action of the maggots still contributes to the physical breakdown of the manure.
Feed-thrus are only a part of a total pasture fly control program because horn flies and face flies will move in from nearby herds. Supplemental control though the use of dust bags or backrubbers is needed to deal with these "fly-ins".
For more information livestock pests, visit "Insect Management Recommendations".
Agronomic samples received in the PDDL this past week included potassium deficiency, maize chlorotic dwarf and maize dwarf mosaic viruses (complex) on corn; Rhizoctonia root/crown rot, potassium deficiency and Phytophthora root rot on soybean; Lepto leaf spot on alfalfa; black shank, blue mold, tomato spotted wilt virus, Fusarium wilt, brown spot, manganese toxicity, frogeye leaf spot, lightning injury and weather fleck (ozone injury) on tobacco.
On fruit and vegetable samples, we diagnosed black rot and Pestalotia leaf blight on grape; Sphaerulina leaf spot on raspberry; Mycosphaerella leaf spot on strawberry; double blossom on blackberry; cedar-apple rust on apple; brown rot on peach; Cercospora leaf spot on cherry; Alternaria leaf blight on cantaloupe; bacterial canker, early blight, Septoria leaf spot, and tomato spotted wilt virus on tomato.
Ornamental and turf samples included Pythium and Rhizcotonia root rots on petunia; black root rot on scaevola; Cladosporium leaf blotch and Alternaria leaf spot on peony; Phyllosticta leaf spot on hollyhock; leaf streak on daylily; black spot and powdery mildew on rose; Phomopsis twig blight on juniper; powdery mildew on euonymus; cedar-quince rust on hawthorn; Septoria leaf spot and spot anthracnose on dogwood; take-all patch on bentgrass; Pythium root rot and anthracnose on bluegrass.
UKREC-Princeton, KY, July 7-14, 2006| True Armyworm
| 301
| Corn Earworm
| 3
| European Corn Borer
| 0
| Black cutworm
| 2
| Fall Armyworm
|
| | |
View Princeton trap counts for the entire 2006 season at - http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPMPrinceton/Counts/2006trapsfp.htm
Fulton County trap counts are available at -http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fulton/anr/Insect%20Counts.htm
For information on trap counts in southern Illinois visit the Hines Report at - http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/pubs/hines_report/comments.html The Hines Report is posted weekly by Ron Hines, Senior Research Specialist, at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center.
NOTE: Trade names are used to simplify the information presented in this newsletter. No endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not named.
Lee Townsend
Extension Entomologist