In this issue:
Insect Pest Overview
Sweet Corn Insecticide Trial Results
New MDA Publications Available
| Vol 4 No. 8 | October 11, 2002 |
Insect Pest Overview: 2002 Season
Bill Hutchison, Eric Burkness, Robert Koch, Patrick O’Rourke, Suzanne Wold, Dept. of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
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Each year brings new surprises, including new insect pest species or vectors of plant, animal and human disease. Not all of these challenges directly apply to vegetable crops, but with the increasing onslaught of insect pests in the Midwest, we have decided to review a few with this summary issue for 2002. Over the past 5 years, a new insect pest or pest problem has hit Minnesota each year. Although this is quite interesting for entomologists (and great for job security), it is not always easy for growers and the public. During the past 5 years, we have seen the arrival and/or increasing activity of the following insect related problems: |
 Male (L) and female (R) mosquitoes |
a) Multi-colored Asian Ladybeetle, a great beneficial aphid predator in many crops, but also a growing nuisance to home owners (1995-2002); b) arrival and demise of the Alfalfa blotch leafminer (1997-2001); c) 1999- confirmation of the first Western bean cutworm infestation in sweet and field corn, SW Minn.; flights continued to be documented in 2002; d) 2000- arrival of the Soybean aphid; although primarily a pest of soybean, even minimal feeding on snap (green) beans allows the aphid to vector devastating viruses to snap bean pods. For more information on soybean aphid, see the following site: http://www.soybeans.umn.edu/crop/insects/aphid/aphid.htm e) 2001-2002- increasing incidence of Bean leaf beetle on snap beans due to mild winters; f) 2002- arrival of West Nile Virus, via birds (carriers) and multiple species of mosquito vectors. For more information re: WNV, see the following site for fact sheets: http://www3.extension.umn.edu/projects/mpiap/pestalert.htm |
This is just a short list of recent changes to the entomological landscape of Minnesota during the past 5 years. This trend is likely to continue, and reflects a growing national trend of international trade and travel. What will 2003 bring? Soybean aphid and WNV are likely to stay; look for increasing activity of another recent arrival, Gypsy moth, and possibly another pest found in Michigan this year (Dr. DiFonzo, Michigan State University), the Cereal stem moth, a pest of winter wheat!
This review overview reminds us that subscribing to a pest newsletter (also via the web) is a great way to stay abreast of new insect invasions. We hope that this newsletter, with timely pest and IPM updates will lead to improved profits for your farming operation. As always do not hesitate to let us know of new issues or improvements you would like to see for the newsletter.
Back to Veggies: With Figs. 1-2, we provide the full season summary for European corn borer (ECB) and Corn Earworm (CEW) moth flight data for several southern Minnesota locations. As in previous “warm” years (2002 was one of the hottest summers in MN), we saw continued activity by ECB and CEW into mid-September, particularly for Blue Earth and Owatonna, respectively. The late-season (likely 3rd ECB flight; bivoltine strain) is usually “suicidal” in that few if any young larvae that are produced from the 3rd flight will have time to fully develop (reach the 4th or 5th instar), feed, build up fat reserves, and properly prepare for overwintering (diapause). Large late-season CEW flights have also been observed in recent years at Owatonna. CEW is not known to be able to overwinter in MN; larvae hatching from these flights will also face an early demise as freezing temperatures kick in.
Striped cucumber beetle and squash bug populations were again very high this year in pumpkins and squash, attacking seedlings early, and late-season fruit! If you have not already reviewed the fact sheets for these pests, see the VegEdge site at: http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/cucs/pumpscb.htm
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Throughout Minnesota, soybean aphid populations were lower compared to 2001, and relatively low levels of virus (e.g., cucumber mosaic) were detected in snap bean samples in our seed treatment studies (preliminary data). However, bean leaf beetle infestations were again “off the charts”, particularly early in the season. Untreated snap beans for two May planting dates at Rosemount were 90-100% defoliated by adults, emerging from nearby overwintering sites (e.g., field edges, leaf litter, old soybean fields). We are happy to report that we have a new graduate student, Kathleen Bennett, who will begin working on BLB in Snap Beans, beginning next year! Last Issue for 2002: Although this is the last issue for 2002, we will continue to provide IPM Updates to the VegEdge website throughout the “off-season”. You might want to check the Fact Sheet site for VegEdge, at: http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/intro/pestfact.htm |
New VegEdge Coming: This winter, look for a new section on “Research Updates” and a completely new re-design of the VegEdge site! To stay current with Pesticide label changes, new Crop Profiles for MN, and other IPM News, check out our North Central Region, IPM Center site for MN at: http://www3.extension.umn.edu/projects/mpiap/
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Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology,
University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture,
jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Cindy Tong, Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota,
ctong@extension.umn.edu
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Research Assistant, University of
Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu
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Last Revised October 11, 2002.
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