June 13, 2012
Cutworms can leave canola fields with bare patches, clipped plants and large chunks out of stems and leaves. Flocks of birds — crows, gulls, etc. — can be a sign that cutworms are present in large numbers, but nothing beats digging to confirm your suspicions. Cutworm thresholds are based on stand reduction, not actual cutworm counts. The threshold for canola…
June 6, 2012
Diamondback moth and flea beetle damage can look similar in some cases. So can wireworm and cutworm underground feeding. Look for the damage and the insects before making a final spray decision…
May 24, 2012
Some cutworm species are already quite active — dingy, for example — and can consume canola plants before they even emerge or shortly thereafter. Dingy cutworms will also eat wheat, barley and peas, so scout all crops. Scout bare or clipped patches, digging around in the border areas between missing plants and healthy plants. That’s where the cutworms will be…
May 16, 2012
The Canola Council of Canada is looking for growers and agronomists willing to collect cutworms for research. Cutworms are an increasing threat to canola and other crops, and growers will benefit from knowing more about this native pest…
May 9, 2012
If flea beetles are already out and on volunteers given the conditions we’ve had, as soon as it gets warm, they will be feeding more aggressively…
April 25, 2012
Striped flea beetles seem to be more common each year, especially in the northern canola growing regions. Research suggests that a population of striped flea beetles may do more feeding on seed-treated canola prior to control than a similar population of the crucifer type, so look closely when scouting…
May 26, 2011
Canola growers should scout emerged canola crops for bare patches, holes or notches in foliage, and clipped plants — telltale signs of cutworm feeding. At least four cutworm specifies damage canola: dingy, redbacked, pale western and army. Here is information on identification, scouting, acceptable damage thresholds, and control…
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