• Most trap counts are within normal range for late July, but remember, traps detect adult insects and damage is done by immature larvae.
  • This means that now is a good time for field scouting. Specifically, look for diamondback moth larvae on the underside of brassica leaves.
  • We have noted signs of 12-spot beetle feeding on developing snap bean pods. Sweep net sampling is recommended, with an estimated action threshold of 2 adults/sweep.
  • Various armyworm species continue to be very abundant (true armyworm, glassy cutworm, etc.). Although these are not vegetable-specific pests, the high numbers of adults at many locations is worth mentioning.
  • The table below shows trap counts from vegetable fields and a research farm within the Willamette Valley, OR. through July 15th.
  • A map of the field sites describes location codes.
  • Most pests continue to be detected dramatically less than they usually are for this time of year. Since May, there have been almost no black cutworm, cabbage looper, corn earworm, or diamondback moths in the traps.
  • Diabrotica undecimpunctata (also known as spotted cucumber beetle) activity is increasing. However, it is still within normal levels of 2-5 per day at monitored sites.
  • Additionally, we are partnering with a national project to monitor Diabrotica virgifera beetle, the western corn rootworm. More information about that effort can be found on the Oregon IPM Center’s website.
  • Overall, a very slow start! Below normal looper levels and almost no black cutworms detected since May.
  • True armyworm counts are increasing, both at Hyslop and throughout the valley (monitored near cereal, grass, and forage fields).
  • The hatch of winter cutworm at Hyslop is alarming, but aligned with what we know so far about their lifecycle. Females require about 4 weeks to mature eggs, which means larvae could be present by early to mid-August.
  • Given the recent heat wave, flea beetles will likely be present on brassicas. Scout vigilantly and often.

View the DATA TABLE below:

  • There has been an abundance of Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) moths near fresh market corn in Linn County, which affects the average, but all other sites remain low to normal. Timing is closely associated with crop development (moths appear at silk and lay eggs), so we keep a close eye on CEW for the coming weeks. Also, we are in the process of reviewing long term activity data that may help to improve degree-day models for this region.
  • The Oregon IPM Center is collaborating on a survey for Western Corn Rootworm. The research effort is led by Iowa State University, and includes Extension educators, field crop specialists, and ag industry representatives in 13 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces. More info available here.
  • Black Cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) counts remain lower than historically normal levels. Although sweet corn plantings are likely past the sensitive stage, remember that black cutworm also feeds on tomatoes and other garden crops.
This smaller table shows the average of all sites (2023AVE) for the specified time period and how it compares to our long-term average (LTAVE) from data collected in this region between 1996 and 2012. Corn earworm is higher due only to an outbreak at fresh market corn field near Albany (ALBN.1 on main table).
  • All ‘usual suspect’ crop pest moths (loopers, cutworms, corn earworm) are within normal activity levels.
  • Diabrotica undecimpunctata (12-spot / cucumber beetles) have 2 generations per year. They may be feeding underground now as rootworms, and expect to see more adult beetles in the landscape in the coming weeks. Rootworms feed underground, and adults chew on foliage of a wide variety of crops and weeds.
  • Heat brings on flea beetles. Keep an eye on any newly planted fields, beetles tend to move in from the margins.
  • See data table below…