Thank you for the opportunity to share in learning with you today! Here are a few resources I mentioned in my talk, feel free to add a comment and keep the discussion going!
Continue readingA Slow Start!
Unseasonably cool and wet conditions have delayed the start of VegNet this year. Because insects are poikilotherms, their development is directly related to temperature. Some insects are also reliant on adequate moisture. The percentage of armyworm eggs that hatch, for example. We certainly have had ‘adequate’ moisture this spring (!), which could mean more armyworm pressure into the summer and fall.
Both May and June were abnormally cool and wet in Western Oregon.
Peridroma saucia is common in Oregon. But for the past three years, we are detecting them at much higher-than-normal levels in early spring.
The graph below shows pheromone trap counts (# of adult moths per day) in recent years vs. a long term average. Please note that all data points before May 10th are NOT regional averages. They represent only the Corvallis location. These 5 single-location data points are filled with a dot pattern (hard to see, sorry). However, in 2020, the true regional average (peach diamonds) remained higher than normal until June 1st.
Continue readingHappy Nat’l Ag Day!
Did you know? Last year, the value of utilized production in Oregon was $22.5mil for sweet corn and $20.2mil for snap beans! And together, ID/WA/OR account for 50% of the national utilized production of onions. Check out the new publication re: Economic Pests of Onion – available here.
Winter Cutworm in Winter Veg
If you think it’s unusual to post about cutworms in February, you’re right. But there is one in particular that you should know about: Noctua pronuba, the winter cutworm. Here are a few photos of larvae feeding on cabbage in a home garden, Jan 2022 (credit: J.Myers).
If you know my boss…
You might know that he has contributed over 30 years of expertise to the vegetable industry!! In his honor, our local commission has set up a Go Fund Me page to help with travel funds. Details below but SHHH – it’s a surprise 🙂
Continue readingAlternatives to Chlorpyrifos – 2nd survey
NEW!
Do you grow Asparagus, Beans, Chickpeas, or any other minor/specialty crop of the alphabet? If so.. it’s YOUR TURN to provide input about the recent regulation of chlorpyrifos and how it will affect your production. Sorry, no gift card for this one, but YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!
This survey is VERY SHORT (5 questions total!) and responses remain anonymous. Please consider filling out the survey, regardless of your perceived impact – we need to hear from everyone!
Thank you – Dani Lightle and Jessica Green
Please use the link below to CONTRIBUTE FOR: minor crops
Pea Weevil/Aphid info
A new study from WSU indicates that peas respond to herbivore damage differently depending on if they are attacked by pea weevil or pea aphid first. Transmission of the pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) is also affected. These biologically relevant interactions have implications for management. A very interesting study, well done, Cougs! https://news.wsu.edu/2021/08/10/pest-attack-order-changes-plant-defenses/
Scouting and Control of Diamondback Moth
Natural enemies
The natural enemy of my enemy is my friend! We start seeing increased activity of beneficial insects this time of year. Everyone can identify a ladybug, a select few know what a lacewing looks like, but did you know that certain flies, beetles, and even yellowjackets also help to regulate pest populations?
CLICK TO VIEW a newly revised OSU Extension publication about natural enemies
READ RELATED POSTS here on the blog
and GO OUT and look on crops, wildflowers, and weeds (especially wild carrot right now) to see these “good guys” in action!