First Bollworms Showing up in Mississippi Soybeans Updated

🕔15:19, 8.Jul 2011

This week we are starting to get some calls of the first soybean fields reaching threshold for bollworms.  Bollworms (Corn Earworms) can be extremely devastating to soybeans because they feed directly on all fruiting structures.  Many folks are also reporting

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Watch for Fall Armyworms in Late Planted Soybeans Updated

🕔14:43, 8.Jul 2011

Over the last 10 days I have started getting calls about fall armyworms showing up in late planted soybeans.  We see some of this every year, and it is primarily related to larvae moving off of a grass host after

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Insect Trap Counts, July 7, 2011 Updated

🕔09:33, 8.Jul 2011

Insect pheromone trap counts for the last week were steady to slightly lower for all species as a whole. Bollworm catches remained fairly high in some delta counties. Typically this week would have been the peak catch for second generation southwestern corn

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Insect Trap Counts, June 30, 2011 Updated

🕔14:48, 1.Jul 2011

Overall not much change in insect trap counts from last week. Bollworm counts were somewhat higher in the Delta and Central MS regions, tobacco budworm counts were lower in all regions, especially in the Delta were no budworms were caught this week.

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Rainfastness of Insecticides Updated

🕔12:46, 29.Jun 2011

Every year when afternoon thunderstorms start popping up, the phone starts ringing about rainfastness.  Rainfastness simply means the amount of time needed after application before a rainfall event for the product to still be effective.  One thing I have figured

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Insect Trap Counts, June 23, 2011 Updated

🕔11:28, 24.Jun 2011

Pheromone trap counts for bollworm, tobacco budwrom and beet armyworm were all similar to last week in all regions. Counts of tobacco budworm and beet armyworm are high compared to historical data, especially in the central part of the state.

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Insect Trap Counts, June 16, 2011 Updated

🕔16:35, 17.Jun 2011

Pheromone catches of bollworm (corn earworm) came down slightly this week while tobacco budworm and beet armyworm catches are increasing, especially in Central MS. Southwestern corn borer traps indicate that the sewcond generation has begun. Most traps are still fairly

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Spider Mite Update and Recommendations Updated

🕔08:28, 17.Jun 2011

Spider mites have been becoming more widespread over the last two weeks. Currently we have quite a few acres that have required treatment for spider mites and several that have already received 2 applications. The hot dry weather we have been dealing with for the last couple weeks is making the problem worse, and the numerous thrips applications this year has further led to the increased problems with spider mites by removing beneficial insects early.

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Rice Water Weevil and Rice Stink Bug Update Updated

🕔07:00, 17.Jun 2011

Rice water weevil densities appear to be very high at some locations in Mississippi this year. I looked at two fields over the last week where adult feeding was actually affecting plants. Adult numbers were running as high as 4-5 weevils per plant.

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Tarnished Plant Bugs Starting Off Big in 2011 Updated

🕔07:48, 16.Jun 2011

This is certainly starting off like a “big” plant bug year. Most everyone is reporting threshold to 3 and 4 X thresholds of adult plant bugs moving into cotton that is squaring. Most people are also reporting unusually high numbers of plant bugs in group IV flowering soybeans compared to most years and I had one report the other day of a corn field 4-8 nymph plant bugs per ear on purple silk corn.

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Insect Trap Counts, June 9, 2011 Updated

🕔11:44, 10.Jun 2011

Pheromone trap counts for the week ending on 6-9-2011 show higher tobacco budworm and beet armyworm counts from the previous week. Corn earworm counts were similar to last week. All three of these insects are at levels where treatable larval populations

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After the Flood: Row Crop Replanting Updated

🕔01:49, 10.Jun 2011

MSU Extension Service and MAFES researchers have compiled the following suggestions and information regarding replanting and managing row crops after the flood. Also included is post-flood crop insurance information.

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Proper Use of A Sweep Net Updated

🕔07:19, 7.Jun 2011

Variability between people using sweep nets can be huge.  Assume four people go to the field and take 100 sweeps each.  I would almost guarantee you that each will come back with 4 different counts even if the insects are perfectly uniform. 

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Monitoring Square Retention Critical for Migrating Plant Bugs Updated

🕔06:01, 7.Jun 2011

Square retention is a critical component of early season plant bug management. I would strongly encourage you to take square retention counts along with your sweep net counts prior to bloom. Not only does this help in the decision making process of treating plant bugs, but it also helps you to get a better idea of how the products you are applying are working.

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Insect Trap Counts, June 2, 2011 Updated

🕔16:04, 3.Jun 2011

Corn earworm (bollworm) pheromone trap counts were higher this week, so larvae should be expected in vulnerable crops shortly. Tobacco budworm counts were also higher except in the Delta where none were caught this week. Southwestern corn borer counts are

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Scout for Stink Bugs in Corn During Ear Shoot Development Updated

🕔11:54, 2.Jun 2011

While we have quite a few corn fields beginning to tassel, many more are have a little ways to go.  There is a period of about 10-14 days when ears shoots become visible or begin to bulge on the side

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Threecornered Alfalfa Hoppers Heavy in Some MS Cotton and Soybean Fields Updated

🕔11:23, 2.Jun 2011

Based on calls I have received over the last week and what I am seeing in my own research plots, this is shaping up to be a big year for threecornered alfalfa hoppers

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Southwestern Corn Borer, Bollworm, Budworm and Beet Armyworm Trap Catch, 5-26-11 Updated

🕔17:14, 26.May 2011

Weekly pheromone trap captures from Northeast, Central and Delta regions of Mississippi are reported. Catches indicate moderate bollworm pressure with very few tobacco budworms and beet armyworms caught during the week of May 19-26. Southwestern corn borer pressure is generally light

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Insect Scout School Dates Set Updated

🕔15:49, 26.May 2011

This year there will be three insect scout schools provided.  Each insect scout school will cover insect pests of cotton, soybeans, and corn.  Scout schools are free of charge and open to everyone.  Detailed descriptions of pest biology, sampling, and

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Thrips Species Present in Mississippi Cotton Updated

🕔14:34, 26.May 2011

By now everyone is fully aware that we have been and still are experiencing extremely high levels of thrips in cotton. To date, many fields have been treated with foliar insecticides and several have required repeat applications due to extremely high numbers and frequent re-infestations.

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Bollworm, Budworm and Beet Armyworm Trap Catch, 5-19-11 Updated

🕔15:50, 20.May 2011

Weekly pheromone trap captures from Northeast, Central and Delta regions of Mississippi are reported. Light to moderate bollworm pressure with very few tobacco budworms and beet armyworms caught during the week of May 12 to 18.

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Extremely High Thrips Numbers in Mississippi Cotton Updated

🕔08:11, 20.May 2011

In the last 7 days there have been numerous reports of extremely high thrips numbers infesting cotton fields across the state. Although nearly all cotton has an insecticide seed treatment on the seed, high numbers of adults are overwhelming the seed treatments in many cases.

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Rice Insect Update Updated

🕔09:14, 13.May 2011

The reason for this post is to give an update on insect pests that we may be seeing in the near and distant future. First, we had several wheat fields around the Delta that had some fall armyworms. In addition, we are seeing a fair number of fall armyworms in whorl stage corn. I wouldn’t say the numbers we are seeing are anything of great concern, but the numbers are higher than we normally see this time of year. This tells us that fall armyworms are in the environment and capable of moving into rice. As the wheat is drying down, make sure to keep a close eye on field edges, especially those fields adjacent to wheat.

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Armyworms Showing up in a Few Mississippi Wheat Fields Updated

🕔12:41, 3.May 2011

In the last 7 days there have been a few calls coming in about armyworms in wheat.  Numbers have ranged from 1–12 per square foot.  Mississippi has always used a threshold of 5-6 larvae per square foot through the milk

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Treating Stink Bugs in Small Corn Updated

🕔09:32, 3.May 2011

Over the last 10 days I have had several calls about stink bugs in small corn.  There have been some fields treated, however, at this time it has not been widespread.  Stink bugs damage small corn by feeding through the

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