–by Jeff Whitworth and Holly Davis
This week’s cool, wet weather has kept many growers and applicators out of alfalfa fields. The cooler weather has slowed down alfalfa weevil activity – but not by much. Remember, they feed 24/7 as long as the ambient temperature, where they are feeding, is over 48°F. Thus, field monitoring needs to continue until most larvae have pupated or fields are swathed, as weather allows.
If insecticide applications are chosen please remember to consult the label for the pre-harvest interval (PHI) of the insecticide selected. For more information relative to alfalfa weevil management, please refer to the KSU Alfalfa Insect Management Guide: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF809.pdf