–by Raymond Cloyd
Q: What do bees brush their hair with?
A: A honey comb
Q: How does a young bee (larva) get to school?
A: On a school BUZZ
Month: September 2019
Wheat
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Some reports are being received mainly from south eastern/south central Kansas relative to “worms” feeding on early-planted wheat. First, it is usually better to plant wheat as late as possible to help avoid all wheat pests, whether pathogens or insects. The “worms” reported so far, have been either armyworms or fall armyworms, both of which will do about the same type of damage. They feed on leaf tissue and consume more, as they get larger, thus it is best to monitor wheat fields early to detect any larvae while they are still small. They usually do not reduce wheat stands, just remove the leaf tissue, but under stressful growing conditions plant stands may be impacted. Under good growing conditions, plants should be only temporarily affected. However, if there are 8-10 worms per sq. ft. and the worms are small, i.e., less than ½”, treatment may be justified. Remember also, if the leaf feeding continues into the winter it might be caused by army cutworms, which will feed all winter anytime temperatures are over 45 F, and into the spring. However, armyworms and fall armyworms will only feed until the 1st hard freeze, but not through the winter.
Sorghum
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Most sorghum throughout north central Kansas is past the soft dough stage, thus not susceptible to “headworms.” However, a few late-planted fields, just coming into the “boot” stage, have sporadic small colonies of sugarcane aphids (SCA) (see pic of SCA’s from Saline and Dickenson counties (pic3)). However, there seems to be significant numbers of beneficials, but these late developing fields should still be monitored as these populations can “explode” quite quickly.
(Pic 3) SCA Colony
Soybeans
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Most soybeans in north central Kansas, even double cropped fields, are getting to the stage where the pods are hardened enough to protect the beans inside (see picture of pod feeding scar by bean leaf beetles and an adult bean leaf beetle (pic1). Woollybear caterpillars (pic 2) are becoming more noticeable as the soybean leaves start to senesce, the caterpillars are getting larger and thus more visible, and as they move to the ground, looking for overwintering sites.
Scolia dubia: Parasitoid of the Green June Beetle
–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd
We continue to see large “wasps” (not cicada killer wasps) feeding on flowering plants such as goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and wild onion (Allium spp.). This is Scolia dubia, which is a parasitoid of green June beetle (Cotinis nitida) larvae or grubs located in the soil. Since there were so many green June beetle adults flying around this year, there is likely to be high populations of grubs/larvae for the parasitoids to attack.
The parasitoids are approximately 3/4-inches long with purple to black wings. The abdomen has red-brown markings with two conspicuous yellow spots on both sides of the third abdominal segment (Figure 1).
Fig 1. Scolia dubia adult feeding on flower (Auth–Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
The parasitoids can be observed flying in a figure-eight pattern several inches above turfgrass infested with green June beetle larvae. A female enters the burrow of a green June beetle larva, uses her ovipositor (egg-laying device) to paralyze the larva, and then she attaches an egg to the underside of the larva. The larva hatches from an egg and consumes the paralyzed green June beetle larva. The larva overwinters in a cocoon at the bottom of the burrow and then pupates in the spring. Adult parasitoids typically emerge from August through September, and feed on flower nectar. They are likely emerging and present later than usual due to the weather conditions we have experienced this year (lots of rain and cool temperatures). Scolia dubia adults, unlike cicada killer males, are not aggressive and females will only sting when handled.
Bug Jokes of the Week
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Q: Why was the baby ant confused?
A: Because all his uncles were ants.
Q: Why did the lice fall off the toilet seat?
A: Because they all got pissed off.
Entomology Quiz: answer to last week’s picture
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Broad wing Katydid Eggs.
Thank you Kiffnie Holt for the answer!
Sorghum Update—headworms, corn earworms, fall armyworms
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Much sorghum has been treated throughout north central Kansas for headworms (corn earworms and/or fall army worms) and most treatments seem to have been very effective. Again, Sorghum is most vulnerable to headworms from flowering to soft dough, so past the soft dough stage headworm treatment will not be necessary. The headworm shown (see pic1) has approximately 7-10 more days of feeding before pupating. Still no reports of sugarcane aphid problems – but monitoring should continue because in 2016 insecticide applications were still justified into late September.
Pic2: These two larvae were collected from a Heligen treated field. The dead (smaller) larva is obviously pathogen-affected. If Heligen is responsible for the death of this larva, then it looks like the application was well timed to kill the larva before it caused much damage.
Photo by Cooper Wyckoff)
Soybean Update—podworms, corn earworms, sorghum headworms
–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth
Most soybeans around north central Kansas are now well into the mid to late reproductive stages. There doesn’t seem to be much potential for any massive infestations by defoliators and even if there was, as the soybeans get farther along in their development the leaf tissue becomes less needed. However, the direct pests, those that feed on the marketable product, are still very active and some are even increasing. Bean leaf beetle adults are active, feeding on pods, however, there do not seem to be as many as in past years. Soybean podworms, i.e., corn earworms/sorghum headworms, are very common and seem to be increasing in numbers in some areas. Treatment thresholds are usually considered to be 1 larva/row foot, with small worms, i.e., less than ½ inch (see pic1) and they are feeding on the seeds (beans). These larvae feed for roughly 2 weeks before pupating. As the larvae develop larger than the one shown here (see pic 1) they consume more as they get bigger and this feeding will continue for about another 7-10 days at these temperatures
Switching Things Up – Entomology Quiz
–by Dr. Raymond Cloyd
Question: What Are The Seven Structures Attached To The Twig?
If You Think You Know What It Is, Please Send Your Answer (Or Best Guess) To Sharon Schroll At sschroll@ksu.edu
The Answer Will Be Provided In The Next Issue Of The Newsletter.