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Extension Entomology

Category: Field Crops

Field crop pest and beneficial organisms.

Commercial Applicator Recertification Training Changes for 2020

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Frannie Miller

Each year in the fall, I plan trainings and look forward to seeing applicators from across the state as they attend these commercial recertification-training programs. This year will look a lot different in terms of training opportunities. Due to the ever presence of Covid, the Kansas State Pesticide Safety Program will be hosting virtual training opportunities through zoom. This will allow the applicator to obtain pest management credits from the safety of his or her home or office. I have heard from some applicators that feel they are technologically challenged, but don’t let that keep you from trying a new way of learning. The team is here to help you every step of the way!

The Kansas State Pesticide Safety Program is hosting training on the following dates:

  • October 20 – 21 (9:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) (1:20 p.m. -3:30 p.m.) Right-of-Way, Industrial Weed, and Noxious Weed Training (Category 6, 7C, & 9A)
  • November 2 (12:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.) and November 3 (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Stored Product Pests and Seed Treatment (Category 7B & 4)
  • November 4 (9:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) Ornamental, Turf and Interiorscape (Category 3A, 3B, & 3C)
  • November 9 (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Ag Plant (Category 1A)
  • November 10 (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Structural and Public Health (Category 7D, 7E & 8)
  • November 10 (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Core Hour
  • November 12 (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Wood Destroying and Wood Preservation (Category 7A & 7F)
  • November 12 (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Core Hour
  • November 13 (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Forest Pest, Ornamental, Turf and Interiorscape (Category 2, 3A, 3B & 3C)

Flyers containing the registration information can be found on the Pesticide Safety and IPM webpage at: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/pesticides-ipm/commercial-applicator.html. If you use Facebook, you may want to consider liking the Kansas State Pesticide Safety and IPM program page, which can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/KSRE-Pesticide-Safety-and-Integrated-Pest-Management-Program-109039044075447.

Other groups or associations may be hosting other training opportunities. A complete list can be found at: https://portal.kda.ks.gov/PAF/PafTraining/TrainingEventList.

If you don’t remember how many credits you have or need, you can look up your training status at: https://portal.kda.ks.gov/paf/pafapplicator/login/

If you have further questions, regarding how this training will be conducted contact Frannie Miller at (620)241-1523 or e-mail fmiller@ksu.edu.

Volunteer Wheat

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

 

Much wheat has been planted but much is still to be planted. Please remember that volunteer wheat (see fig 4) needs to be dead at least 3 weeks prior to planted wheat germinating. This really helps mitigate wheat pests that may be utilizing this volunteer wheat as a “green bridge”– just waiting to move from these plants to infest the germinating new plants.

Figure 4 Volunteer Wheat (Cayden Wyckoff)

 

Sorghum

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

 

Most sorghum throughout south and north central Kansas has developed past the stage that might be susceptible to infestations by sorghum headworms (susceptible stage is generally considered to be between flowering and soft dough). However, some late-planted fields may still be vulnerable to headworm infestations (see Fig 1) but fortunately, infestations remain very low.

 

Figure 1 Headworm (found 8 Oct 2020) (Cayden Wyckoff)

Sugarcane aphids are still migrating into the state, and probably will until we get much cooler temperatures and fewer south winds. Fortunately, beneficials (see fig 2 of pink spotted lady beetle) are still plentiful in most sorghum fields. All sugarcane aphids detected in the last 10 days on later planted sorghum had only small, scattered colonies of sugarcane aphids (see fig 3).

Figure 2 Pink spotted lady beetle (Cayden Wyckoff)

Figure 3 Sugarcane aphid colonies (Cayden Wyckoff)

 

Sugarcane Aphids

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Sugarcane aphids (fig. 4) are still migrating into sorghum fields throughout Kansas. However, most fields still have large populations of beneficials, thus, so far, sugarcane aphids are present but not in sufficient numbers to cause problems. However, monitoring should continue.

Figure 4 Sugar Cane Aphids (Jay Wisbey)

Three Cornered Alfalfa Hoppers

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

 

Three cornered alfalfa hoppers (TCAH) (see adult, fig 1.)

Figure 1 Three Cornered Alfalfa Hopper Adult  (Ed Beeson)

 

are causing concern in southeast Kansas soybean fields. TCAH’s have been reported from Kansas in prior years but not many and most often from alfalfa fields.  As the name implies, they will feed from the phloem in alfalfa/sweet clover/peanuts/etc. and usually do not reach population levels that would cause economic losses-more just a novelty in Kansas, so far. However, in parts of the south and southeastern U.S. they can reach densities that may require treatment, especially in soybeans. Both nymphs (see nymph fig 2)

 

 

Figure 2 Three Cornered Alfalfa Hopper Nymph (Ed Beeson)

 

and adults may suck the juice from the plant’s phloem in such a pattern as to cause the stem to actually break (see fig 3.) at the point of this feeding and thus the plant my lodge. However, in Kansas, this remains a rare occurrence but one that should continue to be monitored.

Figure 3 Soybean stem  (Ed Beeson)

 

Soldier Beetles

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Have had several inquiries regarding soldier beetles (please see fig 3 provided by Kaysie Morris). These beetles are quite common throughout Kansas and most commonly noticed in late summer as the adults are highly mobile, relatively large, and are very active searching for and feeding on pollen. Thus, they can be very common on any crop, or weed, that is pollinating, especially sunflowers, sorghum, and cucurbits such as cantaloupes and watermelons. Soldier beetles are often mistaken for blister beetles because of their size and shape but are not in the same taxonomic family and thus, produce no cantharidin, the chemical that causes external blisters in humans and other problems in livestock when ingested. However, soldier beetles are harmless.

Figure 3 soldier beetle

 

Green Cloverworms

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Green cloverworms are still feeding on soybean leaves, and therefore still causing some concern, especially in double-cropped soybeans (some fields were being treated with insecticides on 2 Sep). As stated previously, green cloverworms can be very voracious leaf feeders. However, rarely, if ever, do they cause enough damage especially at this time of year (and plant developmental stage) to justify an insecticide application. Plus the soybean canopy usually harbors many different types of beneficials and they will be negatively affected by an insecticide application. Green cloverworms also seem to be very vulnerable to natural controls (please see figs 1 & 2, of fungus-infected green cloverworm larvae, provided by Mr. Tom Maxwell), which often effect great control on green cloverworm populations.

Figure 1 Fungal-infected green clover worms most commonly turn white as seen in this photo.

 

Figure 2 Fungal-infected green cloverworm after leaf feeding

 

SUGARCANE APHIDS

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Sugarcane aphids also are present in most fields throughout southcentral and northcentral Kansas, but mostly only in small, scattered colonies (fig. 4). Beneficials are also very common, but it doesn’t seem like there are as many as there have been in the last couple of weeks. This could be because there are substantially fewer corn leaf aphids, in most fields, for beneficials to feed on. Sugarcane aphid monitoring should continue.

Figure 4  Sugarcane aphids on the back of a leaf (Picture by Amy Meysenberg)

SORGHUM HEADWORMS

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Sorghum headworm populations have not been as substantial, yet this year, compared to the last few years throughout southcentral and northcentral Kansas. There are still a few larvae  (fig. 3), and many fields have not yet developed past the susceptible stage, however, and thus there could still be problems with “headworms”. Please remember the “susceptible” timeframe or stage of sorghum is flowering to soft dough. Headworms can cause 5% loss/worm/head.

Figure 3 Sorghum headworm larvae  (Picture by Amy Meysenberg

 

SOYBEAN PESTS

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Green cloverworms (fig. 1) are still very common throughout soybean fields in northcentral and southcentral Kansas. Green cloverworms are voracious leaf feeders and can cause considerable defoliation (mostly if/when feeding on smaller plants) and this defoliation is often readily apparent and easily observed and thus can cause some concern. All fields monitored, even double cropped fields, did have green cloverworm populations. However, all fields seem to have great plant stands with substantial canopies. Nevertheless, these larvae still seem to be causing some concern around the area; however, no fields were even close to a treatment threshold.

Figure 1 Green cloverworms  (Picture by Amy Meysenberg)

In addition, some fungal-infected green cloverworms were also observed. Figure 2 illustrates the type of defoliation which may be caused by green cloverworms (leaves on the right in the picture) vs. leaf feeding damage caused by adult bean leaf beetles (on the left side of picture).

Figure 2 Defoliation damage to soybeans  (Pictures by Amy Meysenberg)

 

No corn earworms/soybean podworms, or signs of pod feeding were noted–none, yet!