 | Field and Forage Crops |
 | Ornamentals and Turf |
 | Insect Trap Data |
From: Jack S. Bacheler, Extension Entomologist
July 27 morning light trap counts put the present bollworm moth flight as far northward as the Colerain area near the Chowan River in eastern Bertie County. The present flight is solid through Cumberland, Sampson, Duplin, Onslow and Jones counties and all counties to the south. Because the flight also picked up in Wayne and Martin counties, this probably implies that the flight is also present in the intermediate areas of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson and Martin counties though not specifically picked up yet by the light traps in these latter counties. These counts suggest that the bollworm moth flight will probably reach our northern tier of counties by the middle or end of next week. To keep track of the progress of this years moth flight, see our Cotton Insect Corner web page at http://ipm.ncsu.edu/cotton/insectcorner/blacklight/index.htm.
On conventional cotton, the bollworm egg threshold has been met in some cotton fields all the way up to about southern Edgecombe County. Conventional cotton should be checked for bollworm eggs to see if the 10 percent terminal or the 2 percent fruit threshold for eggs has been met. Thus far, most egg thresholds have been met on the basis of finding egg on fruit or dried bloom tags. Don’t overlook the possibility of tobacco budworms showing up on conventional cotton prior to the arrival of the bollworm moth flight in your area. If budworms are present, they are best controlled with either Tracer or Steward insecticide. Because the bollworm/budworm egg kits are no longer available, it is virtually impossible to tell if bollworms or budworms predominate at the egg stage or first stage larvae. Light traps do not detect the presence of budworm moths, and pheromone traps, though good indicators of the presence of budworm moths, can be unreliable for moth pressure (i.e., numbers of moths). In North Carolina, odds favor bollworms as being far and away the more common species in most situations when the major moth flight is underway, and therefore pyrethroid insecticides usually are the materials of choice. However, budworms are typically more common prior to the bollworm moth flight. Additionally, budworm moths and their resulting larvae can sometimes extend into our major bollworm moth flight, resulting in control problems.
In Bollgard cotton, bollworm thresholds are most commonly met here a week to 10 days after the arrival of the bollworm moth flight. Remember to treat Bollgard, BG II or Widestrike cotton on the basis of finding 3 percent second stage bollworms, not the tiny first stage worms that have yet to feed on, or die from, the Bt toxin. Finally, be sure to open pink and dried flowers (bloom tags) as part of bollworm scouting. With our abundance of dry weather and cotton beginning to prematurely cut out in some areas, we presently have many blooms tags.
With many cotton fields approaching or into the third week of blooming, assessments for internal damage from stink bugs are particularly important. Remember to use the 10 percent internal boll damage threshold during weeks 3 through 6 of blooming. Thankfully, so far we are only rarely getting percent boll damage reports much over about the mid to high teens, with damage in most fields far lower. In most years, stink bug damage picks up as the bloom period progresses. It’s probably unwise to predict what sort of stink bug year we’ll end up with, but so far stink bug levels appear to lower than in recent years. Even if we end up with relatively overall light stink bug levels this year, some cotton fields are almost certain to sustain heavy damage. Conversely, it does not much economic sense to put out a blind preemptive insecticide application for bugs because it “seems right.” Each year we end up with some Bt cotton fields that do not require any protection from bug damage, while others may require a single to occasionally 2 or 3 applications. Cutting open or crushing quarter-sized bolls and examining them for internal warts or stained lint is strongly advised for the next 4 to 5 weeks. Quarter-sized bolls are much smaller than many scouts have been sampling, so be sure to get this size image calibrated with an actual quarter or with a flat object with a 15/16-inch diameter hole. Although certainly not always the case, stink bug and plant bug damage to bolls is often higher in areas that have received good moisture levels. So far, bug damage seems to somewhat higher in our more eastern counties.
With the generally dry weather patterns continuing throughout much of the state, I am still surprised that spider mites have not become more of a treatable problem during this past week. Cotton aphids continue to build up in scattered cotton fields throughout North Carolina, in some cases to very high levels. The aphid fungus has begun to show up (actually the secondary, saprophytic fungi are visible after the aphid has been killed by the primary pathogenic fungus), but so far this pathogen not providing significant help in reducing aphid numbers. Hopefully, the fungus will come to the rescue during the next week or so. However, some fields have high cotton aphid populations and are under drought stress with little evidence of the fungus or mummified aphids presently. In these cases, treatment appears to be justified. The presence of the closely related fungi that limit levels of spider mites and cotton aphids is much easier to identify initially with a hand lens. The University of Arkansas through Cotton Incorporated provides a free service to agents, producers and cotton specialists to identify the presence of the cotton aphid fungus. This service provides a quick turnaround (sometimes within 24 hours) of the fungus presence from aphid samples sent via FedEx, sometimes up to a week before the fungus manifests itself visually in the field. For details and procedures for ordering aphid sampling kits, check the following web site: http://www.uark.edu/misc/aphid/.
Remember that you can get weekly cotton insect updates either by calling 1-800-662-7301 and pressing ”4” for cotton (in North Carolina only), or by going to our Cotton Insect Corner web page (http://ipm.ncsu.edu/cotton/insectcorner/radio/index.html) and clicking on the most recent tape and/or script. These tapes are usually posted each Wednesday.
From: Stephen B. Bambara, Extension Entomologist
Wayne Batten, County Extension Director, Pender County, reported fall armyworm (image by C. Gorsuch; http://www.bugwood.org) problems in several coastal bermuda fields. The first indication of their presence was large bird activity in fields. The fall armyworms have reached the treatment threshold in Pender County. Growers are now spraying.
In northeastern North Carolina counties, fall armyworms are present, but not reported to be near treatment threshold levels. Growers should be scouting now (and often) so this pest does not surprise them.
In bermudagrass, Lannate works very quickly and is labeled for bermudagrass pasture, rye, sudangrass, wheat and alfalfa. Mustang Max can also be used. Sevin is labeled for bermudagrass in pasture (and other sites). Tracer (spinosad) is also labeled. Dimilin 2L is labeled and is for early instar larvae.
Again, growers should scout fields now. Treatment thresholds may vary depending upon crop and stage. Read restrictions on any of these products. Read labels and product choices for other crops.
An excellent publication from Alabama on fall armyworms in pasture and hay is available on the web at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1019/.
Esteem fire ant bait (figure; figure; images by Stephen B. Bambara) received its supplemental label for use in pastures more than a year ago. There have been some questions about availability and packaging. Growers and cattlemen may have to order it since suppliers may not want to stockpile baits. Baits do not have a long shelf life after the package is opened. Though the active ingredient may be stable, the carrier can spoil or lose attractiveness to ants, rendering it worthless. Valent has reportedly stated that Esteem should be used within two weeks once the package is opened. To this end, they have a 2.5 pound package. Label directions provide 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per acre. This smaller package contains a shaker screen for applying in small areas for those without a seeder applicator.
Store all baits in a "cool" place. (That doesn't mean a place with shag carpet and black-light posters.) Don't store baits next to other pesticides or fuels that might impart odors into the bait. Also, don't use baits when rain is expected.
Note that this article is not an endorsement of one product over another.
From: Stephen B. Bambara, Extension Entomologist
A sample of wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) arrived in the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at North Carolina State University this week. Dave Stephan identified an eriophyid mite (Calepitrimerus ceriferaphagus) in the sample that we have not previously seen in North Carolina. It has been reported on wax myrtle in Florida for several years. These microscopic mites cause blistering and puckering of the leaves (image by Stephen B. Bambara) and an almost mosaic appearance that might be more virus-like. It is presumed that any of the standard miticides would be effective while mites are active.
From: Thomas G. Pegram, Agricultural Extension Agent, Union County
**************************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
***************************************************************
Anson S Anson N Union S Union N Stanly
*********** *********** *********** *********** ***********
Date CBW GR BR CBW GR BR CBW GR BR CBW GR BR CBW GR BR
**************************************************************************
July 9 - - - 0 0 0 6 36 0 7 4 2 10 0 0
July 11 - - - 0 0 0 6 40 0 4 4 0 3 0 0
July 13 - - - 10 0 0 7 41 0 10 3 2 4 0 0
July 16 9 53 0 15 - - 7 19 - 4 7 0 10 0 0
July 18 9 55 0 - - - 9 27 - 8 5 1 6 1 0
July 20 12 64 2 19 - - 26 39 - 7 9 0 6 0 0
July 23 13 58 0 20 - - power outage 11 2 0 12 1 0
July 25 12 2 0 22 - - 37 7 0 7 0 0 13 1 0
July 27 31 4 0 85 - - 28 3 0 10 1 0 17 0 0
**************************************************************************
CBW = cotton bollworm moths; GR = green stink bugs; BR = brown stink bugs
From: Richard W. Rhodes, County Extension Director, Bertie County
***************************************************************************
Windsor Woodard Hexlena Roxobel Colerain
********** ********** ********** ********** **********
Date BW GSB BSB BW GSB BSB BW GSB BSB BW GSB BSB BW GSB BSB
***************************************************************************
July 19 0 0 0 7 3 0 0 0 0 16 5 0 - - -
July 20 5 16 0 24 3 0 0 4 0 - - - - - -
July 21 0 0 0 - - - 0 0 0 10 3 0 - - -
July 22 3 0 0 - - - 0 0 0 - - - - - -
July 23 0 0 0 14 2 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0
July 24 3 4 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 13 1 0 29 0 0
July 25 4 1 0 16 1 0 - - - 16 1 0 47 0 0
July 26 5 0 0 26 1 0 3 0 0 12 0 0 30 0 0
July 27 3 0 0 - - - 6 0 0 22 2 0 69 0 0
***************************************************************************
BW = Bollworm moths; GSB = Green stink bugs; BSB = Brown stink bugs
From: Mike Carroll, Agricultural Extension Agent, Craven County
*************************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
**************************************************************
Date THW TBW CEW GSB BSB ECB FAW BAW Looper
*************************************************************************
July 6 3 1 11 1 1 - 2 - -
July 9 5 1 26 2 1 - 1 - -
July 11 2 - 22 1 1 - - - -
July 13 4 - 28 2 - - 1 - -
July 16 4 2 34 2 1 - 3 - -
July 18 3 - 10 1 - - - - -
July 19 5 1 23 3 2 - 1 - -
July 23 7 2 31 2 1 - 2 - -
July 25 1 - 29 - - 2 1 - -
*************************************************************************
THW = tobacco hornworms; TBW = tobacco budworms; CEW = corn earworms;
GSB = green stink bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs; ECB = European corn
borers; FAW = fall armyworms; BAW = beet armyworms
Location of trap: Cove City
Cooperators: R&W McCoy Farms and Cove City Fertilizer
From: Colby S. Lambert, Agricultural Extension Agent, Cumberland County
*****************************************
Number of Adult Insects
*******************************
Date THW CEW GSB BSB
*****************************************
July 11 0 3 5 0
July 13 0 2 5 0
July 16 4 33 12 0
July 18 2 66 6 0
July 20 7 160 20 0
July 23 23 214 0 0
July 25 14 150 6 0
July 27 12 202 13 0
*****************************************
THW = tobacco hornworms; CEW = corn earworms;
GSB = green stinks bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs
Trap located in Godwin at Cumberland/Harnett County Line
at Lewis Farms off of Highway 301
From: Curtis D. Fountain, Agricultural Extension Agent, Duplin County
***********************************
Number of Adult Insects
************************
Date BW GSB BSB
***********************************
July 2 0 1 0
July 4 0 0 0
July 6 0 4 4
July 9 4 8 0
July 11 1 11 0
July 13 4 7 2
July 16 3 6 0
July 18 9 13 0
July 20 21 23 0
July 23 22 3 0
July 25 15 0 0
July 27 53 4 0
***********************************
BW = cotton bollworms; GSB = green
stink bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs
Trap location: approximately two miles east of Albertson
Cooperator: Justin Murphy
From: Arthur R. Bradley, Jr., Agricultural Extension Agent, Edgecombe County
***********************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
*********************************************
W Edgecombe /a Coakley /b Lawrence /c
************** ************* ************
Date CEW BS GS CEW BS GS CEW BS GS
***********************************************************
July 10 - - 3 14 0 46 - - -
July 11 - - 6 4 0 28 - - -
July 13 0 0 7 8 0 44 - - -
July 15 0 0 5 10 0 49 - - -
July 18 0 0 8 2 0 39 - - -
July 20 8 0 1 1 0 56 4 0 4
July 23 8 0 0 8 0 3 1 0 0
July 25 17 0 2 - - - 7 0 0
July 27 24 0 3 14 0 5 10 0 3
***********************************************************
Abbreviations: CEW = corn earworms;
BS = brown stink bugs; GS = green stinks bugs
a = trap located 12 miles west of Tarboro; maintained by Tom Porter.
b = trap located 5 miles east of Tarboro; maintained by Glenn O’Neal.
c = trap located at Lawrence; maintained by Terri Thomas.
From: Franky J. Howard, Agricultural Extension Agent, Jones County
*****************************************
Number of Adult Insects
*****************************
Date BW BSB GSB HW
*****************************************
July 2 0 0 0 0
July 4 0 0 0 0
July 6 1 0 0 1
July 9 7 0 0 0
July 11 0 0 0 1
July 13 0 0 0 0
July 16 0 1 1 15
July 18 0 4 0 18
July 20 0 0 1 7
July 23 1 0 0 4
July 25 5 0 1 10
July 27 23 0 0 2
*****************************************
Trap Location: Comfort
Monitored by: Morris and Brett Pike
BW = bollworms; BSB = brown stink bugs;
GSB = green stink bugs; HW = hornworms
From: Alan A. Harper, Lenoir County
June
******************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
****************************************************
Date HW CEW ECB AW AWC GSB BSB TBW
******************************************************************
June 15 0 5 0 5 2 0 0 0
June 16 0 7 0 1 3 0 0 0
June 17 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 1
June 18 0 1 1 1 4 0 0 0
June 19 0 3 0 0 2 2 4 0
June 20 0 5 1 0 3 0 2 0
June 21 ---------------no electric power-------------------
June 22 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
June 23 1 10 1 3 14 1 0 1
June 24 0 3 0 1 4 0 0 0
June 25 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0
June 26 0 0 5 0 6 3 0 0
June 27 0 3 4 1 2 2 0 0
June 28 0 4 1 0 3 1 0 0
June 29 0 4 0 1 2 0 0 0
June 30 0 4 2 1 5 0 0 0
******************************************************************
July
******************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
****************************************************
Date HW CEW ECB AW AWC GSB BSB TBW
******************************************************************
July 1 ---------------no electric power-------------------
July 2 0 3 0 0 3 2 0 0
July 3 0 6 2 0 6 1 0 0
July 4 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0
July 5 0 2 1 0 5 4 0 0
July 6 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 0
July 7 0 3 1 1 3 4 0 0
July 8 ---------------no electric power-------------------
July 9 0 2 2 0 5 3 0 0
July 10 0 2 0 0 0 7 0 0
July 11 0 1 0 0 3 3 0 0
July 12 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
July 13 0 2 2 0 5 9 0 0
July 14 0 4 2 0 3 1 0 0
July 15 0 0 3 4 1 4 0 0
July 16 1 2 1 1 4 9 0 0
July 17 0 3 2 1 2 3 0 0
July 18 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0
July 19 1 12 1 0 3 15 0 0
July 20 0 11 2 0 7 7 2 0
July 21 ------------------unplugged------------------------
July 22 0 12 2 0 7 0 0 0
July 23 0 8 4 0 4 1 0 1
July 24 1 13 0 1 2 0 0 0
July 25 0 22 1 1 2 3 0 0
July 26 0 21 3 1 4 1 0 0
July 27 0 19 1 0 3 3 0 0
******************************************************************
Abbreviations: HW = hornworms; CEW = corn earworms; ECB = European
corn borers; AW = true armyworms; AWC = armyworm complex; GSB =
green stink bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs; TBW = tobacco budworms
From: J. B. Coltrain, County Extension Director, Martin County
******************************************
Farm Life Robersonville
******************************************
Date BW GSB BSB BW GSB BSB
******************************************
July 16 7 3 0 8 6 0
July 18 4 5 0 5 5 0
July 20 1 3 0 7 5 0
July 23 0 0 0 0 0 0
July 25 11 0 0 10 0 0
July 27 9 0 0 6 1 0
******************************************
BW = Bollworm moths; GSB = Green stink bugs; BSB = Brown stink bugs
From: Charlie Tyson, Agricultural Extension Agent, Nash County
***********************************
Number of Adult Insects
************************
Date CEW GSB BSB
***********************************
July 13 3 - -
July 16 10 - -
July 18 5 3 -
July 20 8 10 1
July 23 14 3 0
July 25 1 0 0
***********************************
CEW = corn earworms; GSB = green
stink bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs
Trap location: near Hickory Crossroads
From: Craig Ellison, Agricultural Extension Agent, Northampton County
************************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
****************************************************************
Woodland Conway ‘Neck Seaboard Gaston Jackson
********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *********
Date CEW GR BR CEW GR BR CEW GR BR CEW GR BR CEW GR BR CEW GR BR
************************************************************************
July 18 - - - - - - - - - 3 4 - - - - 0 12 0
July 20 - - - - - - - - - 2 2 0 - - - 12 89 2
July 23 - - - 4 2 0 - - - 6 0 0 - - - 25 2 0
July 25 0 0 0 - - - - - - 12 4 0 - - - 26 5 0
July 27 0 0 0 5 1 0 - - - 16 2 0 - - - 37 3 0
************************************************************************
CEW = corn earworms; GR = green stink bugs; BR = brown stink bugs
Locations: Woodland, Conway, 'Neck, Seaboard, Gaston and Jackson
Monitored by: L. Culpepper, K. Edwards, B. Johnson, T. Flythe,
D. Grant and B. Bryant
From: Tray Bridgers, Agricultural Extension Agent, Onslow County
**********************************************
Number of Adult Insects
**********************************
Date Bollworms GSB BSB Hornworms
**********************************************
July 4 6 3 0 0
July 6 20 7 0 0
July 9 25 19 3 0
July 11 21 10 0 0
July 13 33 10 3 1
July 16 31 10 0 0
July 18 34 3 5 3
July 20 39 18 2 6
July 23 25 5 0 3
July 25 25 0 0 0
July 27 57 4 0 2
**********************************************
GSB = green stinks bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs
Trap location: Richlands; Cooperator: Richland Farms
Insect counts are from a single black light trap
located approximately 1 mile east of Richlands.
From: Kent Wooten, Agricultural Extension Agent, Robeson County
****************************************
Number of Adult Insects
**************************
Date BW GSB BSB FAW
****************************************
July 6 12 - - -
July 7-8 23 - - -
July 9 18 - - -
July 10 15 - - -
July 11 11 - - -
July 12 14 - - -
July 13-15 47 18 3 -
July 16 18 7 1 2
July 17-18 132 17 4 -
July 19 98 11 1 11
July 20 105 7 1 9
July 21-22 172 5 0 13
July 23 105 2 0 2
July 24 102 3 0 0
****************************************
BW = bollworms; GSB = green stick bugs;
BSB = brown stink bugs; FAW = fall armyworms
Location is Rowland; monitored by Kay McGirt
From: Josh Gaddy, Agricultural Extension Agent, Sampson County
******************************************
Number of Adult Insects
***************************
Date BW GSB BSB THW
******************************************
July 2 ------ trap set up -------
July 5 3 0 1 1
July 6 3 0 0 0
July 9 3 7 0 4
July 11 3 1 1 2
July 13 4 4 0 8
July 16 - - - -
July 18 12 0 0 12
July 20 57 5 0 8
July 23 132 2 0 17
July 25 50 0 0 4
July 27 93 1 0 3
******************************************
BW = cotton bollworms; GSB = green stink bugs;
BSB = brown stink bugs; THW = tobacco hornworms
Black trap located 6 miles south of Clinton on
US-701S on the farm of Mike and James Hope.
From: David E. Morrison, Agricultural Extension Agent, Scotland County
***********************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
*************************************************************
Gibson John’s Laurinburg
****************** ***************** *****************
Date BW GSB BSB FAW BW GSB BSB FAW BW GSB BSB FAW
***********************************************************************
July 11 13 14 0 0 22 33 1 0 12 10 1 0
July 13 8 10 0 0 17 25 6 0 3 7 0 0
July 16 16 14 0 0 61 14 0 0 26 5 0 0
July 18 16 5 0 0 74 24 2 0 57 6 0 0
July 20 41 7 0 0 223 41 0 0 156 11 0 0
July 23 26 1 0 0 268 3 0 0 81 1 0 0
July 25 62 3 0 0 138 1 0 0 146 6 0 1
July 27 53 4 0 0 164 4 0 0 110 5 0 0
***********************************************************************
BW = bollworm moth; GSB = green stink bugs;
BSB = brown stink bugs; FAW = fall armyworms
From: Kevin Johnson, Agricultural Extension Agent, Wayne County
**********************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
***********************************************
Seven Springs Goldsboro
********************** *********************
Date GSB BSB CEW HW GSB BSB CEW HW
**********************************************************
July 6 - - - - 2 0 1 0
July 9 - - - - 23 6 1 0
July 11 - - - - 1 0 1 0
July 13 1 0 1 2 5 0 3 1
July 16 2 0 6 4 - - - -
July 18 0 0 5 0 10 - 11 2
July 20 4 0 4 3 - - - -
July 23 1 0 8 5 2 0 61 2
July 25 - - - - 1 1 50 3
July 27 2 0 4 3 3 0 120 0
**********************************************************
GSB = green stink bugs; BSB = brown stink bugs;
CEW = corn earworms; HW = hornworms
Cooperators: D. M. Price (Seven Springs); Willie Howell (Goldsboro)
From: Norman E. Harrell, Agricultural Extension Agent, Wilson County
*********************************************************************
Number of Adult Insects
*******************************************************
Lucama Pender's Xrds Sims Fountain
*******************************************************
Date CEW BS GS CEW BS GS CEW BS GS CEW BS GS
*********************************************************************
July 16 - - - - - - - - - 4 0 9
July 18 - - - 14 0 1 0 0 2 4 0 25
July 20 - - - 10 0 0 3 0 0 18 0 24
July 23 12 0 0 17 0 1 0 0 0 37 0 3
July 25 2 0 1 25 0 0 1 0 0 13 0 3
July 27 4 0 2 15 0 1 4 0 0 20 0 14
*********************************************************************
Locations: Lucama, Pender's Crossroads, Sims and Fountain
Monitored by: Chris Bass, Adam Gardner, Thad Sharpe and Barbara Smith
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on July 30, 2007 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.