Alabama Insect Blog

Fine Tuning Cotton Insect Management for 2012

2012-01-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

I. Thrips Control

Need for foliar overspray

Influenced by planting date primarily but also to lesser degree by night temperature and overall growing conditions
Seed treatments planted from early April to about May 10th would benefit from foliar overspray
Seed treatments give 21 day thrips suppression as opposed to 28+ days with in-furrow granules
What you see with thrips injury above ground is reflective also of underground root conditions and growth

Timing of overspray

Most beneficial when most of plants have 1st true leaf about the size of a small finger nail
Cotton with 4 or more true leaves usually does not benefit from overspray

Multi state research in 2011 indicated that acephate (Orthene or generics) was equal to or superior to all other choices

Certain pyrethroids were a weak choice
Bidrin is effective but I would suggest saving for stink bug control. New label limits total use of Bidrin in one season to 1.2 lbs active.

New products tested: Benevia (Dupont) and Radiant ( Dow). Both looked very effective but not certain about registration date and cost.

II. Nematode Management

Rotation- peanuts, grain sorghum, corn
Variety selection- PHY367WRF has root knot tolerance
In-furrow granules

Loss of Temik
Meymik registered on December 22, 2011 (production and supply for 2012 uncertain)

Seed treatments

Suggest to use on lower risk fields
In high nematode risk fields would be like using a Band-Aid when a tourniquet is needed

Fumigate (Telone)

Consider site specific nematicide placement (Precision Ag)
Nematodes usually not evenly distributed across field

Deep tillage- grew cotton over 100 years without nematodes being a limiting factor- only since reduced tillage have they become a major problem

III. Plant Bugs

Movement from wild host into cotton influenced by climate

Hot/dry results in high peak but short in time
Wet/cool spring results in low movement over longer period

Most effective insecticides

Acephate (Orthene, generics)- can flare spider mites
Bidrin- good but only labeled for post bloom period
Centric- effective but hard on beneficials and fire ants
Pyrethroids- can flare spider mites
Diamond- very effective on immature stage post bloom, especially when tank mixed with one of the above
Intruder, Carbine, imidacloprid (Trimax), Belay, Vydate- less effective than others with one application

IV. Plant Bugs + Aphids (July)

Intruder, Carbine, imidacloprid (Trimax, etc.), Centric
Diamond may be combined with the above

V. Mid Season Worm Overspray

May be more important with Phytogen varieties
Timing could be mid July to early August depending on your north to south location
Pyrethroids are a good fit here
If brown stink bugs are also present, may want to select bifenthrin or Bidrin XPII (combination of Bidrin + Bifenthrin) or use highest labeled rate of other pyrethroids
Role of Fire Ants in Cotton

Are the dominant beneficial in Alabama cotton today
Not only important in conventional systems but also reduces escapes in Bollgard and WideStrike (Example: Mississippi consultants spray BGII on % egg lay)
Some chemicals suppress fire ants more than others (Centric, Steward, pyrethroids, imidacloprid)
Dr. Tim Reed and I conducted a project at Prattville last season (Poster Presentation)
Results show less boll damage on both conventional and genetic cotton with fire ants in system as opposed to no fire ants

Numbers on the side represent the number of worm damaged bolls per 45 feet.

Impact of Fire Ants On Bollworm
Damage in Alabama Cotton

VI. Fall Armyworms

2010 and 2011 seasons have produced widespread outbreaks of the “grass” or “rice” strain of the FAW
This strain primarily attacks pastures, hay, grasses and peanuts and are easy to control with most insecticides, including pyrethroids
They do not prefer to feed on cotton or corn

VII. Stink Bugs

Some level of scouting needed for most economical control

May need 0-4 sprays ($6-9 each considering application)
Could pay for a field scout with savings or reduced damage from stink bugs alone

Most effective scouting is to examine 10-12 day old bolls for internal injury
Use “dynamic” or sliding threshold which considers the number of bolls at risk at a given week of bloom

Possible Reasons for Low Stink Bug Pressure in 2011

Winter temperatures (colder than recent winters)

Southern green stink bug is very sensitive to cold weather

Impact of hot, dry spring on wild host/corn—may have reduced numbers of brown stink bug species

New Stink Bugs

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Kudzu Bug (soybeans)
Red-Banded Stink Bug (soybeans)

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Red Banded Stink Bug

Kudzu Bug

VIII. New Products and Technology

Sulfoxaflor (Transform)- Dow

Effective on plant bugs and aphids

Beseige (combination of Karate + Coragen)

Effective on broad spectrum of caterpillars (loopers, fall armyworms), plus would have green stink bug activity

Endigo (combination of Karate + Centric)

Effective on certain caterpillars, plant bugs, aphids and green stink bugs

Belay- in market place for past two seasons for plant bug/stink bug control

Still need more University research to get a good handle on effectiveness

Prevathon (Dupont)

One of most active caterpillar insecticides ever developed
Excellent residual, depending on rate
Very rainfast
Should be targeted at egg stage or small larvae

Bayer Twin-Link

Contains multiple Bt genes
Performs somewhere between WideStrike and Bollgard II for caterpillar control

Bollgard III

Under development
Third gene is not a Bt so it has multiple modes of action for worms
Reduces escapes over Bollgard II and will provide long term resistance management for the genetic technology

Poncho/Votivo Seed Treatment

Insecticide + biological nematicide
Looked at it in one trial on cotton and could see growth response and earliness, even under low nematode pressure

Overview of 2011 Cotton Insect Season

2012-01-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

Early Season Pests
Thrips were extremely heavy from about April 15 to May 20. A major contributor to this heavy migration of thrips from wild hosts and wheat into cotton was the extreme drought conditions and absence of rainfall events during this period.

Plant Bugs
One peak movement of adult TPB into cotton occurred between June 20 and July 1. The majority of this infestation only happened in the earlier planted fields (most mature cotton). One insecticide application was targeted to these adult TPB’s when they were detected. Few immatures were detected in these fields in the coming weeks, so no in-field generation occurred. This may have been influenced by the extreme temperatures that occurred during this period (98-102⁰F).

Bollworm
Subeconomic numbers of bollworms occurred over an extended period from about July 15 to August 10. Few fields ever reached treatment threshold. 2011 was like the lowest bollworm pressure year on record. End-of-season damage boll counts on untreated genetic cotton were less than one boll per 10 feet.

Tobacco Budworm
Budworm numbers were non-detectable to extremely light all season long. Budworm larvae were too low to detect on conventional cotton and even on attractive crops such as tobacco when used as a sentinel crop.

Aphids
Aphid numbers were very slow to build in 2011 but also slow to crash due to naturally occurring diseases. The fungal disease was slow to develop which left aphids in the system much later than normal. Aphids normally peak and crash prior to, or at, the early boll set stage but this did not happen in 2011. Also, observations indicated a resurgence of aphids in the mid canopy area of the plants in late season as opposed to the terminal area.

Stink Bugs
Stink bugs in 2011 were fewest in number and damage of any year since the boll weevil was eradicated. This was likely due to the colder than normal winter temperature effect on the southern green species and the extreme spring heat and drought effect on the brown species. The majority of the few stink bugs observed in 2011 was the brown species.

Fall Armyworms
The “rice or grass” strain of the fall armyworm was abundant over much of the season in pastures, hay, and grasses. This strain will feed on peanuts but not on corn or cotton. They are easy to control on pastures with pyrethroids and numerous other labeled agricultural insecticides.

Impact of Alabama Cotton Commission Research Support for Cotton Insect Management-30 Year Overview 1986-2011

2012-01-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

Thirty years of cotton insect research in Alabama— from boll weevils to boll weevil eradication– to beet armyworms and pyrethroid resistant tobacco budworms– to genetically altered varieties– to boll feeding bugs (stink bugs). On the chemical arsenal side– from Azodrin, EPN + methyl parathion, Lannate, Bolstar, Curacron, Galecron, and Fundal and the original pyrethroids (Ambush, Pounce, and Pydrin) to generics of the third generation pyrethroids.

What an evolution and what a ride. Thanks to support by the Alabama Cotton Commission, we have survived and are better for it.

One could argue that the past 30 years have been the “worst of times and the best of times” in cotton insect control. I consider it to be the most exciting and revolutionary period in cotton insect control history. The worst of times was the period of 1987 to 1995 with uncontrollable beet armyworm outbreaks and the development of pyrethroid resistance to the tobacco budworm. The best of times was made possible by the eradication of the boll weevil and the introduction of genetically altered cotton varieties. The “best of the best” times were experienced by many growers in 2011, with one of the statewide highest yielding years in history, the best market prices in my career and the lowest insect loss year in history. Both Alabama and the U.S. reported total losses to insects in 2011 as 2-3%, the lowest ever recorded.

Two of the most important events in cotton insect control in the past 100 years happened during the past 30 years: boll weevil eradication and the introduction of genetically altered varieties. In 1996, the first year of Bollgard cotton, Alabama lead the cotton belt by planting 77% of our acreage to the new technology. I feel certain that this set a record in the adoption of new technology. This was the result of two factors, one much more significant than the other. The overriding factor was the pressure and damage by the tobacco budworm in 1994 and 1995. A secondary factor was impacted by funding by the ACC which allowed us to work with the Bt technology for four years before it was introduced. We felt very comfortable in recommended Bollgard varieties to growers based on four years of research experience.

Looking back at this 30 year period, we can see where research support by the ACC was involved at every turn and event during this historical period.

Let us look back now at some of the major insect events and advancements that happened during the past 30 years and discuss briefly how ACC projects gave answers to the most significant concerns and questions during this era. I will attempt to present these in chronological order.

A. Beet Armyworm Outbreaks

No effective chemistry available
Parasites and predators, if present, gave effective control-- but not possible during active eradication
Experimental insecticide, Pirate, highly effective but not approved by the EPA for emergency use until too late (August 1995)
The original efficacy work on BAW control with Pirate was done at Prattville Experimental Field with ACC support
Meeting with EPA in Senator Heflin’s office- Washington D.C.

B. Pyrethroid Resistant Tobacco Budworms

Pyrethroid Resistant Tobacco Budworms
No effective chemistry available
1994-1995 highest numbers in history, up to 5 larvae per plant
Yield losses astronomical
ACC funded research showed that a combination of Lannate + Larvin on 5-7 day schedule gave suppression

C. Transition from In-furrow to Seed Treatments for Thrips Control

Grower adoption rapid due to convenience and safety
Initially Cruiser and Gaucho
Transition to complete-pak with nematode suppression, Avicta and Aeris
ACC research showed that seed treatments were not as consistent as in-furrow, and often needed a supplemental foliar spray, especially if planting in the early season window. Also, that seed treatments were less effective than Temik for nematode and spider mite suppression

D. Introduction of New Caterpillar Chemistry

First- Tracer (Spinosad)- soft on beneficials, great on Tobacco Budworm
Later- Steward (indoxacarb), Prevathon (rynaxypyr)- long residual and rain fastness, Belt (flubendiamide)
All much more effective on small worms and require good coverage (ground application superior to air)

E. Evolution of Genetically Altered Technology

Bollgard

Single gene
Weak concentration of Bt in blooming zone of plant leading to mid season bollworm escapes under bloom tag
Benefits of pyrethroids overspray in mid-late July for sub threshold level of multiple pests

WideStrike

Two gene
Second gene effective on fall armywor
Weak concentration of Bt in terminal (original work Beltwide was at Prattville
Scouting technique must be different than Bollgar
Under pressure, WideStrike required overspray with pyrethroid

Bollgard II

Two gene
Reduced bollworm escapes by about 80-90% over Bollgar
Broaden caterpillar spectrum over single gen
Second gene has long term benefit in resistance managemen
No refuge requirement

Bayer Twin Link

Two Bt insect genes and
Caterpillar effectiveness between WideStrike and BGII

Bollgard III

Contains third insect gen
Third gene not Bt so has different mode of actio
Should provide long term caterpillar resistance managemen

Lygus Genetics

Early stages of developmen
Evaluated 40 lines of genetically altered cotton for lygus in 2011, Prattville

F. New Generations of Pyrethroid Chemistry

Early 1990’s documented that not all equal for fall armyworm control. Karate, bifenthrin (Capture) superior
More recently developing data to show that bifenthrin not as effective on bollworm species
Pyrethroids not effective on the brown stink bug; however, bifenthrin superior to other pyrethroids
Some generic pyrethroids may not be as effective as the “brand” names

G. Evolution of the Shifting Insect Complex Following BWE and Bt Varieties

Current low spray environment
Development of boll feeding bugs and sucking pests (plant bug and stink bug complex, leaf footed bugs)
Role of IGR Diamond for plant bug management
Reemergence of spider mites as an economic pest of cotton (influenced by movement from Temik to seed treatments)

H. Stink Bug-Dominant Insect of Alabama Cotton

Work to develop best scouting technique
Now sample 10-12 day old bolls for internal injury
Worked with other southeastern states to develop a “dynamic” threshold for stink bugs. One that considered the number of bolls at risk at a given point in the season

J. Insect Management in Conventional Cotton Systems

Conducted research on which new insecticides provide the best caterpillar control
How to best manage beneficials, plant bugs, and early mid-season pests
Trials indicate that weed control costs similar in both conventional and generic systems
Tobacco budworms are the budget buster in a conventional system
Can make only one TBW spray per season with the savings from no insect technology fee
Discovered role of fire ants in both conventional and generic systems

K. Role of Fire Ants in Cotton

Are the dominant beneficial in Alabama cotton today
Not only important in conventional systems but also reduces escapes in Bollgard and WideStrike (Example: Mississippi consultants spray BGII on % egg lay)
Some chemicals suppress fire ants more than others (Centric, Steward, pyrethroids, imidacloprid)
Dr. Tim Reed and I conducted a project at Prattville last season (Poster Presentation)
Results show less boll damage on both conventional and genetic cotton with fire ants in system as opposed to no fire ants

Numbers on the side represent the number of worm damaged bolls per 45 feet.

Impact of Fire Ants On Bollworm
Damage in Alabama Cotton

L. Emergence of Sporatic Pests

Grasshoppers have increased in importance in reduced tillage environment
Pose risk to stands
$$$ greater investment in front end of season production cost now compared to old days
Immature G.H. easy to control, adults difficult
Ideal timing is when “burning down” in early spring
Most all labeled chemicals, including the IGR (Dimlin), work on immature at low labeled rates

M. Study of Bollworm Resistance to Bt

Lab studies conducted by Dr. Bill Moar, who has since moved onto the Monsanto resistance management team
His findings indicate that bollworms have the ability to develop resistance to Bt in the lab– but they usually are unfit for survival when they do so.

In Summary
The ACC did not fund all of every project completed over the past 20-30 years. However, your support often made it possible to be in a learning situation on insect outbreaks; new emerging pests/problems and on projects/trials that were not directly funded. Some of you may remember that my grants in earlier years were entitled “To look at New Chemistry and Technology and Determine Where They Best Fit in Alabama Cotton Production”. This allowed us to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of new chemistry/technology than even the companies bringing them to the market. Cotton insect research is unlike most of the other disciplines in that it requires much more hands on involvement. Often times, support from multiple sources had to be pooled to provide the labor and travel to conduct cotton insect trials. Fifteen to 20 trips to a research site are often required between planting and harvest. This is especially true with the genetic technology under development.

A final point I would like to make is that we in Extension have conducted basically all the cotton insect research since the early 1990’s without an Ag Research station counterpart. We feel that we have kept Alabama growers up-to-date and often ahead of the curve in cotton insect management, when compared to other states. Much of the credit goes to the support we have received from the Alabama Cotton Commission.

Highlights of 2011 Research Projects

2012-01-17T06:55:00.000-08:00

A multiyear-multistate (Southeastern U.S.) thrips research project, funded by Cotton Incorporated, was initiated in 2011. Evaluations were made with the following variables:

1. Base fertilizer only versus Base fertilizer + Starter
2. Fungicide only versus Seed Treatment + Fungicide
3. No foliar sprays versus Foliar sprays at the first or second true leaf stage
Both dryland and irrigated sites were conducted.

Observations from the first year of the study in Alabama were as follows:

1. The starter fertilizer did not benefit thrips control, especially on dryland sites.
2. If planting prior to May 15, some form of seed treatment is a must for thrips control.
3. Under heavy thrips pressure, such as 2011, a seed treatment alone will not give adequate control, if planting prior to about May 10.
4. Foliar sprays for thrips control should be timed at the 1st or 2nd true leaf stage (when the leaf is the size of a small finger nail). Foliar sprays after the 4th true leaf are seldom necessary.
5. Effectiveness of several insecticides for thrips control.
-Acephate (Orthene or generics) was equal to, or superior to, all others evaluated. Certain pyrethroids did not give acceptable control. Two new chemicals (Benevia-Dupont) and (Radiant-Dow) gave good results at the rates tested. Labeling and their economics are uncertain at present.

Another project was conducted to define the role of fire ants in suppressing caterpillar damage in varieties with various insect traits. A small plot (8 rows x 45 feet) replicated study was conducted utilizing three varieties: DP174RF, PHY565WRF and DP1050B2RF in blocks with no fire ants versus normal fire ants. The trial was conducted in a reduced tillage system. An end of season worm damage boll count was made and the results are presented in the following visual.

The numbers on the left show the number of worm damaged bolls per 45 feet.

Impact of Fire Ants on Bollworm Damage in Alabama Cotton

Weather and Insects Affect Late Season Cotton, Soybean and Peanuts

2011-08-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

The greatest impact on cotton during the past two weeks has been the lack of rainfall. Drought and intense heat has resulted in the shed of all fruit less than 10 day old bolls from the terminals of plants. This will tend to shorten additional boll production by 2 to 3 weeks and will likely reduce the “top crop” by 200 or so pounds of lint in many fields. Rainfall in the next 7 days would still help fill top bolls that are not mature.

As the result of the above conditions, the insect control season, especially stink bugs, is about over. A few southern green stink bugs can be found in late maturing fields or “swag” areas that remain green in more mature cotton fields. Thresholds for these would be 30-50% internal boll damage on 10-12 day old bolls. A few fields would still profit from stink bug controls.

Tobacco budworms have been extremely low all season but field observations and pheromone traps indicate an increase in the past week or two. Also, bollworm moths are abundant this week in the southern counties of the state.

Soybean Insects- Soybean loopers are at economic levels of 5 or more per row foot in some Gulf Coast area soybeans. Chemical choices (in no particular order) are: Intrepid, Steward, Belt, Tracer and Besiege (Coragen and Karate). Dimilin will give good suppression and long residual. On cotton, the same can be said for Diamond.

Peanut Insects- Scouts reported a mixture of foliage feeding worms in peanuts in Monroe County (S.W. Alabama) about 10 days ago. Many of these were controlled or either they have cycled out by now. This mixture was dominated by bollworm and fall armyworm (grass strain) species. Also in the mix were a few green cloverworms, loopers, and granulate cutworms. Pyrethroids gave nice control of this mix.

Bollworm Pressure Remains Extremely High Across the Coastal Plains of Alabama and Georgia

2011-08-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Bollworm pressure has been extremely high across the coastal plains of Alabama and Georgia for the past two weeks or so. Untreated sentinel plots of conventional cotton in southwest Georgia, southeast and southwest Alabama have been stripped of all fruit during this period. Bollworm moths were still active on August 10th at Headland, Alabama. We are relatively certain most of this population has been the bollworm species because sentinel plantings of tobacco in this same area have had few tobacco budworms present to date. As far as I know, no economic levels of escapes have occurred on varieties with Bt technology.

Aphids Reoccurring in Central Alabama Fields

2011-08-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

Aphids have reoccurred in some central Alabama fields in the past week. Their infestation pattern on the plant is distinctly different from that of the aphids that normally occur in June and July. These August aphids are occurring down midways in the canopy while the terminals of the plants are aphid free.

Soybean Loopers in Southwest Georgia

2011-08-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Soybean loopers were discovered in cotton in Seminole county, southwest Georgia, last week. There were only about 2-4 per foot of row which is below treatment levels. However, since this is a little early for loopers to appear, they will have to be watched for in coming weeks.

Fleahoppers and Silver Leaf Whiteflies Reported in Southwest Alabama

2011-08-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

After two uneventful weeks with little cotton insect news, several points have been learned this week. Consultants from the Mobile area of SW Alabama voiced that the cotton fleahopper has been their most persistent insect this season. This area also has another fleahopper species in the mix, that being the garden fleahopper. Fleahoppers are not difficult to control but populations can rebound very quickly within 5-7 days. Also in this same area, silver leaf whiteflies (SLWF) are infesting a few cotton fields that are planted adjacent to melon fields. Controls were needed for this insect.

Aphid numbers continue to build, while most insects numbers remain at moderate levels

2011-07-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Insect conditions have not changed greatly in the past week or so. Aphids have continued to build in more fields. All other insects are low to moderate levels (mostly sub-threshold). These include plant bugs (including a few clouded plant bugs coming into the mix), bollworms, tobacco budworms and stink bugs. Most growers do not have enough of a single species to apply controls for. The two biggest surprises at this point in the season are the low number of bollworms and the low number of stink bugs in most fields. Numerous fields of conventional cotton still have less than 2 bollworms per 100 plants. Boll damage to stink bugs is less than 10% in most fields.

Most of the state has had abundant thunderstorms for several consecutive weeks. Cotton yield prospects have improved greatly and, if conditions continue, numerous fields have two bale plus potential. The two biggest limitations we now have are fields with “skippy” stands and too much late maturing cotton.

Later than normal aphid buildup may require more proactive treatments

2011-07-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

More fields were reported with aphid infestations last week. Due to this later than normal aphid buildup, growers may want to be more proactive in applying treatments. Stress from aphids, where they are occurring in 2011, is overlapping early to mid boll set. We need to set all the fruit possible in the next two weeks.

Both the brown and Southern stink green stink bug species are present at some level in many fields. Cotton planted in April and up to mid May is already into the third to sixth week of bloom. This means that we should be using a low (10%) internal damaged boll threshold for stink bugs. Growers who chose to treat for aphids should consider stink bugs when selecting their chemicals or tank mixtures.

The flight of corn earworms from corn to cotton usually occurs the week of July 20 in central Alabama. This egg lay may occur up to 7 days earlier in south Alabama and 7 days later in the northern counties. This budworm flight will only be meaningful to those who have planted conventional cotton varieties. Older larvae observed last week were likely from budworm moths that occurred 1 to 2 weeks ago.

Tarnished plant bug, aphid, tobacco budworm and fall armyworm numbers on the increase

2011-07-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

Tarnished plant bug adults were found in numerous fields in western Alabama (Lamar County) on Friday (July 8). Pin head square loss was minimal (less than 5%) and very few immature plant bugs were found. This would indicate that adults had moved into cotton fairly recently. However, this is a situation where damage could increase rapidly if controls are not applied.

Several calls were received late last week about increasing aphid populations in some fields. Aphids are late developing this season, which means they also could be late crashing from the fungal disease. This being the case, the peak aphid stress will come during the early boll set window. Growers may find it best to apply aphid controls and prevent plant stress at this stage of maturity.

Heavy tobacco budworm damage has been occurring on sentinel plots of conventional cotton in SW Georgia for the past week. Growers with Bollgard II and Widestrike can sleep well at night knowing that their investment in technology is working to near perfection.

The “grass” strain of the fall armyworm is now damaging pastures and hay crops in several south Alabama counties. This strain will also feed on peanut foliage but will not feed on cotton.

Tarnished Plant Bugs

2011-06-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

High numbers of adult tarnished plant bugs have been reported by two consultants in the Talladega county area this week. In both cases the fieldmen found the plant bugs before square retention began dropping. Numbers as high as 21 adults per 100 row feet were recorded. This is far in excess of what I would consider threshold. Some might question if they should wait until square retention drops before applying controls. I would suggest for controls to be applied immediately since this generation of bugs will not only feed, causing square loss, in the next week—they will also deposit eggs in the plant tissue that will result in a July in-field generation.

A few growers have expressed concern about conserving beneficials but one advantage of having Bollgard II and WideStrike genetics is that you can react to plant bugs when they reach damaging levels. We do not have an insecticide that will kill tarnished plant bugs and conserve beneficials. Any chemical choice that is selective on beneficials would also be selective on plant bugs.

Tarnished Plant Bugs Threatening Cotton Yields

2011-06-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

Tim Reed, Extension Entomologist

June 21, 2011

Control measures for tarnished plant bugs (TPB’s) in the oldest cotton fields in north Alabama began two weeks ago and initial applications continue to be applied to later planted fields. Consultants report TPB pressure to be higher than normal than at this time last year and there is concern that some fields, especially older fields may require two TPB treatments. The cooler, wetter weather we are having this week in parts of Alabama will be favorable to TPB’s. The longer TPB treatments are postponed the more eggs are deposited by adult TPB’s which result in higher numbers of immature TPB’s present in late June and July. One consultant reports that TPB’s can presently be collected in a sweep net at any time of the day in north Alabama cotton fields but they tend to be more abundant on field edges. Some cotton fields in Montgomery county this week are also suffering 20% (Bt cotton threshold) or better pin head square loss due primarily to TPB damage and there could be control measures initiated in this central Alabama county this week. TPB’s are a much more serious pest for conventional cotton producers than for Bt cotton growers since all available chemicals that control adult plant bugs also significantly reduce beneficial insects/spiders. This increases the chances of a severe tobacco budworm infestation in the last half of June. Conventional cotton growers have a difficult time deciding on whether or not to spray for adult plant bugs in mid-June when they know it will be expensive to “fight” worms. Dry weather makes the decision even more difficult. Mississippi entomologists are reporting higher than normal numbers of tobacco budworm moths being collected in pheromone traps and budworm moths are now depositing low numbers of eggs on cotton in Montgomery county. Another concern for all cotton producers is the fear of spider mite populations increasing after TPB applications. Spider mites tend to appear in the same areas each year. Thus far a few north Alabama cotton fields have been treated with bifenthrin to help slow spider mites. Serious spider mite problems will require more expensive chemistry and consultants hope disease will take out the spider mites before more costly chemicals are required.

Tarnished Plant Bugs Reported in Central Alabama

2011-06-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

Three fieldmen from central Alabama (Montgomery, Macon and Lee Coutnies) reported significant movement of adult tarnished plant bugs into cotton this week. Damage, in the form of pinhead square loss, was evident in all three locations. Square retention was below 70% in several fields. This square loss will likely become greater if controls are not applied since the plant bugs are relatively young and have several more days to do damage. Bidrin, Orthene (or generics), or Centric would provide the highest level of control. Pyrethroids would also provide an acceptable level of control. We need to set a high percent of early fruit in fields that have received moisture in the past few days.

Drought Conditions Continue

2011-06-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

Despite a few scattered thunderstorms, the drought conditions continue to dominate the row crop situation in much of Alabama. We have cotton that ranges from about 13-15 nodes (planted mid April) to other fields lacking moisture for seed germination. The oldest cotton is about knee high with squares from nodes 6 through 13-15. At this point, potential plant bug damage does not appear to be high. Roadsides and field borders dried down before cotton was old enough to provide food and shade in most fields. Excessive heat during the past 30 days has likely reduced plant bug populations on wild hosts.

Thrips numbers have been low for several weeks following about 4 weeks of high pressure from late April to mid May. The most prominent insects of the past few weeks have been false chinch bugs and white margined burrower bugs.

Most fields are in the stage between being susceptible to thrips and being susceptible to plant bug injury.

As the Southeastern drought continues, thrips pressure is heavy.

2011-05-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

Southeastern Drought Continues
With the exception of a few counties in the Montgomery (Alabama) area, the remainder of the southeast remains extremely dry as of May 23rd. Cotton planting has slowed or stopped where irrigation is not present. In central and south Alabama only about 10% of the cotton acreage is under irrigation.

Cotton Insects
Thrips continue to feed heavily on cotton, even up to and through the five true leaf stage. On May 18, more than 10 thrips per plant were recorded on mid-April planted cotton at Prattville, Alabama. Even cotton planted with Temik at 5#/A needed a foliar spray under this level of pressure. All other at-planting treatments were even more severely stunted. We likely have lost at least 10-12 days of maturity in fields with the heaviest thrips injury.

Cotton Thrips Pressure Heavy, Grasshoppers, and Other Cotton Insects

2011-05-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

Cotton Thrips Pressure Heavy

Dry conditions in the coastal plain areas of Alabama and the Southeast have resulted in the migration of tremendous numbers of thrips from wild vegetation and small grains into cotton. All at-planting treatments, in cotton that was planted in April, are being overwhelmed by thrips numbers and injury. Sixty or more thrips can be found on 5 plants within one foot of row. The majority are in the adult stage but immatures are also being found this week.

Due to this continuous migration of thrips, foliar sprays are only holding for 3 to 5 days. However, these sprays are making a big difference from plants that are not receiving foliar applications. Foliar sprays to research plots that received no at-planting treatments have not been adequate in reducing severe thrips injury.

Several different chemicals are being evaluated as foliar sprays for thrips control. At this point, nothing has been as effective as our old standby acephate (Orthene), at 0.2 lb. per acre active.

Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers remain at high levels in the farmscape. Where they are present, controls would be advisable before cotton emerges. Grasshoppers are a threat to stands from the “crook” stage, as the plants emerge, up until about the 5 true leaf stage.

Other Cotton Insects

Ebony bug (Negro bug) immatures have been reported on young cotton in the Talladega County area. Chinch bugs and false chinch bugs have also been reported.

Grasshoppers

2011-04-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Several reports have been received already about grasshoppers in moderate to high numbers in cotton fields that are in the process of being planted in central Alabama. The presence of grasshoppers is not surprising. But the fact that some fields have predominately adults is surprising. Normally the population is almost all immature at this time of the season. Adults usually occur in late May and June. The significance of the life stage is that adults are much more difficult to control. Acephate (Orthene or generics), chlorpyriphos (Lorsban or generics), Dimilin and others give good control of the immature stage. Much higher labeled rates are required to control adults.

Cotton Planting Progress

2011-04-28T06:51:00.001-07:00

Some cotton has been planted in many areas of the state. However, weather extremes have interfered with planting in the past 10 days, too much rainfall in the northern areas and too little in the southern areas. No significant rain fronts have occurred in the Wiregrass (southeastern) area in almost a month.

Cotton planted on April 13 at Prattville, AL, is up to a nice healthy stand with most plants putting out the bud of the first true leaf on April 26.

Cotton Scout School Announced

2011-04-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

Three cotton scouting schools will be held in Alabama in early-mid June. They are as follows:

June 8, 2011: Autauga County Extension Office, Autaugaville, AL.

June 9, 2011: Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, Headland, AL.

June 14, 2011: Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center, Belle Mina, AL.

All sessions will begin at 8:30am and continue until noon. Recertification points will be awarded to those in attendance.

Cotton Insect Management 2011

2011-04-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

Native to Asia

First detected near Athens Georgia in the fall of 2009

Has since spread over much of Georgia, South Carolina and into a few counties in North Carolina and Alabama

Feeds primarily on legumes

Reduced soybean yields by about 20% in 2010 test fields in Georgia

Feeds on stems and leaves

Has high reproductive potential

Can be controlled with pyrethroids and other chemistry

Is a public nuisance problem in fall of the year as they enter homes and buildings to hibernate.

B. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

First discovered in Pennsylvania in late 1990s

Native of Asia

Big problem in specialty crops in mid-Atlantic states (grapes, apples)

Caused 60-90% loss in peaches and apples in 2010

Called Interstate Bug since it spreads by trucks and campers

Has wide host range - feeds on about everything

Have been found in three Alabama counties in late 2010

Has long proboscis so can go through the husk of corn

Pecans may be huge host in the southeast

Causes more damage per bug on soybeans than green or brown stink bug species

Expect to be economic pest of cotton

Will likely have heavy field edge or border damage
Invades homes for hibernation sites in the Fall

3. Redbanded Stink Bug

Native to South America (Brazil)

First found in Louisiana in 2000

Observed on soybeans in Baldwin County, Alabama in July 2010

Is sensitive to winter temperatures below 20 degrees F

Has high reproductive potential

Is primarily a legume feeder

Can cause heavy damage to soybeans

Feeds earlier and more aggressively than other stink bug species

More difficult to kill than Southern green stink bug

This concludes Week Five of Cotton Insect Management 2011. The slide show can also be viewed at http://www.aces.edu/anr/crops/documents/CottonInsectManagement2011RonSmith.pdf

Cotton Insect Management, 2011

2011-03-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Points for Discussion:
1. Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology
2. Evolution of Bt Cotton - Various Genes Involved
How do they compare and what is in the future?
3. Phase Out of Temik
What will be the greatest impact?
4. Stink Bug Research Towards a More Rapid Survey Technique
Factors that influence external vs. internal stink bug boll damage.
5. New Damaging Insects
Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Red-Banded Stink Bug

Phase out of Temik:

“EPA and Bayer CropScience, the manufacturer, have reached an agreement to end use of the pesticide aldicarb in the United States.” EPA release October 2010
Remaining uses: During the phase-out, aldicarb use may continue on cotton and peanuts with use-rate reductions and rural well setbacks.

Registered in 1970
Production ends by December 31st, 2014
Distribution and sales end by December 31st, 2016
Use ends by August 31st, 2018

Impact in cotton production:

early season insects
nematodes
**suppression of spider mites

Update and Comments on Temik Phase-Out:

A two-week temporary restraining order affecting the production of a key intermediate used in the production of Temik brand aldicarb was issued February 10 by a federal judge in West Virginia. This order was issued in response to a lawsuit brought about by 16 residents who reside near the production plant. This restraining order was later extended until March 28. Bottom line is the supply of Temik for the 2011 season will be limited.

The point I wish to focus on today is the long term impact of the loss of Temik in cotton insect management. We all recognized the role Temik played in early season insect control, particularly thrips. However, in recent years we have learned how to better utilize seed treatments, supplemented with foliar sprays as needed.

In addition, growers who continued to utilize Temik were often also benefiting from its nematicideal properties. The loss of Temik will leave a major void in nematode management.

Today, I would like to comment on another benefit of Temik – that being spider mite suppression. In the long haul this may be the most significant loss or impact from the phase out of Temik.

As I have commented to growers in our winter production meetings, there is one advantage of being old and that is you have “seen more history”. In my case I can remember what a major problem spider mites were on cotton in the 1950’s and 60’s. I have seen entire fields in the Tennessee Valley region of Alabama completely defoliated prior to maturity due to spider mite damage. No effective foliar controls were available. Beginning about 1970, when Temik entered the market, spider mites became a relative insignificant pest of cotton for about 30 plus years. Beginning with the movement to seed treatments, mites have become a significant player again. Not in all fields or all years. However, when conditions are conducive, mites can be very economic again. Newer products are now available for foliar control but they do not give extended suppression and most are relatively expensive on a per acre basis. I am not sure that we have anything today that has the mite suppression activity of Temik. Therefore, in the long run, the loss of Temik may leave its greatest impact on mite control. Time will tell.

Cotton Insect Management, 2011

2011-03-03T12:45:00.000-08:00

Points for Discussion:
1. Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology

2. Evolution of Bt Cotton - Various Genes Involved
How do they compare and what is in the future?

3. Phase Out of Temik
What will be the greatest impact?

4. Stink Bug Research Towards a More Rapid Survey Technique
Factors that influence external vs. internal stink bug boll damage.

5. New Damaging Insects
Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Red-Banded Stink Bug


2. Evolution of Bt Cotton - Genes Involved
How do they compare and what is in the future?

1996         Bollgard Cry1Ac
2003         Bollgard II Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab
2005         Widestrike Cry1Ac + Cry1F
In Pipeline

2012? Bayer Twin Link/ Glytol Cry1Ab + Cry2Ae

2012-13? Widestrike Advanced Vip3A + Cry1Ac + Cry1F

2013-14? Bollgard III Vip3A + Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab

Importance of Adding Genes:

1. To provide improved effectiveness across the various caterpillar species. Different genes have strengths on certain species.

2. To manage resistance and preserve the technology.

Have you ever considered the significance if resistance should occur to the Bt gene(s)? We were living on the edge with a single gene.

Cotton Insect Management, 2011

2011-02-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

Points for Discussion in Coming Weeks:

1. Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology

2. Evolution of Bt Cotton - Various Genes Involved. How do they compare and what is in the future?

3. Phase Out of Temik. What will be the greatest impact?

4. Stink Bug Research Towards a More Rapid Survey Technique. Factors that influence external vs. internal stink bug boll damage.

5. New Damaging Insects: Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Red-Banded Stink Bug

Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology
Results from 2010 Season and Conclusions:

Cotton Systems Trial
Wiregrass Research and Extension Center
Headland, AL

Variety/ Technology	Seed Cost	Technology Cost	Weed Control Cost	Foliar Insect Control Cost*	Yield # Seed Cotton/ac	Cost/lb Seed Cotton
CT 210	$10.00	-	$37.50	$16.00	2,813	$0.023
PHY 440W	$21.97	$18.00	$37.50	$16.00	2,789	$0.034
DP 174RF	$23.89	$36.81	$31.00	$16.00	2,916	$0.037
DP 121RF	$23.89	$36.81	$31.00	$16.00	2,724	$0.040
DP 0912B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$31.00	$16.00	3,230	$0.044
PHY 375 WRF	$23.50	$65.00	$31.00	$16.00	3,140	$0.043
ST 5288B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$31.00	$16.00	3,329	$0.043
PHY 485 WRF	$23.50	$65.00	$31.00	$16.00	3,110	$0.044
DP 1034 B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$31.00	$16.00	3,041	$0.047
DP 1048 B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$31.00	$16.00	2,784	$0.051
PHY 565 WRF	$23.50	$65.00	$31.00	$16.00	2,990	$0.045
DP 0949 B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$31.00	$16.00	2,940	$0.048
50B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$31.00	$16.00	2,633	$0.054

Cotton Systems Trial
Prattville Agricultural Research Unit
Prattville, AL

Variety / Technology	Seed Cost	Technology Cost	Weed Control Cost	Foliar Insect Control Cost*	Yield # Seed Cotton/ac	Cost/lb Seed Cotton
DP 491 UT	$10.00	-	$43.60	$8.00	1,710	$0.036
DP 491 Sprayed	$10.00	-	$43.60	$16.00	1,896	$0.037

DP 174R UT	$23.89	$36.81	$32.50	$8.00	2,628	$0.038
DP 174R Sprayed	$23.89	$36.81	$32.50	$16.00	2,761	$0.040

PHY 440W UT	$21.97	$17.99	$43.60	$8.00	2,301	$0.040
PHY 440W Sprayed	$21.97	$17.99	$43.60	$16.00	2,339	$0.043

DP 1050B2RF UT	$24.90	$70.00	$32.50	$8.00	2,587	$0.052
DP 1050B2RF Sprayed	$24.90	$70.00	$32.50	$16.00	2,501	$0.057

ST 5288 B2RF UT	$24.90	$70.00	$32.50	$8.00	2,232	$0.061
ST 5288 B2RF Sprayed	$24.90	$70.00	$32.50	$16.00	2,150	$0.067

PHY 375 WRF UT	$23.50	$65.00	$32.50	$8.00	2,738	$0.047
PHY 375 WRF Sprayed	$23.50	$65.00	$32.50	$16.00	2,503	$0.055

*Includes Application

Cotton Systems Trial
E. V. Smith Research and Extension Center
Shorter, AL

Variety/ Technology	Seed Cost	Technology Cost	Weed Control Cost	Foliar Insect Control Cost*	Yield # Seed Cotton/ac	Cost/lb Seed Cotton
DP 1050B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$43.50	$8.00	1,850	$0.08
DP 174RF	$23.89	$36.81	$43.50	$8.00	1,990	$0.06
PHY 440W	$28.22	$21.11	$43.50	$8.00	2,067	$0.05
DP 491	$10.00	−	$43.50	$8.00	1,854	$0.07

*Includes Application

<> Cotton Systems TrialGulf Coast Research and Extension CenterFairhope, AL

Variety/ Technology	Seed Cost	Technology Cost	Weed Control Cost	Foliar Insect Control Cost*	Yield # Seed Cotton/ac	Cost/lb Seed Cotton
ST 5288B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$12.00	$18.00	1,922	$0.06
DP 1050B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$12.00	$18.00	2,122	$0.06
DP 0949B2RF	$24.90	$70.00	$12.00	$18.00	2,280	$0.05
PHY 565 WRF	$23.50	$65.00	$12.00	$18.00	2,167	$0.06
DP 174 RF	$23.89	$36.81	$12.00	$61.00	1,963	$0.07
PHY 440 W	$21.97	$17.99	$21.00	$61.00	2,018	$0.04
CT 210	$20.00	−	$21.00	$61.00	2,155	$0.05
*Includes Application

Based on the results of these trials, this investigator would conclude that conventional cotton can be grown in Alabama.

However, the economics would vary greatly depending on the weather, severity of the insect season and location.

Furthermore, it would require much expertise in monitoring insect populations and selection of the appropriate chemistry for the target insect species present.

Bottom Line: 2011 may not be the season to cut input costs -- but instead to focus on maximizing yield.

Cotton Market Update - Bob Goodman

2010-12-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

As I write this last Cotton Economics Update of my career, the Dec 2011 contract is just a tick below 97 cents. Prices for all our commodities are just amazing, and seem to be supported by the fundamentals. However, the only USDA statistic I wish to comment on is the projected 1.9 million bale domestic ending stocks for the 2010-2011 crop. As you know, that number is a record, at least since 1965, and anything older than that doesn’t matter. Last years number was 2.9 and there have never been two consecutive years with less than 3 million bales of carryover. The US cotton fundamentals are in uncharted territory, but on the plus side for once. Having spent most of my career with cotton around 50 cents, this is wonderful. If I had known this was going to happen, I might have stuck around another year. Remember, in 2001 the season average price for cotton received by farmers was 32 cents.

In my last column I parroted the advice of other market commentators who advised farmers to lock in some prices on next year’s product as well as the inputs especially fertilizer and fuel. I just want to add here a comment about a conversation we had here at Auburn, sitting around at coffee break with Ron Smith, Dale Monks, Dennis Delaney, Austin Hagan, and all the crops gang. As you can imagine, we could only squeeze in a few minutes to talk about the crop between sessions on Cam Newton and the coming championship bowl game. But I think two thoughts the specialists had regarding the coming year bear repeating here.

First, obviously prices are good. It will take less cotton to pay for a crop protection product than ever before. The rewards for good crop management have never been higher. Mistakes have never been costlier. You should plan carefully and pay close attention to detail. Just as an example, and not to pick on anyone, but John Fulton, an Agricultural Engineer here, just showed me some data from a cotton conservation tillage / plant population experiment. It was a good idea for an experiment, but the final plant populations were so far from the intended target that the results were perhaps less useful than they might have otherwise been. All I’m saying is that it’s easy to mess up, and some things can’t be fixed. Put yourself in a position to make top yields. Cover the basics; fertility, variety, timeliness, pest control.

Second, there will be opportunities to waste money on this crop. This is never a good idea. I will go out on a limb here in my last column and say that my personal recommendation is that you should not even consider any product without an extensive research pedigree from your own State Land Grant University. If you choose to buy and apply such products, I would offer you the same assessment that Dale Monks commonly offers in these situations: “It doesn’t cost much and it probably won’t hurt your crop”.

Bob Goodman, Retired Cotton Economist, Formerly Auburn University, with thanks for all the help and friendship. I don’t know what I’m going to do next, but I hope to try something where people are glad to see me when I show up. Thus, it will probably not involve agricultural economics.

Cotton Insect and Crop Report - Alabama 2010

2010-12-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

Cotton was planted on 345,000 acres in 2010, an increase of about 25% over the previous year. Over 96% of the acreage contained the RoundUp gene and approximately 90% contain genes for lep control. Due to the phase out of DP555, market share was gained by Phytogen, Fibermax and Stoneville varieties.

Early season insect pressure (thrips, aphids, cutworms, grasshoppers and plant bugs) was below historical levels for the second year in a row and very limited foliar applications were necessary. More than 80% of the acres were planted with insecticide treated seed, with the remainder planted with Temik in-furrow. Midseason pests included bollworms, at below normal numbers, which dictated fewer oversprays over the varieties with stacked lep genes. Very few lep sprays were made statewide, even in fields planted to conventional varieties. 2010 was one of the lowest pressure years in history for all lep species.

Stink bugs were by far the most economic of all cotton insects. Two to four foliar sprays were needed over most of the state to hold damage below threshold level. The dominant species in 2010 was the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus. The stink bug complex remains a complex issue to many growers and fieldmen, especially as it relates to scouting techniques and thresholds.

Weather during the production season was good until about July 15-20 at which time rainfall ceased and temperatures increased to 96-102° F (days) and 78-82° F (nights) for the following two months. This combination of heat and drought took its’ toll on yields since only about 10% of the state acreage is irrigated. Therefore, an 800-1000 lb potential yield deteriorated to about 500 lbs. Certain fields in several regions of the state yielded as low as 200-250 lbs of lint/acre.

Research continued in 2010 with the newer chemistries against the bug complex, sucking pests, and leps. Also, the newer genetic technologies were also evaluated both, agronomically and entomologically, within the state.

Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug Found in Alabama

2010-11-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

You may now add a second county to our Plataspid bug finds in Alabama. I captured a single specimen while sweeping kudzu in Cherokee County, Alabama, on Monday November 2nd. The location was on US Highway 278 about 4 miles from the Georgia state line. This site by air is just a few miles north of Dr. Charles Ray's finding on October 23rd in north Cleburne County.

In my last blog on 10/27 I stated that no damage to soybeans was observed from 2010 infestations. However, based on information from Dr. Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, yield losses may have occurred. Additional information will be available in the following months. Stay Tuned.

Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug in Alabama

2010-10-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Surveys of kudzu were conducted in Lee, Chambers, Randolph, Cleburne and Cherokee counties on October 26, 2010, and no kudzu bugs were observed. These particular counties were selected for surveys since they are adjacent to Georgia counties where the bug has been reported.

However, when I arrived back in my office on October 27, 2010, I had an email from Dr. Charles Ray, Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Lab, reporting a single find, an adult plataspid (collected Oct. 23) on kudzu in northern Cleburne county. To our knowledge this is the first find in Alabama.

This insect, a native to Asia, was first reported in October 2009 in nine northeast Georgia counties near Athens, Georgia. Since that time they have spread to more than 60 north and central Georgia counties as well as most South Carolina counties and a couple in North Carolina.

The adults are 4-6 mm long, oblong, olive-green colored, and produce a mildly offensive odor when disturbed. In the fall this bug attempts to overwinter in houses, churches and other structures. Therefore, they become a nuisance pest as they congregate on walls and windows of buildings.

During the spring and summer they feed on kudzu and were observed in heavy numbers on soybeans in 2010. They are known to feed on legumes in general. No damage was observed or measured on soybeans. Dr. Phillip Roberts conducted several control trials and found that a number of our row crop insecticides gave good control.

Cotton Insect Loss Estimates Made

2010-09-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

2010 was one of the lightest insect years on record. Loss estimates range from a total of 5.2% of yield in central and south Alabama to 3.6% in the Tennessee Valley region. Most of these losses were attributed to one insect (pest) in each region. For the southern region it was the stink bug, predominately the brown species (3.5%), and for the north it was spider mites (2.3%). Other insects that caused measurable losses were the bollworm (lowest in 38 years), plant bug, and thrips.

Soybeans

2010-09-28T11:34:00.002-07:00

Older beans mature and shedding leaves. Younger (wheat) beans filled pods rapidly during the past 2 weeks.

Cotton

2010-09-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

Harvest continued at a rapid pace during weeks of 9/12 to 9/18 and 9/19 to 9/25. Many fields are falling into the range of 500 lbs +/- 100 lbs lint.

Weather

2010-09-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Continued hot with 90°+ days and 70°F nights through 9/25. The first significant rainfall in weeks occurred on 9/26. Rainfall was not uniform but varied from 0.1 inch up to 4.0 inches.

Soybeans

2010-09-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

- Looper populations seemed to have peaked out. In most instances defoliation was between 5 and 20% where no controls were applied. Therefore, populations were below threshold level in most fields.

- Velvetbean caterpillars were found at damaging levels in one field of late maturing beans (R-4/5) in Baldwin county on September 12th. Velvetbean caterpillars are much more economic to control than loopers since pyrethroids do a nice job on VBC.

Weather

2010-09-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Conditions remain extremely hot (95-97°F) and dry (no rainfall in past 30 days in some counties). Some of these areas only have had two measurable rain events since May.

Cotton

2010-09-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

Harvesting is picking up speed, especially in the more droughty areas of the state. More fields are turning brown as each day passes. These early harvested fields are producing some low yields. The plants were “knee” high or less and the bolls were small. In fact, small bolls have been noted statewide. Likely due to the environmental conditions they were produced under.

Weather

2010-09-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

After a couple of cool nights, we are back about 90°F each day and over 70°F at night. No rainfall has occurred in a couple of weeks, which lends itself to a “fall” type of drought.

Soybeans

2010-09-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Loopers are the dominant soybean insect, up to 30% defoliation and damaging levels in some fields. A few velvetbean caterpillar and green cloverworms are in the mix. The “grass” strain of the fall armyworm does not appear to feed to a significant degree on soybeans. And, stink bug populations are not as high as anticipated.

Red banded stink bugs were discovered on the Wiregrass Research Farm, Headland, AL (Henry Co.) this week. Since they were found about 180 miles west of Headland last month, they likely may be present in other locations across south Alabama.

Interesting Observation of Stink Bugs

2010-09-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

Friends of mine were fishing about 80 miles out in the Gulf over Labor Day weekend and observed hundreds of stink bugs in the water and on their boat. These stink bugs apparently rode a weather front that far out into the Gulf.

Cotton

2010-09-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

- A few late maturing fields are still being scouted for insects, primarily brown stink bugs and soybean loopers.
- Defoliation is proceeding on more fields each day and week.
- Harvesting has begun in a few locations. I observed a picker running about 8:00pm yesterday (9/2) in southeast Dallas county.
- Yield potential is all over the board (250 lbs- 1600 lbs/ac.)

Soybeans

2010-09-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Economic levels of soybean loopers, fall armyworms (FAW) and velvetbean caterpillars (VBC) are as far north as Marion Junction in Dallas county and FAWs are occurring near Prattville in Autauga county. Soybean loopers, usually a southern latitude insect are occurring at all points within the state. Both VBC and FAW can be controlled with less expensive chemistry than can the loopers.

Pasture/Hay

2010-09-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Fall armyworm populations are “hit and miss” at damaging numbers all over the state. Some fields have been hit twice within 2 weeks.

Soybean Loopers Occurring over the Southeast

2010-08-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Soybean loopers are the dominant caterpillar species occurring over a multi state area of the southeastern United States. Several states, including Arkansas, Georgia and the Carolinas are all experiencing looper outbreaks. I observed my first soybean field with treatable levels of loopers in Baldwin county on 8/26. Based on what is happening over a large area, Alabama growers need to be very alert for looper outbreaks.

Soybean loopers may occur at damaging levels in soybeans, peanuts, or late maturing cotton fields. Looper eggs are deposited on the underside of leaves in the lower part of the crop canopy. The tiny, hair like, early instar larvae can go undetected for several days. As they mature they move up the plant canopy with their defoliation. Therefore, the foliage loss is often unnoticeable for a week or more. A high percent of the total foliage consumed is during the last 3-4 days of the larval cycle. I have always considered somewhere between 5 and 8 larvae per row foot as an economic level. The amount of canopy available in a crop like soybeans would have some bearing on the economic threshold. I will have to depend on my entomology friends to set a sweep net threshold for drill soybeans. I’ll be checking around for that threshold since late planted drill beans behind wheat may be at the greatest risk.

Insecticides that work well on soybean looper are: Steward, Intrepid, Tracer, and recently labeled Belt. Both Diamond and Dimilin (Insect Growth Regulators) also give adequate to good suppression. Products like pyrethroids, Lannate, Larvin, Sevin, Lorsban and methyl parathion do not give measurable control of soybean loopers in Alabama.

Cotton

2010-08-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

Many fields are beginning to open and the plants have few developing bolls near the terminal. Therefore, insects are of little concern. The extreme heat coupled with drought a few weeks back took care of our top crop. Late maturing fields that caught a scattered thunderstorm should be watched for stink bugs until the last bolls we expect to harvest are 20-25 days old. Several growers have expressed concern about the number of hard locked lower bolls due to boll rot. What began as a promising cotton crop has turned into a below average yield potential for the state as a whole. The southwestern region of the state had the best rainfall pattern and will likely have the best yields.

Soybeans

2010-08-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

A sub-threshold level of several caterpillar species can be found in most fields statewide. These include green cloverworms, soybean loopers, podworms, fall armyworms, and in the southern areas of the state, velvetbean caterpillars.

If the fall armyworms should occur at treatable levels, growers need to know that they are likely the “grass” strain which can be controlled rather economically with pyrethroids, Intrepid or Dimilin.

Stink bugs, especially the brown species, are at treatable levels in some bean fields. Growers should remember that stink bugs affect the quality of beans more so than the yield. Where brown stink bugs are the primary target, I would suggest a high rate of one of the labeled pyrethroids. These include: Baythroid XL, Brigade (Discipline), Prolex, Karate Z, or Mustang Max. Several of these have multiple generic brand names.

Peanuts

2010-08-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Many of the same caterpillar species found in soybeans are also at sub-economic levels in peanuts. The one exception is fall armyworm. Another “flush”, about 20-30 small larvae per row foot, was found in peanuts near Shorter, AL (Macon county) yesterday (August 24). These armyworms do not always occur in all fields on a given farm. The same products – pyrethroids, Intrepid and Dimilin also provide good control of fall armyworms in peanuts. The quickest kill will come from pyrethroids while the longest residual will come from Intrepid and Dimilin.

Recent Field Tours

2010-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

More than 100 growers, ag suppliers and related agencies were in attendance at a recent Field Day. The 34th annual East Central Tour was held on August 13th. This tour began 34 years ago primarily to view the “magic” cotton insect control obtained with Ambush, Pounce and Pydrin pyrethroids. They provided better control than anything that generation of growers had ever observed.
The annual Wiregrass Research Farm field day was held on August 20th. The latest research results on peanuts, cotton, corn and soybeans were presented.

Twin Link Field Day

2010-08-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to participate in the Bayer Twin Link dual-Bt technology field tour near Blackville, SC, on August 23rd. Research on this technology was observed on the Clemson Edisto Research and Education Center and on the Carolina Ag Research farm (Dr. Mike McCarty). Both locations have had some of the highest bollworm pressure I have ever observed. Untreated conventional cotton had 100% boll damage and some foliage loss to bollworms. The Bayer Twin Link Bt technology did not give perfect control under this level of pressure but showed impressive results.

Insect Blog 8-16-10

2010-08-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Weather- Temperatures remain high 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit and rainfall extremely scattered statewide, as of today (8/16). Hay, pastures, peanuts and soybeans in many areas would profit greatly from rainfall. Most cotton fields are beyond benefit from water.
Fall Armyworms- Populations continue in hay, pastures and peanuts. However, in many south Alabama locations the previous generation has cycled out. Another generation may be possible 2-3 weeks ahead.
Tobacco Budworms- An extremely heavy moth flight and egg lay was observed on cotton in Seminole County, GA on 8/11. Only late planted conventional cotton will be at risk from this pest. However, it might be noted that budworms are now infesting soybeans in sizable numbers in some southern locations.
Podworms/Soybeans- Soybean growers should be very alert for corn earworm infestations on beans that are anywhere from R1-R7 (blooming to filled pods that are still green).
Bean Leaf Beetles/Soybeans- Several Tennessee Valley fields have subeconomic levels of bean leaf beetles in soybeans.
Lesser Corn Stalk Borer/Peanuts- Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension peanut entomologist, has issued a high alert for LCSB in peanuts based on a sharp increase in moth numbers captured in traps. Counties in extreme southeastern Alabama are also very hot and dry, which is ideal weather for LCSB outbreaks.
New Registration (Belt)- Belt insecticide, marketed by Bayer, received registration on soybeans on 8/12. The label rate is 2-3 oz per acre. Belt has activity on most all caterpillar pests and is at its best on foliage feeders.

Fall Armyworms

2010-08-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

The most significant agricultural insect event of the past week has been the explosion of fall armyworms (grass strain) across Southern Alabama. They were reported from the Mobile county area of the west and personally observed in the Elba-Kinston area (Coffee County) on Friday (8/7) and the Eufaula area (Barbour County) in the east on Saturday (8/8). This outbreak can be found on pastures, hay fields, lawns, athletic fields and peanuts. Numbers observed range from 5 to more than 20 per square foot in grasses or per row foot in peanuts. Some of the most commonly used controls include Intrepid, Dimilin, pyrethroids, Traces and Steward.

Other then stink bugs, no significant insect numbers were observed or reported in cotton last week. Soybeans continue to be infested with grasshoppers and three cornered alfalfa hoppers as reported by Dr. Tim Reed. Low levels of stink bugs, loopers, green cloverworms and bean leaf beetles are being observed. No widespread outbreak of podworms (corn ear worms) have been reported

Soybean Insect Update-Tim Reed

2010-08-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

SOYBEAN INSECT UPDATE : GRASSHOPPERS AND THREE-CORNERED ALFALFA
HOPPERS IN SOYBEANS, TOBACCO BUDWORMS IN MISSISSIPPI SOYBEANS

Tim Reed, Extension Entomologist

August 5, 2010

During the first week of August I inspected soybean fields in Tuscaloosa county that had significant numbers of both grasshoppers and three-cornered alfalfa hoppers (3CAH). Grasshoppers feed primarily on the foliage but they can also feed on pods. No noticeable pod feeding was found on the plants the farmer and I inspected. 3CAH feed around the stem of young plants, girdling the stem near the soil surface. Young seedling plants may lodge from the girdling. When bean pods are set, maturing plants may break over from early seedling damage. Both adult and nymph 3CAH’s will also feed on the petioles of leaves, blooms, and pods. Pod petiole feeding will cause pods to drop to the ground, reducing yield. Soybean plants are most susceptible to main stem girdling when plants are 10 inches or less in height. Once the plant is taller than 10 inches, the main stem is not the preferred feeding site, but the leaf, bloom, and pod petioles may be fed upon. It should be noted that often plants that have been girdled and do not lodge will produce normal yields. The literature reports that 3CAH feeding on leaf petioles and pod stems interferes with photosynthesis and the flow of nutrients to developing seed. Sweep net sampling indicated populations of both insect pests were as high as 3 per sweep. The treatment threshold for grasshoppers once soybeans are in the bloom to pod –fill stage is when plants have 20% defoliation . The pod feeding threshold for grasshoppers in Mississippi is to treat when 50% of plants have one or more pods fed on by grasshoppers. The treatment threshold for 3CAH is one per sweep when plants are more than 10 inches tall.
Treatment decisions for the Tuscaloosa county fields were complicated by the fact that high temperatures had resulted in a significantly reduced pod set to date, even in an irrigated field. (More information about the effects of high temperatures on soybean pod set can be found in the Mississippi Crop Situation Newsletter for July 16, 2010 at http://msucares.com/newsletters/pests/cis/2010/mcs15-10.pdf. After consulting with Dr. Ron Smith the farmer decided to treat the soybeans with the maximum labeled rate of a pyrethroid since many of the grasshoppers were immature and will be much easier to kill now than when they become adults. I had one soybean farmer tell me that one year he could not kill the grasshoppers in one of his northeast Alabama soybean fields and they ruined the crop. The goal of this treatment decision was to hopefully reduce the grasshopper numbers sufficiently to avoid a potential yield loss later and to significantly reduce the numbers of 3CAH’s. Inspection of more soybean fields in Marengo county revealed that a high level of plants (in a field with a 40% stand of soybeans) had sustained a high percentage of girdling when the plants were small. Sweep net sampling broke over many of these girdled plants. The 3CAH population in this field was less than one per sweep and I recommended that the grower wait another week and check the field again before making an insecticide application. The farmers in both Tuscaloosa and Marengo county were reminded that once they treated their soybeans and eliminated the beneficial insect/spider species they faced a greater risk of incurring damaging populations of “worms”.

Mississippi State Extension Entomologist Angus Catchot recently reported that over the last several weeks Mississippi Extension workers have had numerous reports of tobacco budworm moths being flushed in soybeans in the delta region of the state. Ryan Jackson and Clint Allen with USDA-ARS in Stoneville have been collecting populations of bollworms missed with pyrethroids in soybeans. Three populations collected the week of July 25th in the delta behind a pyrethroid application turned out to be 7%, 28%, and 60% tobacco budworms. Tobacco budworms are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides in MS (and in Alabama). Angus stated that although, in some areas of the state budworm numbers may be high in soybeans, most populations are low compared to the bollworm numbers. If high numbers of larvae are left behind a pyrethroid application it is recommended to get a positive ID on the larvae before retreating the field. Two characteristics that can be used to distinguish tobacco budworm larvae from cotton bollworm larvae are depicted in the July 30 Mississippi Crop Situation newsletter which can be viewed at (http://msucares.com/newsletters/pests/cis/2010/mcs17-10.pdf) Some Mississippi farmers have chosen to let remaining worms cycle given the cost of treatment for tobacco budworm. Cotton bollworm (i.e. pod worm) populations have thus far been much lower than normal in Alabama soybeans.

Effect of Heat and Drought on Cotton Crops

2010-08-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

8/2/10
Last week's heat and drought was devastating to a high percent of our cotton crop in Alabama. Fields that had good moisture up until July 23 were shedding everything from stress by July 30. In my opinion this stress has cut about 4 weeks off of our cotton production season. Within a few more days the only fruit remaining on the plants will be bolls that are more than 20 days old. Plant bugs, bollworms, and budworms are likely a thing of the past for the 2010 cotton season. Even stink bugs will shortly find that the remaining fruit is too hard to penetrate internally. Growers may wish to watch the swag or greener areas of their fields. Insects may congregate in the lush areas for a while longer. We have plenty of time to recover and set more fruit but scattered thunderstorms will not provide the moisture to turn the cotton around.

Statewide Cotton Insect situation

2010-07-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

We have reached the point in the season that it is difficult to generalize about the cotton insect situation statewide. Some fields have been sprayed while some have not. Some of those sprayed have received a pyrethroid while others have received a phosphate such as Bidrin for bugs only. Scouts are reporting that behind pyrethroid sprays they are finding escape worms in some fields and escape bugs (both plant bugs and brown stink bugs) in others. More escape worms are being reported in DP555 (sirge gene) then the Bollgard II varieties. As each day passes more field people are reporting Fall armyworms in blooms. It is suspected that the extreme heat has reduced the effectiveness of the pyrethroid chemistry. This happened in the early 1980's, with the earlier generation pyrethroids, when the temperatures approached 100° F.

My suggestion would be to target the insect that is potentially the most damaging. If the problem is escape bollworms I would continue to select a pyrethroid. Use a high labeled rate, add some crop oil to the spray mix, and add a phosphate if high levels of bugs are present. If the problem is primarily bugs, then just go with a phosphate such as Bidrin at 1 gallon to 21-24 acres. If Fall armyworms are in the mix the pyrethroids will not give acceptable suppression. Under this condition, I would go with Diamond (9 oz) Steward (11 oz), Belt (3 oz) or Tracer (2.5 oz).

Soybeans- A few green cloverworms and soybean loofers can be found in many fields at non damaging levels. The greatest insect threat statewide is likely stink bugs. The stink bug population has been primarily brown's up to this point. However, yesterday at the Gulf Coast Research Station, the southern green stink bugs were out numbering the browns. Also, at this site the recently discovered red banded stink bug was present and had done heavy damage to beans at the R-5/6 pod filling stage.

Stink bugs and plant bugs

2010-07-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

Cotton- A heavy bollworm moth flight has been ongoing this week (July 19-23) in the Florida Panhandle and areas of south Alabama. Small larvae have been observed in white blooms as far north as Montgomery. Many of the eggs are being deposited on large squares and three days later the small larvae are moving immediately into white blooms.

A low number of Fall armyworms are now being reported in cotton in central and south Alabama.

Both stink bugs and plant bugs (both adults and immature) (tarnished and clouded) are in most of all central and south Alabama fields that have not been sprayed since the first of July. A good clean-up spray is needed in most fields and probably should have been made 7-10 days ago.

The drought and heat has taken its toll on cotton that escaped scattered thunderstorms.

Red Banded Stink Bug in Alabama Feeding on Soybeans

2010-07-16T07:36:00.001-07:00

Another significant insect event this week was the discovery of the red banded stink bug (Piezodorus sp.) feeding on soybeans in Baldwin County. This species had previously been reported from most other southern states, except Alabama. They have been reported to be very damaging to soybeans in Louisiana and other mid-south states. This species has the ability to be more damaging to beans than the other more common stink bugs (brown and Southern green). Most reports indicate the red banded may be more difficult to control with insecticides. All entomologists agree that populations can rebound greatly within 7-12 days after a spray.

Stink bugs, tarnished plant bugs and "worms" in cotton

2010-07-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

My cotton insect observations this week were as follows: many fields have a number of immature (late instar, soon to be adult) tarnished plant bugs. This stage of immature, along with the adult stage, is what will be giving us our “dirty” blooms in the days ahead. Mixed in with these immature TPBs are a few fleahoppers (both immature and adults) and a few immature clouded plant bugs. Many fields would profit from a plant bug complex “clean-up” spray if it has not already been done during the past two weeks.

Aphids have built rapidly during the past week in a number of fields. Where cotton is currently under drought stress, the presence of aphids and honeydew on all plants might influence the choice of chemistry for this bug clean-up spray.

Several fields of April planted cotton in southeast Alabama had treatable levels of “worms” this week. These worms were likely already about a week old on July 15, which means the eggs were deposited around July 5. This was during the period when most moths observed were tobacco budworms. Appropriate chemistry would be needed if targeting these worms. By next week (July 19-26) the eggs deposited will likely be bollworms and pyrethroids would be the most economical chemistry.

Even though the percent internal boll damage may not have increased in recent days, the brown stink bug problem has not gone away. My thought as to why the percent damage hasn’t gone up is due the fact that peak boll production is close in cotton planted in late April. Let me explain. A week or two ago we had about one boll per row foot about 10-12 days old (the size stink bugs prefer). Some of our stink bug damage levels at that time were running 20% or more. At one per foot this would be about 14000 bolls per acre x 20% or 2800 per acre with internal damage. At present these same fields have up to 3 or more 10-12 day old bolls per row foot. This would mean that 42000 bolls per acre are at risk, but the stink bug population hasn’t increased greatly at this point. The percent internal stink bug damaged bolls has gone down in many fields but that doesn’t mean we are not taking economic damage. Ten percent damage to 42000 bolls per acre is 4200 bolls. Percentages can be misleading. The damage we are incurring is a function of two things – the number of bugs present and the number of bolls at risk. In the old days this situation existed with the number of squares and the number of boll weevils. The damage percent would go down prior to increasing rapidly.

Not only will we wake up one day a couple of weeks down the road with more internal stink bug damage than we thought, but also with a sharp increase in the percent damage. This will be a function of more stink bugs present by then, but also a reduction in the number of bolls per acre that are in the desired feeding size. Borrowing a line from one of our recent politicians “this makes sense to me – does it to you”?

Redbanded stink bugs

2010-07-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, I surveyed some soybeans at our Gulf Coast Research Station at Fairhope, and I’m 99% sure that I found red banded stink bugs there. These beans were at about 30% podfill. I was finding about 1 adult and 2 immatures per 6 row feet. If it is the red banded, that’s the first time the insect has been found in Alabama. It’s probably been in south Alabama, but maybe we just haven’t been looking for it enough.

Aphids and bug complex building, fall armyworms in second generation in pastures, fleahoppers appear

2010-07-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

We’re getting more reports of aphids building in cotton. They’ve been slow to increase but still have reached treatable levels in some fields. While we were doing our beat sheets last week, I noticed in some of the older cotton that immature brown stink bugs were turning up where we had adult brown stink bugs earlier. So, they’ve been in there long enough now to turn over a generation. Most of the plant bug population right now are in immature forms coming off of the June adults. Fields that were sprayed for bugs appear to be pretty clean, but others have populations now that are at or will shortly be at damaging levels, so we’re really close to making applications to clean up the bug complex on everything.

We’re still not seeing signs of the huge tobacco budworm flight that was underway in southwest Georgia 2 weeks ago. It’s amazing how fast budworm activity drops off as you travel 2 counties west into Alabama. We have a long history of similar patterns – heavy pressure in south Georgia but hardly anything in southeast Alabama. We’re into the second generation of fall armyworms, the grass strain, in coastal Bermuda and other hay fields in southeast Alabama.

The garden fleahopper has been causing damage in a 25-acre cotton field in Mobile County. This is the first time I’ve seen the pest in cotton in the 39 years I’ve been working the crop and didn’t know for sure what the insect was when a consultant emailed me samples of the pest and damage. But Mississippi State University recently released an excellent color insect guide for cotton, and the garden fleahopper was included in it, which allowed me to ID the insect. Evidently, it’s been enough of a pest at some point in Mississippi cotton that it made the book.

I have a feeling we’ll see a lot of brown stink bugs in soybeans when they start setting pods. They’re certainly nearby, although probably not in soybeans to any degree yet. Stink bugs are smart enough that they won’t hang around too long in a crop that doesn’t provide a food source. Typically, they’ll leave corn within a week of when it starts drying down and, as if on cue, they’ll shift into soybeans when they start setting pods. We’re following a population of them right now at our Gulf Coast research station.

Insect Complex Developing

2010-07-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Several fields were surveyed yesterday (7/6/2010) in central Alabama. My findings were as follows: aphids continue to be low to non-detectable in many fields; drop cloth samples yielded early instar immature plant bugs, and an occasional fleahopper, frequent adult clouded plant bugs, and adult brown stink bugs. All of these were at non-treatable levels at the present. However, as each day and each week passes the bug complex will become more abundant and damaging to the point that the entire complex will require controls. I would key on damage to the thumb sized bolls (until quarter diameter bolls are present) for stink bug decision and to a combination of dirty blooms and the number of immature plant bugs per row foot for that species.

I would advise field surveyors to begin switching from a sweep net to the drop cloth as cotton begins to bloom. The majority of the plant bug population for the next couple of weeks will be immatures that have hatched from eggs deposited by migrating adults during the month of June.

The large tobacco budworm flight has not reached southeast Alabama yet. I will be in southeastern Alabama tomorrow and will observe for moths, eggs, and small larvae at that time.

Calls received this week have centered on what to use for a complex of aphids, plant bugs and brown stink bugs. No one chemical would be the top choice for this complex. A pre-mix or a tank mix of two chemical classes would likely give the most effective control of this complex.

Tobacco Budworm Moth Flight

2010-07-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Another significant insect event is now occurring in extreme southwestern Georgia. Consultants yesterday were reporting a very heavy tobacco budworm moth flight with eggs on most every plant. This event means nothing to growers who have planted Bollgard or WideStrike varieties. However, to those with fields planted to conventional varieties, it is a different predicament. On the one hand they have adult stink bugs and hatching immature plant bugs, while on the other they need beneficials to be present during this upcoming budworm flight. This budworm moth activity will likely extend across southern counties of Alabama during the next 10 days, and may even reach the central Alabama area. Tobacco plants, grown as a sentinel crop in Prattville, AL had budworms from the previous generation of budworms. The budworm egg lay on tobacco at Headland, (southeast Alabama) continued from Memorial Day in May until about June 20. It will be difficult to advise growers with conventional cotton during the first weeks of July. They just need to realize that most worms will be budworm species and pyrethroids will not give worm control during this window of the season.

Brown Stink Bugs

2010-07-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Adult brown stink bugs continue to be observed in many fields. They have been present for about a month but could not do much damage until about the second week of bloom when small thumb sized bolls were present. I observed fields of late April planted cotton in southeastern Alabama (2-3 weeks of bloom) yesterday that had up to 40% boll damage from brown stink bugs. When stink bugs are present prior to bloom, bolls smaller than quarter diameter should be sampled as soon as they are available.

Plant Bugs

2010-07-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

A few fields have received controls for adult tarnished plant bugs during the past week. However, it appears that most of the June migratory adults have died off and we should shift our focus to their immature offspring in the next 2 to 3 weeks. Unlike the Mid-South, our movement of plant bugs comes primarily from wild host plants around field borders during a one to three week period in June. Thereafter, we only have to control their offspring within fields. This period can extend for several weeks since the June migratory adults deposited eggs over a multi week period. Surveyors should now shift from the sweep net to a drop cloth as they focus on the July immature population in blooming cotton.

Hoping for Rain

2010-06-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

I will be in the southeastern Alabama region Tuesday and Wednesday this week (June 29 and 30) and will report insect observations later in the week. Widespread thunderstorms are moving across southwestern Alabama today (June 28). Several dry areas still exist in the state. Hopefully rainfall will occur in those areas this week.

Tarnished Plant Bugs and Brown Stink Bugs

2010-06-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

A few more fields have popped up with high numbers of adult tarnished plant bugs this week. These are fields that had low numbers in previous weeks. Even though the percent square retention is still above 80% now, controls are being applied to some of these fields to prevent the likely drop in retention next week. Another benefit of early controls would be to reduce the size of the infield population of immatures during the first half of July. Not only are these adults feeding on pinhead squares, they are also depositing eggs that will be hatching into TPB nymphs in a few weeks.

Brown stink bugs continue to be observed and reported from most cotton fields statewide. These adults will begin feeding on small thumb sized bolls as soon as the dried bloom drops off. In situations like this, we can have damaging economic levels of stink bugs prior to the third week of bloom. Two to three adult brown stink bugs per 20 sweeps (about 60 row feet) were captured in fields at the Wiregrass Research Center, Headland, AL this week. Remember that the life cycle of an adult stink bug may be as long as 30-35 days.

Spider mites, tarnished plant bugs, tobacco budworms, stink bugs, and yellow striped armyworms observed

2010-06-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Cotton 6/21/2010 - Spider mites were reported infesting select fields in Talladega county today. This is the second call I have had concerning mites on cotton in the past week. This problem could spread in coming weeks with the hot weather. Thunderstorms rumbled through parts of the state on Saturday. But, some areas remain dry with intense heat.

I have received no new reports of tarnished plant bug (TPB) activity. Hopefully, this heavy migration from wild hosts will be of short duration. Fields that were treated for TPBs in southwest Alabama are clean this week with high square retention. Unsprayed fields have some level of plant bugs left but they do not appear to be causing greater than 20% square loss.

Today, I collected early instar tobacco budworm larvae from tobacco at the Gulf Coast Research Center. Tobacco is being used as a sentinel crop at three sites to monitor budworm activity (Prattville, Fairhope, and Headland, AL). Based on observations, it appears that some level of budworm egg lay has been going on for two or more weeks. Growers with conventional cotton should be very selective in spraying for any other insect during this budworm flight. Keep beneficials in conventional cotton as long as possible. Hopefully, up to July 15 in central Alabama and July 20 in central Alabama.

One insect that may make it difficult to leave uncontrolled after the first week of bloom is the stink bug. Numerous brown stink bugs (BSB) can be found in many fields at present. They will not damage pre-bloom cotton but as soon as the bloom drops they will attack the thumb sized boll causing abortion from the plant. I am seeing a level of BSBs that will require controls in many fields by the second week of bloom. It does not appear that these BSB are moving to corn or other hosts, but instead are just waiting for the first small bolls. In fact, when those in corn begin looking for a new home, we likely will have many move into cotton.

Yellow striped armyworms, in low numbers, were observed in numerous BGII fields in Monroe county today.

On other crops - tobacco budworms, fall armyworms and yellow striped armyworms were reported feeding as foliage feeders on peanuts in Monroe county (southwest AL) today. Numbers were low (one per 4-5 row feet) in many fields but a few fields had numbers approaching concern and will be watched closely during the next 7-10 days. The average peanut field has about six inches of foliage at this time.

Tobacco Budworms on peanut foliage and Fall Armyworms in pastures

2010-06-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

On 6/15/2010 tobacco budworms were reported to be feeding on foliage of peanuts in several locations across southern Alabama. A similar situation occurred in 2008 which required controls to prevent complete defoliation. Also on 6/15 Fall Armyworms (likely the grass strain) were reported in high numbers on hay fields in south Alabama. Controls were being applied.

High numbers of adult tarnished plant bugs continue to occur in many, but not all, cotton fields in central and southern Alabama. Controls may be warranted if pinhead square retention drops below 80% in Bollgard and WideStrike varieties. It would not be wise to treat conventional cotton for plant bugs during this tobacco budworm flight.