Hello! My name is Jadin and this is my third summer here in the IPM lab on the Beaverlodge Research Farm. I moved to Beaverlodge in 2007 when my parents bought Anna’s Pizza, a family restaurant located in town. I just finished my third year at the University of Alberta where I am studying a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Nutrition – I have found quite an interest in biochemistry, specifically bioenergetics metabolism and how it relates to nutritional deficiencies! In the fall, I will be entering the final year of my degree and I hope to continue on to an After Degree Registered Nursing program at the U of A.
 |
| Figure 1. Setting up diamondback moth trap in producer-cooperator field. |
It has been a busy week (as usual) in the IPM lab as we get the sites set up for Prairie Pest Monitoring and we’re all training our four new and eager summer students: Hannah, Celine, Emily and Laura! So far we have seven sites in the Beaverlodge area, a site near Valleyview and two sites in the BC Peace. These producer-cooperator sites are important; we are already monitoring Flea Beetles, Diamondback Moth and Pea Leaf Weevil – later on in the season we will be adding Bertha Armyworm and Wheat Midge traps near these sites for more monitoring! When doing field work, it is of up most importance to maintain proper sanitation. We wear Tyvek booties in the field to avoid the spread of diseases such as Clubroot and Sclerotinia.
At this time of year Flea Beetle and Diamond Back Moth monitoring are crucial. Flea Beetles are a pest in canola fields and they are attracted to a bright yellow sticky card that we place 25 meters apart along the edge of a commercial field. These traps are collected weekly and brought to the lab for processing using a stereomicroscope. We record the number and species species and number of flea beetles retained on the sticky cards and this data allows us to gain insight into the diversity and densities that are active in growers fields, especially for the Striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata). It also allows us to follow lesser-known species like Psylliodes punctulata, Phyllotreta cruciferae, Chaectnema protensa and C. irregularis. This year, we will be using Alpha Scent Flea Beetle sticky cards which measure 5.5” x 8” in size (Figure 2) as opposed to the smaller Contech sticky cards that measured 3” x 5” (Figure 3) and were used in the past. Below are pictures showing the two different types of sticky traps.
 |
| Figure 2. Flea beetle sticky card measuring 5.5" x 8" supplied by Alpha Scents. |
 |
| Figure 3. Contech sticky card (3" x 5"). |
