Biological control research activities we contribute towards (1999-2023)

We just pulled together a quick summary of the various biological control activities our program has contributed towards...

AAFC-STB-Alberta-Beaverlodge Research Farm (Jennifer.Otani@agr.gc.ca) – The Pest Management program is active in annual and perennial field crops grown in the Alberta and BC portions of the Peace River region (i.e., 55-59 degrees North by 117-120 degrees West). 

Historical projects include parasitoids/parasitism of Lygus spp. by Peristenus, Phasia aeneoventris; Delia spp. larvae in canola by Aleochora bilineata; coccinellid larvae by Oomyzus scaposus; cutworms in annuals and perennials grown for seed Apamea devastator, A. amputatrix, Nephelodes minians, Euxoa auxiliaris, Actebia fennica and more by various parasitoids and viruses; Coleophora deauratella and C. mayrella by Chelonus spp., Neochrysocharis formosa now placed in genus Omphale; Thymelicus lineola with zero observed parasitism over multiple years, Tychius meliloti, T. picirostris, T. stephensii with zero observed parasitism over multiple years, Hypera nigrirostris by Scambus hispae (tentative), Bathyplectes curculionis, B. exiguus; Sitodiplosis mosellana by Macroglenes penetrans, Platygaster sp., Inostemma walkeri. 

Currently, the program supports R. DeClerck-Floate (AAFC-Lethbridge) with a release and post-release data collection on common toadflax near Grande Cache AB in 2022 plus we are following-up in 2024 by (i) confirming Oulema melanpus at larval feeding sites reported in 2023 in the Peace River region, and (ii) attempting to confirm larval parasitism levels. 

Biological control topics relevant to the region needing support for the future include wheat midge parasitism, cereal leaf beetle parasitism, seed-feeding clover weevil parasitism, red clover casebearer parasitism, European skipper parasitism, plus the control of common toadflax, oxeye daisy, Canada thistle and kochia. 

Thank you to Dr. O. Lonsdale (AAFC-Ottawa) who coordinates NIS submissions and to the many taxonomists who have helped us over the years!

Fall field scouting in grasses grown for seed

Last week, a call related to damaged creeping red fescue growing near Bear Canyon triggered a conversation of things to keep in mind when heading out to scout grass fields in the Fall:

Several species of insects utilize grasses grown for seed. Compared to annual crops, perennial grasses grown for seed are typically left in production for 2-3 years (and even longer) so the soil profile is disturbed less frequently when it comes to tillage and seeding. The soil profile stability offers a unique habitat to soil-dwelling organisms. Cutworms, webworms, wireworms, and many species of beetles are just a handful of insect groups that can be found in grass seed production systems and spend large portions of their lifecycle below ground. Even though pest species can be present, natural enemies and pollinator species also inhabit grass fields grown for seed. 

More in-depth scouting information can be reviewed in the Alberta Forage Manual. This resource includes two sections describing (i) pest and (ii) beneficial species of arthropods typically present in western Canadian grass seed production systems. Download a searchable PDF copy.

Learn when and where to look in the field by reviewing these cutworm scouting tips published by the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. The PPMN has multiple cutworm-related posts archived from the past  growing seasons and you can review that list here.

If you find insect larvae, determine if it has legs, where the legs are positioned and how many legs are visible. This step helps determine if it's a cutworm, fly larva, or beetle larva. Use Figure 1 below and note how many pairs of legs and where those legs are positioned. 

Figure 1. Picture key to identifying insect larvae copied from ENTFACT-017: Recognizing Insect Larval Types by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service.   https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef017

Estimate length of the larva. In the fall, all larvae can be very small and exceedingly difficult to find.  In fact, easily encountering larvae in the fall may mean a high density of overwintering individuals are present so live specimens should be examined by an expert. Mark areas of the field where larvae are present in fall. Additionally, prioritize the field for spring field scouting weekly through April, May and June! 

When it comes to cutworms, review this excellent Cutworm Field Guide. This resource is a searchable PDF guide to all things cutworms including descriptions and photos of different cutworm larvae, host-crop associations, and scouting tips.

Cutworm and Wireworm Information

Growers are hopefully scouting their fields both BEFORE, AS and AFTER they seed!  

Bare patches or slow to grow areas should be investigated and especially within the 5-10 days following seeding.  Cutworms and wireworms are often the first insect pests of the season so don't be afraid to dig in that top 3-4 cm of the soil near the base of emerging plants OR within the seed row.  You could find cutworms or wireworms and here's more information to help:

1.  NEW Cutworm Guide - a free downloadable full-colour guide to cutworm identification, biology and management in field crops grown across the Canadian prairies. A screen shot is provided below but the guide is available in both English and French.

2.  Wireworm pages from recent Insect Field Guide - below you can download ONLY the wireworm pages from this guide published in 2015 which is available in both English and French.

Large subterranean larvae in field crops

This week a query came in for large, thick-bodied white larvae found just below the soil surface that were clipping grass plants below the soil surface. An insect specimen will always help a trained entomologist identify a pest species with the greatest accuracy.  However, in the absence of a specimen, here's a short list of potential insects that might fit the above description and will hopefully aid scouting efforts in the spring:

1. June beetle larvae - These are large juvenile stages of the June beetle and they are herbivorous.  They are occasional pests but difficult to manage using foliar-applied broad spectrum insecticides since the larvae remain below the soil surface when feeding.  When scouting, be on the lookout for the creamy-white body colour, their larger size, the presence of a well-defined tan head capsule, and three pairs of legs on the anterior end.  Below is a screen shot extracted from the Insect Pest chapter prepared by Soroka & Otani in the Alberta Forage Manual below but download the entire manual here.

2.  Small Scarab Beetle Larvae - These are also juvenile stages of another beetle species and these whitish to creamy yellow coloured larvae will feed on a broad range of host plants.  Dr. Kevin Floate at AAFC-Lethbridge is currently taking specimens of larvae to help assess whether or not this species is an economic pest versus an occasional issue.  Link here to access Dr. Floate's fact sheet on the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network's Blog and note the similarities to the June Beetle larvae but know that the larva of the Small Scarab Beetle is "smaller".

3.  Cutworms - Several species of cutworms will occur in all of Alberta's field crops and careful scouting is needed early in the Spring (mid-April to mid-June).  Several species of cutworms are climbing cutworms and they are easiest to find in the evening or early in the morning since they feed above-ground on foliage.  Cutworms in grasses grown for hay or seed will be both climbing and subeteranean so pay attention when scouting since digging is often required in order to find the culprit.  Link here to read over an earlier post on cutworms on the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network's Blog and to access fact sheets for the various species.

Remember, the above list is NOT complete.  Specimens should be examined to help identify the species and to ensure scouting and control options are applied appropriately  - after all, cutworm scouting and control strategies don't necessarily help if June Beetle larvae are in the field!

2016 Alberta Cutworm Reporting Tool and Map

Reminder please for Albertan help!

Please ask growers to report their cutworms on the Alberta Agriculture & Forestry's live Cutworm reporting tool.

Every entry is important because it helps estimate what kind of cutworm problem we have now and into 2017.  Once data entry occurs, your growers can view the live 2016 cutworm map.

A screen shot of the live map is below (retrieved 10May2016):

And here is a screen shot of the updated map (retrieved 22Jun2016):

A summary of the nominal and economic thresholds for cutworms has been pulled together by Dr. John Gavloski who is the provincial entomologist for Manitoba.  Access the thresholds and important cutworm information here.

The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network has been posting Cutworm information and monitoring tips within the 2016 Weekly Updates which is comprised of a series of Posts updated each week during the growing season.

More information about cutworms can be found by accessing the pages from the new "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Field Guide".  An excerpt of ONLY Cutworm pages from the guide have been posted as a downloadable PDF below to support in-field monitoring.

 


More information about the new guide is posted here including how to download a PDF copy of the entire guide in either English or French.

This Week at the Farm (June 12, 2015)

June is cutworm month and cutworm scouting is crucial at this time of the year.

Cutworms include several species of noctuids that feed on a broad range of host plants but they are not worms!  Cutworms are the larval stage of several species of economically important noctuids that can cause damage in prairie-grown crops including canola, mustard, wheat barley, triticale, peas, alfalfa, clover, timothy and several fescue species.  Some cutworm species prefer broadleaf to grass- or cereal-type host plants but some will consume whatever plant is available.

Cutworms overwinter as eggs and larvae so damage will occur in field crops from April until August, depending on the species.

Larvae feed by shredding or clipping leaves or stems of growing plants so seedlings can be highly susceptible.  Cutworm damage is characterized by missing seed rows or bare batches where plants have been consumed beneath the soil surface.  Wilted, drying or brown vegetation can indicate larval feeding occurring below the soil surface or within the crown of a plant.

This cutworm larva was found curled  up in the soil near the crown of a timothy plant near Falher, AB

One of the four objectives of the CARP Cutworm project is to document the species diversity and distribution of cutworms causing damage in our commercial fields.  For our lab, this includes collecting live larvae and rearing them.

These cutworms were collected in canola in a field near Peoria, AB

Cutworm larvae are hand-collected by IPM staff or by producers.  Once they arrive at our laboratory, each specimen is assigned an ID number in order to track their development.

Rearing then involves measuring, feeding, and changing each larva every 2-3 days.  Each larva is housed inside a plastic container (1oz) prepared with filter paper to regulate moisture in the container.  Every 2-3 days, each larva is provided with a prepared media containing antibiotics and nutrients specific to their needs.

This GIF shows a cutworm collected from wheat near Falher, AB feeding on a piece of media.

Each larva is photographed and measured as they develop.  This generates an image library that we will use to develop a tech-transfer document intended to help identify species of cutworm at different growth stages.

More information on the CARP Cutworm Project can be found here

More information on cutworm monitoring can be found here

Albertans can use the 2015 cutworm reporting tool to help us identify cutworm infestations which updates a live map.

-Shelby

Canola Scouting Guide

Field scouting is critical because it enables the identification of potential risks to crops. Canola production systems across the Canadian prairies will suffer insect pest outbreaks. However, the identification of these insect pests PLUS the application of established monitoring methods will enable growers to make informed pest management decisions.

This year we offer a generalized canola scouting chart to aid in-field scouting on the Canadian prairies. This guide contains hyperlinks to help growers learn more about some of our insect pests and how to monitor.

Whenever possible, monitor and compare to established economic thresholds so pollinators and beneficial arthropods are preserved.  Economic thresholds, by definition, can help growers avoid crop losses due to an insect pest.

Good luck with the growing season!

This, along with many other resources, can also be accessed at the Prairie Pest Monitoring blog.

June is Cutworm month!

We have ~143 cutworms and the majority came from the Guy/Falher area between Jun 3-5, 2015.  About 65% of the material we are shipping to AAFC-Saskatoon where we’ve requested they try to include them in future multiplex PCR or CO1 barcoding to identify the species x  host crop associations. 

Anyone seeding an annual into 2014 legume stubble should be carefully scouting for cutworms if they’re anywhere East of Wanham.  The absence of precipitation but warm temperatures mean that cutworm damage is showing up quite suddenly where other years moisture helps the plants grow quickly and tolerate cutworm feeding

Please report Albertan cutworm sites! 

Every entry is important because it helps us all estimate how much of a problem we have now and into 2016.  Once data entry occurs, your growers can be checking the live cutworm map located here.