07.24.20
WBC MOTHS COUNTS
Unfortunately for our first week of moth counts in 2020, we set a record at three testing locations. Our highest count the last two years has been 203 - and we had three locations break that record (290, 303, and 732). What does that mean? Too early to tell yet, however based on calendar date and GDU's, I don't think we have reached peak moth flight yet. I speculate that this week's counts will be higher than last, and then start to tail off afterwards. We have not found any egg masses to date, but have heard a few crop consultants start to find some - which means we are on the front side of egg hatch. Egg masses are extremely difficult to scout for as frankly they are hard to find! Larva will eat egg carcasses after hatching - which makes locating egg masses even harder. If treatment is needed, sometime later this week or next may be ideal to kill early egg masses and provide some residual for egg hatching.
Please call if you have any questions! - Jason (920) 382-5465
08.16.19
WBC MOTHS COUNTS
Our last week of moth counts came in and numbers fell to zero at almost every location. Eggs masses were difficult to locate during scouting in the last two weeks and finding larva has also been extremely spotty. Most of the larva we have found have been between Pardeeville and Cambria thus far, where our original moth counts were the highest. Once the larva move into the ear and start kernel feeding, a foliar application becomes fairly unaffective as getting an insecticide down through the canopy and into the ear is nearly impossible. Continue to watch for fields with heavy larva feeding as they may require an early harvest to prevent mold or other quality concerns from setting in.
Please call if you have any questions! - Jason (920) 382-5465
08.09.19
WBC MOTHS COUNTS
Moth counts tapered off significantly this week, indicating peak flight as long since past and egg laying is also finished up. We have scouted quite a few fields in our area in the last two weeks and have yet to find an egg masses or larva feeding. Scouting will continue this week, however, we are anticipating almost all fields in our area falling below any needed actionable thresholds.
Please call if you have any questions! - Jason (920) 382-5465
08.02.19
WBC MOTHS COUNTS
Week two counts are in and shown on the map below. The first number represents July 26th, and the second is August 2nd. As you can see from the map, the severity widened significantly across our area - with numbers of over 100 moths per trap pretty consistent from Highway 60 to Endeavor. The high numbers on heavier ground to the north and east of Cambria are surprising, as we haven't seen heavy pressure move that far in the past. Regardless, any area over 100 moths per trap is a signal for us to start checking these fields for eggs, as if there is any significant egg numbers - a spray application may be required. Remember the threshold is 5% (meaning if you find eggs on 5 of 100 plants).
Please call if you have any questions! - Jason (920) 382-5465
07.26.19
WBC MOTHS COUNTS
Today kicked off our WBC moth counting! Moth counts ranged from 1 to 197. Per DATCP, our area should be at 25% moth flight - meaning peak numbers are just around the corner and egg laying will start at any point. Our counts this week have been relatively consistent with the areas of heavy pressure that what we have seen the last two seasons. There is no "threshold" for moth counts to justify spraying, however, higher moth counts means the opportunity for higher egg counts. Next week's results will be published next Friday!
Please call if you have any questions! - Jason (920) 382-5465
08.03.18
WBC MOTHS COUNTS
Today was our last count of the season and we pulled our traps down. Moth numbers dropped dramatically at all locations indicating peak moth flight ended last week and peak egg lay hatch is underway. We were only able to find a single egg mass in half of our fields today. Remember threshold is 5% and to date our highest count has been 2%. So despite our high moth counts this year, application events will be limited to a few fields between Northern Columbia and Southern Marquette Counties. If you have irrigated corn on sandier soils in those area, we would highly recommend scouting and potentially spraying those acres with an insecticide. If you have followed DATCP's Pest Bulletin, you would have noticed their lower moth count numbers. Our agency will be working with DATCP to review lure types and testing protocol for 2019. Thanks for following along and hopefully we have dodged this pest in 2018.
Please call if you have any questions! - Jason (920) 382-5465
