A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
Reports are coming in about insect pressure in forage crops and pastures across the province.
Central and eastern Ontario currently have high potato leafhopper pressure, while districts across northern Ontario are challenged by armyworms.
The only way to know if a field has insect pressure is to scout it. More information about scouting forage crops can be found in OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops.
Where thresholds have been exceeded, Publication 812: Field Crop Protection Guide has information on insecticide options.
Potato Leafhoppers
Potato leafhoppers (PLH) are lime green, wedge-shaped insects that are up to 3mm (1/8 in.) long. Unlike other insects, they can move sideways or backwards as fast as they can move forwards.
They are easy to confuse with aphids, who are rounder (pear-shaped), often a darker green, and have legs that are visible from above.
PLH overwinter in the southern United States and blow into Ontario on storm fronts, typically in late May or throughout June. PLH are spread by the wind, so large regions tend to have PLH pressure; this pest is not isolated to individual fields.
PLH suck the juices out of alfalfa leaves. A compound in their saliva closes off the xylem and phloem, preventing nutrients and water from moving around the plant. This stunts the alfalfa.
PLH feeding causes a characteristic yellow V shape on the tips of leaves. By the time these symptoms appear, stunting has already occurred, and the crop will not grow any more.
“Hopperburn” is commonly confused with stress from dry weather or boron deficiency.
Armyworm
True armyworms have white-bordered stripes running length-wise along their bodies.
Their most distinguishing feature are dark diagonal bands at the top of each abdominal proleg (chubby back legs). True armyworms may vary in colour from green to reddish brown.
They prefer to eat grasses and cereals, and in high enough numbers can eat an entire forage crop.
Unlike PLH, armyworms crawl from field to field searching for food, so individual fields can be infested.
For full article with figures and solutions, visit fieldcropnews.com/2019/07/are-insects-eating-your-forage-crop.
Written by Christine O’Reilly, forage and grazier specialist, OMAFRA.
COMING EVENTS:
For a list of all Ontario Fairs, visit the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) website at https://ontariofairs.com/
Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 Paris Fair – 139 Silver St, Paris.
For more information visit www.parisfairgrounds.com or phone 519-442-2823.
Aug. 30 to 31 – Meaford and St. Vincent Fair – 130 Collingwood Street, Meaford.
For more information visit www.donothaveone or phone 519-794-0574.
Aug. 30 to 31 – Desboro Agricultural Society – 136205 Grey County Rd 40, Chatsworth, Ontario.
For more information visit www.desborofallfair.ca or phone 519-794-3586.
Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 – Durham Fair – 451 Saddler St W, Durham.
For more information visit www.durhamfallfair.ca or phone 519-378-6562.
Aug. 30 to 31 – Kincardine Fair – 133 Broadway St, Kincardine, Ontario.
For more information visit www.kincardineagsocietyfallfair or phone 519-396-3393.
Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 – Mitchell Fall Fair – 155 Wellington St, Mitchell, Ontario.
For more information visit http://www.mitchellfair.com or phone 519-348-4400.
