What insects are already crawling / wriggling / flying in fields?
Flea beetles are at low numbers but already present in some fields. The Spiritwood, SK area has very high numbers reported in volunteer canola. Be vigilant as warming temperatures will get populations moving: a little feeding in cooler weather can rapidly become a damaging level of feeding in warmer conditions. Strong, fast stand establishment is key to helping mitigate issues with canola’s number one insect pest. (Flea beetles: management tips)
Cutworms are being reported in multiple regions. Saskatchewan’s provincial entomologist, James Tansey, says moderate numbers of adult diamondback moth (DBM) are being caught in Saskatchewan, both a little earlier and a little higher in numbers than last year. SaskAg posts weekly updates of DBM catches to their webpage. DBM larvae can eat seedling canola. An upgraded Group 28 seed treatment insecticide (designed for cutworms) could offer some protection from early DBM. Scout. Read and follow label instructions, watching for items like temperature recommendations for Group 3 pyrethroids.
