P.O. Box 318

Marty Jungman
Extension Agent-Pest Management
Office: 254/582-3551
Fax: 254/582-5512

GENERAL SITUATION

The soil moisture conditions are adequate. Corn and grain sorghum could use a rain. Corn will range from 4-18 inches tall, grain sorghum will vary from just coming up to 10 inches. The majority of the cotton is up to a stand. The later planted cotton will need a rain for a full stand.

GRAIN SORGHUM

Producers should monitor later planted grain sorghum for cutworms and armyworms. In general, we are seeing more damage in weedier fields prior to planting. Armyworm movement from waterways, roadsides and wheat have decreased dramatically. Armyworm numbers in wheat are down considerably from last week.

Greenbugs are being seen in light numbers in grain sorghum.

We are also seeing white grubs in grain sorghum and corn. Damage will appear as dead plants in an area with root pruning. No control for this pest.

COTTON

Producers should monitor their cotton fields for

cutworm and armyworm problems. A few fields have been treated for cutworms and armyworms. In general, these fields were grown up in weeds with armyworms moving off of drying plants. Cutworm problems are usually associated with weedier field conditions. (This situation would include fields that were plowed prior to planting or planted into weeds.) Cutworms will cutoff plants either below the soil surface, at the soil surface or just above. I have seen a couple of fields with very little damage above the ground and most plants cutoff below ground. Producers should monitor cotton stands closely for any cutworm and armyworm problems.

Thrips and aphids are in light numbers in cotton. Thrips will increase as wheat dries down.

Boll weevil traps are being set out this week and we will start monitoring them next week.

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This past week I've had discussions with producers on the need for using a surfactant or some type of additive with insecticides. Most insecticides will achieve good insect control without these materials. One exception that comes to mind is the chemical called Provado®. Another exception would be if you usually add a chemical to buffer the water.

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