GENERAL CONDITIONS:

Much needed soil moisture has been provided albeit in the form of "cotton showers" primarily over the area with a few downpours last week providing ample moisture in a few locations. Hopefully everyone is able to work with moisture available to finish field work.

OCCASIONAL PESTS

A large number of "miller" moths have been
present over the last week around porch and guard lights. This is an indication that there is a potential "armyworm" problem looming in the near future. Homeowners with new garden growth, newly established bedding plants and producers with newly emerging field crops should be watching for this pest to appear. Once alternate weed hosts start to digress with the appearance of new lush plants, the stage is set for a potential problem. The true Armyworm is not the only moth present but this complex consists of cutworms as well. Feeding damage may be apparent to foliage but also may be restricted to below-ground plant parts (cutworms) which may be harder to detect. Plants that look sick or die in a row when ample moisture is present may be the result of cutworm and/ or "grubworm" (white grub) feeding.

PECAN INSECTS

The first PECAN NUT CASEBEARER (PNCB) moths were captured in pheromone traps in Crosby County on May 10. Traps were placed in groves and in individual trees in the first week of May. As a general rule, egg lay occurs in the form of a single white or greenish-white oval-shaped and flattened spot on the stigma, bract or even the side of the nutlet. Red spots prior to hatch will give the egg a pink color with the egg shell remaining white after hatch. Egg lay will follow the appearance of moths in traps by approximately 7 to 10 days with another 7 to 10 day interval prior to nut entry. All of this is dependant on temperature and humidity and actual scouting will determine the best time for application of pesticides if necessary. The last newsletter contained an error on my part which I feel compelled to correct. I can only hope this has not caused anyone any inconvenience. I was writing about the PNCB larval developmental stage while obviously thinking about the Pecan Weevil instead. PNCB larvae develop and overwinter (after nut feeding) on and within the external portions of the tree bark and not within the fallen pecans as I previously described. Again, I hope this has not caused any problems.

As a result of the IPM Steering Committee meeting, it has been determined that the per-acre rate for scouting (all commodities) will remain at the same rate as last year which is $5.00/acre. There is still ample room for those producers who wish to participate in the program. Should there be additional questions regarding the program or interest in participating, please contact this office at your earliest convenience. Hiring scouts is contingent upon the number of acres and location of said crops. Preparation and planning the field monitoring program can only be done when an accurate participation figure is realized.

SCOUT SCHOOL

Scouting School will be held on June 1 at the Ollie Liner Center in Plainview. They have requested that 5 CEU's will be given, but this is pending approval by TDA. EPA green cards for pesticide handlers will be issued. This meeting is free to the public and is highly informative. It will start at 8:30 and end at 4:30. Please arrive early in order that registration may be accomplished without holding up the meeting. Hope to see a large crowd on hand.

Steve Davis
Extension Agent-IPM
Crosby/Floyd Counties

Posted at this web site by:
texagnet Internet Services.