I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Holiday. May 2003 be a Happy and Prosperous one for each of you. Over the holidays I checked several wheat fields, which were not doing well and yellowing in spots, and found rather large colonies of greenbugs present. The greenbug population is building quite rapidly in some fields. The most susceptible fields will be those planted late. Fields, which were planted early and/or are currently being grazed, are not as susceptible to greenbug damage as those planted late with wheat plants still in the 3-5 leaf stage. It is recommended to check your fields regularly for the pressure of greenbugs.

The need to apply insecticide depends on thenumber of greenbugs present, the size of the plant, the vigor of the plant, the temperature, moisture conditions, the stage of plant growth and effectiveness of parasites and predators.

The need to apply insecticide depends on the number of greenbugs present, the size of the plant, the vigor of the plant, the temperature, moisture conditions, the stage of plant growth and effectiveness of parasites and predators.

A general guideline for treatment of greenbugs in wheat is as follows:

The appearance of yellowed spots and/or dead plants is an indication of greenbug infestation. In very young wheat, populations of 25-50 greenbugs per foot of drill row may warrant an insecticide treatment.

Remember that low temperatures will slow the activity and effectiveness of most insecticides. It may take twice as long for an insecticide to kill at 45° as it would at 70°. If temperatures are below 50°, you should use the highest rate recommended. The two most common insecticides used for greenbug control are Dimethoate 2.67 lbs. @ 3/4 to 1 pt./acre or Lorsban @ 0.5 to 1.0 pt./acre. Both carry a fourteen day grazing interval.

CONCHO VALLEY COTTON CONFERENCE
MARCH 25, 2003
SAN ANGELO CONVENTION CENTER
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Runnels/Tom Green IPM committee, the Tom Green Crops committee and the Texas Cooperative Extension staff will be sponsoring their fifth “Concho Valley Cotton Conference” on Tuesday, March 25, 2003. We invite you to come and spend the day with us.

The educational program is currently being put together and will be addressing such topics as: Conservation-tillage Cropping Systems, Herbicide Resistance Management, Chemical Efficacy in Con-till Systems, Weed Management on Con-till Cropping Systems, Drip Irrigation Systems and Maintenance of These Systems, Weather Modification Program, Industry Updates with industry representatives along with the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association Annual Meeting.

We will have the trade show exhibitors for you to visit with before, during break and after the conference. There will be a complimentary noon meal and CEU’s for private, commercial and noncommercial applicators will be given out to those who stay the entire conference day.

To Pre-Register call the Runnels County Extension Office at 365-2219, the Entomologist Office at 365-5212 or the Tom Green County Extension Office at 659-6523 by MARCH 21st. After this date, there will be a $10.00 registration fee.

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.