Purdue Provides Alfalfa-Weevil Control Guidelines

Southern Indiana growers should be scouting for alfalfa weevil larvae now, according to the Purdue Pest & Crop newsletter. Last week, evidence of pin-hole feeding was found in the south-central part of the state. Producers can most-effectively manage the pests, often overlooked in early spring, by utilizing heat-unit accumulations data. With a base of 48°F, heat units determine when sampling should begin and when action should be taken. To help determine when alfalfa weevils should be controlled in southern Indiana and surrounding areas, visit: extension.entm.purdue.edu/pestcrop/2008/issue5/index.html.

Record-Setting Armyworm Moth Capture In Kentucky

Growing grass hay or pastures in Kentucky? Be on the lookout for armyworm larvae, say University of Kentucky (UK) entomologists. A record number of adult armyworm moths have been captured in the UK-IPM pheromone trap system in recent weeks. As of late April, the Princeton trap captured 600 moths/trap-week compared to 322 moths the previous week. This is a larger peak than in any first-generation flight since Kentucky entomologists started keeping records, and a substantially larger number than in the outbreak years of 2001 and 2006. Lexington trap captures for the same week also dramatically increased – from 27 moths the previous week to 660. While entomologists are not certain if the moth flight will result in a large caterpillar population, they strongly urge the scouting of grass hay, pastures, small grains and corn for feeding signs. Disease, predation and parasitism, among other factors, will impact how well the eggs and caterpillars will survive. Read more in the Kentucky Pest News at www.uky.edu/Ag/kpn/kpn_08/pn080428.htm#armarm.