Tag Archives: Corn Leaf Aphid

IPM in Fall Corn Production

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There are several growers who have planted corn crops for fall production. Much of the fall corn is sweet corn crops but other purposes exist as well including tourism. Insect issues can be more severe for fall planted corn and the crops should be monitored for pest insects. The three more likely insect pests that may develop into problems include fall armyworms, corn leaf aphids and corn leafhoppers. The corn leafhopper is the insect of greatest concern; not just because of what it can do to the current… Read More →

Corn Leaf Aphids in Corn

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A couple of weeks ago, Corn Leaf Aphids were found in corn fields in Calhoun and Jackson counties.  Field populations ranged from 1-3% infested plants to 40% infested plants and infested plants had 1,000-3,000 aphids per leaf in the top three leaves on the plant. Most fields were already tasseling and silking but some were pre-tassel. By the time I saw them in the field (May 2), there was already 10-20% parasitized aphid mummies and large lady beetle larvae of at least two lady beetle species. A research… Read More →

Fall Armyworms in Sorghum

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Fall armyworms are being found in sorghum fields across the area this week.  While the feeding can be alarming, I have yet to find a field in need of treatment. Insecticide application may be justified if larval feeding reduces leaf area by more than 30 percent or is damaging the developing grain head or growing point within the whorl. The fields where I have found the armyworms had less than 5% infested plants and the feeding damage was below the economic threshold. Often, I was finding two or… Read More →

Cutworms and Aphid IPM

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The two top insect responses in the “One Question Survey” were Cutworms and Aphids. Cutworms are the larval stage of moths, several species of which damage corn, grain sorghum and cotton.  The  cutworms species may include Army cutworm, black cutworm, granulate cutworm, pale western cutworm, variegated cutworm. Cutworms are dingy, gray-black and smooth-skinned (greasy appearance) robust bodied caterpillars that may reach 1-1/2 inches long. When disturbed, the caterpillars curl up tightly into a C-shape. Larvae overwinter and become active in the spring, feeding on a wide variety of plants. Adults… Read More →