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2021 Pesticide Fall Recertification Webinar Series
General Landscape and Garden All Locations
Posted on: October 22, 2021 by Nic Usabel
The UI Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) will be conducting 6-webinars on Tuesdays from Nov. 2 - Dec. 14. Completed webinars receive one-pesticide credit*. These webinars are synchronous and held from 10 AM - 11:15 AM (MST). The cost is $10 per applicator/webinar. Enroll now on our UI Marketplace HERE. Check out the details in the attached UIPSEP Fall Recertification Webinars poster. For more information, contact Kimberly Tate at ktate@uidaho.edu.
*For pesticide credit: Pesticide applicators must answer questions throughout the webinar session. This requires individual computer and internet access for each user. Answers will be collected to confirm attendance was maintained for the entire webinar.
Pesticide Fall Recertification Webinar Series
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: October 22, 2021 by Kimberly Tate
The UI Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) will be conducting 6-webinars on Tuesdays from Nov. 2 - Dec. 14. Completed webinars receive one-pesticide credit*. These webinars are synchronous and held from 10 AM - 11:15 AM (MST). The cost is $10 per applicator/webinar. Enroll now on our UI Marketplace HERE. Check out the details in the attached UIPSEP Fall Recertification Webinars poster. For more information, contact Kimberly Tate at ktate@uidaho.edu.
*For pesticide credit: Pesticide applicators must answer questions throughout the webinar session. This requires individual computer and internet access for each user. Answers will be collected to confirm attendance was maintained for the entire webinar.
2021 Idaho Master Gardener Programs in the Treasure Valley
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: October 13, 2021 by Nic Usabel
Interested in becoming an Idaho Master Gardener. See below for program information offered by University of Idaho Extension.
UI Extension, Ada County (Boise, ID): Be added to the interest list by calling 208-287-5900 or email ada@uidaho.edu indicating your interest in the Idaho Master Gardener Program. Additional information can be found at uidaho.edu/ada.
UI Extension, Canyon County (Caldwell, ID): This location serves Canyon and Owyhee counties. Class to meet weekly Wednesday morning from 9am - noon January 12 – May 4. Be added to the interest list by emailing canyon@uidaho.edu or calling 208-459-6003. Registration packet will be released to interest list mid-October. Additional information can be found at uidaho.edu/canyon.
UI Extension, Elmore County (Mountain Home, ID): Be added to the interest list for the 2023 class by calling 208-587-2136 ext. 1250 or email elmore@uidaho.edu. Additional information can be found at uidaho.edu/elmore.
UI Extension, Washington County (Weiser, ID): This location serves the Payette River Valley (Gem, Payette, Washington, Adams counties). Additional information can be found at uidaho.edu/washington or by calling 208-414-0415.
Don’t see your county listed? Use the Idaho Master Gardener webpage to find all program options across Idaho.
Bird cherry-oat aphids on the move; time to inspect fields
Small Grains All Locations
Bird Cherry Oat Aphids
Posted on: October 8, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld
The winged from of bird cherry-oat aphids has been observed in winter wheat in Twin Falls County, Idaho; the wheat was planted in late-September.
The observed aphid numbers were relatively low (averaging one per young seedling), but it indicates that the aphids are on the move, and that the numbers could increase, if the mild weather continues.
Although bird cherry-oat aphids rarely cause significant damage to small grains by direct feeding, they are efficient vectors of Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV).
See below publication for more information on BYDV symptoms and the aphid vectors.
» https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1210.pdf
Artificial Intelligence for Insect Identification
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: September 30, 2021 by Jerry Neufeld
As a component of a USDA-funded project, Harnessing
artificial intelligence for implementing integrated pest management in
small-grain production systems, the University of Idaho is developing a system
to automatically identify insects in wheat and other crops based on submitted
cellphone images.
To develop this system, we need your help with collecting a
large number of photographs of pests and beneficial insects observed in cereal
cropping systems
(cereals and rotation crops) throughout the region. To date,
we have received more than 1300 insect photos- Thank you for your continuing
support!
We will need thousands of photos to train our computer
algorithm to enable the system to generate the most accurate identifications of
unknown samples.
To help us develop this tool, please upload insect
photographs through this link: https://cerealpestaid.net/
2021 Idaho Association of Plant Protection Agenda - Nov. 3-4, Burley Best Western
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: September 28, 2021 by Jeff Miller
The agenda has now been posted for the 2021 Idaho Association of Plant Protection annual meeting on Nov. 3-4 in Burley, ID. See the attached files for more information. ISDA pesticide recertification credit and CCA Pest Management credits have been requested.
» https://millerresearch.com/event/2021-idaho-association-of-plant-protection/
Psyllid Update September 17, 2021
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: September 17, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This is the final report of the 2021 Idaho psyllid monitoring program.
From our samples from last week, we found our first Lso-positive psyllid of the season, on a site in Owyhee County. All other psyllids tested from last week were negative for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). The total percent positive among all sites for the season was 0.08%, which is the lowest incidence of Lso we have observed during the past decade.
During mid- to late July, it appeared that overall psyllid captures would be relatively high this year; however, captures were lower during August, which is the time of year that our psyllid captures are often highest. It is possible that the high temperatures during June to July contributed to higher captures and the more moderate temperatures in August contributed to more modest captures. In the end, overall captures across the season were relatively modest compared to other seasons, and similar to overall captures last year.
Greater abundance of psyllids earlier during the season should generally contribute to greater risk of ZC disease development over the season. However, risk of ZC is a function of both psyllid abundance over the season and Lso incidence. The extremely low incidence of Lso observed in psyllids coupled with relatively modest captures overall, suggests relatively low risk of ZC in the crop this season.
To dive more deeply into the capture data over the season, you can view contour maps that illustrate relative psyllid abundance across the landscape each week here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
More details can also be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
2021 Fall Lawn Fertilization & Care
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: September 15, 2021 by Nic Usabel
University of Idaho turf specialists recommended splitting the application of lawn fertilization into three (3) applications; early May, early September, and late October/November. Review the first reference below to identify fertilization application amounts using a soil test result or the second reference for general recommendations for southern Idaho. Apply according to label directions.
If your lawn is suffering from soil compaction or development of a thick thatch layer fall is the optimal time to core aerate. For more information on core aeration review Core Aeration of Lawns.
Fall is a great time to control perennial weeds in the landscape if opting to use herbicides. Perennials will begin storing carbohydrates in the roots promoting herbicides to be drawn deeper into the root system and allowing for better control.
If there are additional questions on lawn care or weed management reach out to a local University of Idaho Extension office.
Canyon County Master Gardeners are holding an online Fall Perennial Plant Sale. View the inventory selection at https://bit.ly/ccmgstore.
References:
2021 Reduce Watering Frequency During Fall
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: September 14, 2021 by Nic Usabel
The days are shortening, and evening temperatures are cooling. Now is the time to adjust the frequency between irrigation days for the landscape and garden.
Lawn irrigation systems can be set to increase the number of days between irrigation based on soil texture. Adjusting the frequency of watering versus the run time allows for replenishment of the water holding capacity and usable water in the soil profile. See publication links below for greater explanation. This deep and infrequent method encourages a deeper root growth of plants.
A reminder to deep water trees and shrubs prior to shutoff of irrigation water. See our previous alert, 2021 Deep Water Trees & Shrubs.
Canyon County Master Gardeners are holding an online Fall Perennial Plant Sale. View the store today at https://bit.ly/ccmgstore.
Reference:
- Watering Home Lawns and Landscape, University of Idaho
- Watering Home Lawns: How Much and How Often, University of Idaho
- 2021 Deep Water Trees & Shrubs, PNW Pest Alert Network
Psyllid Update September 9, 2021
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: September 9, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This week we had traps deployed in 48 fields, though we are still waiting for traps from one Treasure Valley field. We found a total of 66 psyllids across 15 (32%) of the 47 fields for which we have data. With many fields undergoing vine kill, this is our last week of retrieving sticky traps. We will, however, report on Lso results and a season recap next week.
Overall psyllid captures this week were similar to the last two weeks, with considerably lower captures than for most recent weeks. We recorded moderate captures in parts of the Treasure Valley and Owyhee to Elmore counties as well as near Twin Falls. We recorded low captures elsewhere.
Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (3 fields), Owyhee (3 fields), Elmore (1 field), Twin Falls (5 fields), Minidoka (2 fields), and Cassia (1 field).
All psyllids tested from last week were negative for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). Testing of late-arriving psyllids from one field in Canyon County is pending. Thus far, all of our psyllid samples have been negative.
With harvest season upon us, it is worth remembering that our studies in Russet Burbank showed that ZC can develop during storage if infection occurs as late as two weeks before vine kill. Please consider this in your late-season IPM programs.
To view contour maps that illustrate relative psyllid abundance across the landscape, set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
Psyllid Update September 2, 2021
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: September 3, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This week we had traps deployed in 58 fields, though we are still waiting for traps from one Treasure Valley field. We found a total of 72 psyllids across 13 (23%) of the 57 fields for which we have data. Many fields have undergone vine kill and will no longer be sampled.
Overall psyllid captures this week and last week have been considerably lower than for recent weeks. Contour maps (see links below) graphically reflect relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in Elmore County. We recorded moderate to low captures in other parts of the state and zero captures in eastern Idaho.
Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (3 fields), Owyhee (3 fields), Elmore (2 fields), Gooding (1 field), and Twin Falls (4 fields).
We expect to get Lso results tomorrow, and we will post them on our sites (below) as soon as they are available. Thus far, all of our previous psyllid samples have been negative for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC).
With harvest season upon us, it is worth remembering that our studies in Russet Burbank showed that ZC can develop during storage if infection occurs as late as two weeks before vine kill. Please consider this in your late-season IPM programs.
To view contour maps in more detail, set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
2021 Spider Mites
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Spider Mites (Tetranychidea)
Posted on: September 1, 2021 by Nic Usabel
Idaho Master Gardeners observed a spider mite infestation on zucchini during a recent integrated pest management walk. Spider mites are small (1/60 inch) and cause leaves to appear dirty due to their abundant webbing and adhering of dust. Symptoms include stippling on upper surface of leaves, bronzing and scorching of leaves, and death of foliage when damage is severe.
If you suspect a mite infestation, shake infested leaves over a white sheet of paper. If the small dots that fall to the paper move around, you likely have spider mites. For additional identification or confirmation, reach out to your local Extension office. Most spider mite activity peaks during dry conditions.
Management:
- Spider mites have a number or predatory mites and insects that can provide a high level of control. Avoid insecticides that are nonselective to help preserve predatory insects and mites. Examples include carbaryl, malathion, pyrethroid.
- Periodic hosing of plants with a forceful jet of water can physically remove spider mites and reduce dry dusty conditions favored by spider mites.
- If using a chemical control, select miticides that are specifically developed for spider mite control.
References:
- Pumpkin & Squash Spider Mite, PNW Handbook
- Spider Mites, Colorado State University
- Vegetable Crop Pest: Spider Mite, PNW Handbook
2021 Deep Water Trees & Shrubs
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Posted on: August 31, 2021 by Nic Usabel
Many irrigation districts across the Treasure Valley have indicated that water delivery will end early this season. If your irrigation season will end soon consider deep watering your trees and shrubs before irrigation delivery has stopped.
For established trees irrigate trees starting halfway between the trunk and the dripline and extending well beyond the dripline. See photo linked below for a visual. For large trees this could encompass the entire lawn. For newly planted trees irrigation is best concentrated near the trunk and slightly beyond the root ball to encourage roots to move out into the surrounding soil. Shrubs can be watered in a similar fashion to ensure the roots of the shrub have received water. Evergreen trees and shrubs will continue to lose moisture from their needles or leaves all winter long.
Consider using mulches on the soil surface to conserve moisture. In addition, it will help with weed control and uniform soil temperature. Keep mulch 2 inches away from tree and shrub stems to discourage root and crown disease.
References:
- Tree for southwestern Idaho landscapes: Selection & Irrigation, University of Idaho
- Watering Home Lawn and Landscapes, University of Idaho
2022 Idaho Potato Conference Call for Topics
Potato All Locations
Posted on: August 31, 2021 by Nora Olsen and Mike Thornton
This the first call for
topics for the 2022 Idaho Potato Conference that will take place in Pocatello,
ID on January 19th and 20th. Please provide your ideas for potential
workshops and presentations for this year's conference to Nora Olsen (norao@uidaho.edu) or Mike Thornton (miket@uidaho.edu) by September 30th so that we can put together
a preliminary list for the program planning meeting. Please also suggest
a speaker if you have someone in mind that would do a good job of covering the
topic.
Psyllid Update August 26, 2021
All Crops All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: August 26, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This week we had traps deployed in all 73 fields, though we are still waiting for traps from two fields in eastern Idaho. We found a total of 64 psyllids across 22 (31%) fields.
Overall psyllid captures were considerably lower than for recent weeks. Contour maps (see links below) graphically reflect relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in some fields in the western Treasure Valley and in Elmore County, but this abundance is markedly lower than in previous weeks. Moderate to low captures were recorded in the Magic Valley and very few captures were recorded east of the Magic Valley.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Canyon (9 fields), Payette (1 field), Owyhee (2 fields), Elmore (2 fields), Twin Falls (6 fields), Cassia (1 field), and Bingham (1 field).
Once again, all psyllids tested from last week were negative for Lso, though testing of a single psyllid from last week is still pending. We have yet to find any Lso-positive psyllids this season.
With harvest season upon us, it is worth remembering that our studies in Russet Burbank showed that ZC can develop during storage if infection occurs about two weeks before vine kill. Please consider this in your late-season IPM programs
To view contour maps in more detail, set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures
-Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
» https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
2021 Curly Top Virus in Tomatoes
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Beet Curly Top Virus
Posted on: August 26, 2021 by Nic Usabel
The Canyon County Master Gardener Integrated Pest Management Team recently detected a tomato plant with symptoms of curly top virus. The virus is carried by the beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus. The leafhopper takes up the virus when feeding and keeps it in its body the rest of its life. The most frequently cited hosts include Kochia, Lambsquarter, Halogeton, Russian thistle, Greasewood, and Atripex.
The symptoms on tomatoes include the rolling up and twisting sharply of the leaflets to expose the undersurface. Foliage is stiff and leathery, and the entire plant is a peculiar dull yellow. Leaflet veins are purple, and the plant is often stunted. Many roots and rootlets die, as do severely affected plants. Young plants infected with the disease are usually killed.
The sporadic nature of Beet Curly Top Virus makes it very difficult to implement practical management strategies. One of the most promising strategies is to use resistance cultivars of tomatoes. Observations have shown that plants grown in shade do not contract the virus, so shading could be a possible management strategy. Excluding the beet leaf hopper with row cover buried in the ground and placed over the tomatoes until plants can no longer be contained inside can reduce early infection. Pull and dispose of infected plant material.
References:
2021 Idaho Association of Plant Protection - Nov. 3-4, Burley Best Western
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: August 25, 2021 by Jeff Miller
The 2021 Idaho Association of Plant Protection Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, November 3 at 1:00 pm to Thursday, November 4 at 1:00 pm at the Best Western Inn & Convention Center, Burley, Idaho. Registration will begin at 12:30 PM on Wednesday. The conference will cover all aspects of plant protection including entomology, nematology, weed science, and plant pathology.
Please consider contributing to the meeting research results, observations, unusual pest and disease occurrences, and topics that could be discussed as a group. Each presentation will be allotted a 20-minute time slot. A final program will be advertised in October. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday and the program will begin at 1:00 p.m. Registration costs $15.00 and can only be made by check or cash. Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and Pesticide Recertification credits (ISDA) will be available.
Hotel reservations must be made on your own. Special hotel rates have been negotiated for the participants: $89.00 per night for the Burley Inn (www.burleyinn.com or 208-678-3501) and $65.00 for the Budget Motel nearby (www.burleybudgetmotel.com or 208-678-2200). Please refer to the attached hotel flyer.
Please complete the attached form if you want to participate and reply by email to Alexander Karasev (akarasev@uidaho.edu). If you are not attending this meeting but would like to be notified of future meetings, please send us your updated contact information. Responses can be sent to:
Alexander Karasev: akarasev@uidaho.edu
University of Idaho, Dept. of EPPN
Moscow, ID 83844-2329
(208) 885-2350
Please respond by September 17th, 2021. Also, please share with any who may have an interest.
» https://millerresearch.com/event/2021-idaho-association-of-plant-protection/
Psyllid Update August 19, 2021
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: August 19, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This week we had traps deployed in all 73 fields, though we are still waiting for traps from one field. We found a total of 115 psyllids across 25 (35%) fields.
Overall psyllid captures were slightly lower than last week. Contour maps (see links below) still graphically reflect relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in some fields in the western Treasure Valley. The Elmore County “hot spot” is slightly diminished. Moderate to low captures were recorded in the Magic Valley. We captured two psyllids in Cassia County, but recorded no psyllid captures further east.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Canyon (7 fields), Payette (1 field), Gem (1 field), Owyhee (2 fields), Elmore (2 fields), Gooding (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (7 fields), Cassia (2 fields), and Power (1 field).
Once again, all psyllids tested from last week were negative for Lso, though tests of psyllids from six fields in the western Treasure Valley that arrived late to us last week are still pending. We have yet to find any Lso-positive psyllids this season.
Nevertheless, we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks and to have their IPM programs in place.
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
--To view contour maps in more detail, set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
UI Ag Talk Tuesday August 17 11:00 AM- last one for 2021
All Crops All Locations
General announcment
Posted on: August 16, 2021 by Kasia Duellman, Pam Hutchinson, Juliet Marshall
The final University of Idaho Ag Talk Tuesday session is Tuesday, August 17 at 11 AM (MT).
Join and listen to or actively participate in round table crop updates, followed by featured topics.
The Featured topics and presenters for the 8/17 session are:
Seed potato germplasm update — Jenny Durrin, Director, Seed Potato Germplasm Program
Fungicide resistance management and fungicide resistance in Fusarium species — Kasia Duellman, Christy Christian
Registration is required. Please visit our website for more information and to register: www.uidaho.edu/ag-talk
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pd-ugrzktHdEEbqB3aHk3rlJLgCeSkCLz
2021 Spotted Wing Drosophila on Blackberries
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
Posted on: August 16, 2021 by Nic Usabel
A Canyon County Master Gardener has detected Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) in blackberries. SWD targets a wide variety of fruits including raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. SWD can damage ripe-to-overripe fruit by depositing eggs directly beneath the surface. Review the Utah State University publication linked in the reference material for monitoring methods.
To recognize SWD damage, look very closely for scarring or spotting on the fruit surface; liquid exuding (when squeezed) out of scar/hole where eggs were laid; softening, collapsing and/or bruising of fruit at damage site; small white larvae and pupae that can be seen with naked eye if fruit is opened; and, under a microscope, two hair-like filaments sticking out of fruit where they are connected to a white egg within the fruit can sometimes be seen. Reach out to your local Extension office if you need help with identification or review the linked reference materials for additional details.
Non-Chemical Control
- Pick ripe fruits frequently to minimize potential SWD host material.
- Fine-mesh floating row covers can protect low growing fruits.
- Use traps around fruit production areas to capture and kill adult flies.
- Damaged or fallen fruit should be removed, buried, solarized, crushed or stored in sealed container to exclude flies.
Chemical Control
- Should be coupled with monitoring efforts. Rotate chemical families to avoid resistance and follow the label for each crop.
- See specific fruit for recommended chemicals. Review links below.
- Pesticide families that help control SWD include: spinosyns, pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates. Follow the label to determine appropriate rates, risks, and fruits in which it can be applied.
- Do not apply when bees and other pollinators are present, such as when plants are flowering or when pollinators are active.
Reference Materials:
2021 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day this Thursday
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: August 16, 2021 by Jeff Miller
The Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day will be on Thursday, August 19 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Details can be found at the link below. Two ISDA and two CCA credits are available.
» https://millerresearch.com/event/2021-miller-research-potato-pest-management-field-day/
2021 Blossom-End Rot
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Blossom-End Rot
Posted on: August 12, 2021 by Nic Usabel
Blossom-end rot is showing up on tomato and pepper plants. Eggplant, squash, and watermelon can also be affected.
Blossom-end rot is a physiological disorder due to a shortage of calcium in young fruit. Blossom-end rot often occurs when soil moisture fluctuates as water stress interferes with calcium uptake in the plant. Most Treasure Valley garden soils have enough calcium and additions are not recommended. Some varieties are more prone to blossom-end rot than others.
Cultural Control Practices:
- Use infrequent deep irrigation to keep the soil uniformly moist and avoid water stress or fluctuating soil moisture.
- Organic mulch can be used to prevent wide fluctuations in soil moisture.
- Avoid over fertilizing.
- Avoid hoeing or cultivating near the roots.
Reference Materials:
Psyllid Update August 12, 2021
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: August 12, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This week we had traps deployed in all 73 fields. However, we are still waiting to receive traps from 8 fields in the Treasure Valley (mostly in Canyon County). Of the 65 fields included in this update, we found a total of 93 psyllids across 19 (29%) fields. Updated data from the 8 missing fields will be added to our sites as soon as possible; almost certainly the overall psyllid tally for the week and especially for Canyon County will tick up a bit.
Overall psyllid captures were similar to last week. Contour maps (see links below) still graphically reflect relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in some fields in Elmore County (though slightly lower than in recent weeks) and the western Treasure Valley, but a small “hot spot” is also developing near Twin Falls. Otherwise, modest captures were recorded elsewhere in the Magic Valley, and we continue to see very few psyllids in the Upper Snake region.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Canyon (2 fields), Owyhee (3 fields), Elmore (2 fields), Gooding (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (7 fields), Cassia (1 field), and Power (1 field).
Once again, all psyllids tested from last week were negative for Lso. We have yet to find any Lso-positive psyllids this season.
Nevertheless, we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks and to have their IPM programs in place.
Contour maps or “heat maps” are included on the UI website (see link below). These maps describe predicted psyllid densities across the landscape, based on our trap counts and on predictive models developed in collaboration with colleagues at Washington State University from our many years of data on psyllids in Idaho. We include just a screenshot of the contour maps on our site, so we encourage stakeholders to visit the Decision Aid Systems site and create a free account to view each week’s maps and other pest data in more detail: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
2021 Tobacco Budworm, Petunia & Geranium
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley
Tobacco Budworm (Chloridea virescens)
Posted on: August 11, 2021 by Nic Usabel
Tobacco budworm damage has been observed by Canyon County Master Gardeners during and Integrated Pest Management walk in Caldwell. Now is the time to monitor your petunia and geranium plants which are commonly affected by this pest.
Tobacco budworm feeds on buds and petals. The adult is a moth which is light green with gray or brown overtones and a few wavy, creamy colored bands. The moth is active in the early evening and lays eggs on buds or leaves. The caterpillar varies in overall color but is common in dark forms, green, or light brown. The caterpillar becomes full grown in about a month at which point it will burrow into the soil and transform to a pupal stage. The adult will emerge and begin the cycle again. Overwintering pupae are generally killed if exposed to temperatures below 20°F. Maintaining potted plants in protected areas (garage) can allow budworm pupae to survive in the soil.
Control
• Monitor and detect early. Check buds and flowers for small holes.
• A small planting could allow for handpicking as a control. Most caterpillars hide around the base of the plant in the day and climb onto plants at dusk or early evening.
• Application of microbial insecticide Bt Bacillus thuringiensis should be made late in the day and applied to provide good coverage.
• Additional insecticide options are available and should be applied when pollinators are not active or present on the plant.
Reference Materials:
• https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/tobacco-geranium-budworm-5-581/
• https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasbugs/2016/07/15/geraniums-and-petunias-beware-of-the-tobacco-budworm/
• https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/photos/budworm-petunia-calibrachoa-geranium-0
Psyllid Update August 5, 2021
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: August 5, 2021 by Erik Wenninger
This week we had traps deployed in all 73 fields monitored this year. We found a total of 94 psyllids across 30 (42%) of the 73 fields.
Overall psyllid captures declined again from last week. Contour maps (see links below) still graphically reflect relatively high abundance of psyllids collected in some fields in Elmore County and the western Treasure Valley, but at least in the Treasure Valley tend to show more moderate incidence of psyllids than last week. Modest captures were recorded in the Magic Valley, and we continue to see very few psyllids in the Upper Snake region.
Psyllids were collected on sticky traps in potato in the following counties: Canyon (9 fields), Owyhee (3 fields), Elmore (2 fields), Gem (1 field), Gooding (2 fields), Jerome (4 fields), Twin Falls (6 fields), Cassia (1 field), Minidoka (1 field), and Bingham (1 field).
All of the psyllids tested from last week and all previous weeks have been negative for Lso.
Nevertheless, we urge growers to watch psyllid numbers closely during the coming weeks and to have their IPM programs in place.
Contour maps or “heat maps” are included on the UI website (see link below). These maps describe predicted psyllid densities across the landscape, based on our trap counts and on predictive models developed in collaboration with colleagues at Washington State University from our many years of data on psyllids in Idaho. We include just a screenshot of the contour maps on our site, so we encourage stakeholders to visit the Decision Aid Systems site and create a free account to view each week’s maps and other pest data in more detail: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/
More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news
--Click on the links under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.
--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.
