Mark Flory, Miami County Agricultural Extension Agent
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Don’t Let Pests Ruin Wheat Harvests
Armyworms, Aphids And Cutworms Among Farmers’ Foes
Watch wheat for pests. Talking with several farmers who have wheat planted in Miami County this year we have the potential to have some really good fields.
On the other hand, some wheat fields look a little thin.
In either case, we want to make sure we keep fields free of pests. Fields that look thin need attention because if the wheat is going to be left for harvest, it needs to be as healthy as possible.
With plenty of spring rain and temperatures starting to warm up there are several things we need to scout for in wheat crops. I would like to focus on insect pests we need to pay close attention to.
The first insect I will discuss is the army cutworm, which has been seen in the Kansas canola crops. Army cutworms also can be a problem for wheat fields. They usually do their damage on wheat during late winter and spring.
Kansas State University reports show this year we could see the army cutworms at a later date than usual because the wheat is maturing later. Army cutworms will cause brown spots in the field after the wheat has greened up. Look for the brownish colored worms during the day on the top of the soil near the base of plants.
The next insect I mention is a problem most years for wheat-producers. It is the true armyworm. You will want to look for true armyworms much like you would look for army cutworms. They usually will be right beneath the soil near the base of the plants during the day. However, true armyworms feed at night on the foliage and beards of the plant. True armyworms usually will be a problem after times of moisture and can be a problem from now until harvest.
The final pest I will mention is the bird cherry-oat aphid that may be found in wheat fields during the spring.
According to Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension entomologist, we have not worried a lot about a direct feeding problem with bird cherry-oat aphids. We have been more concerned with the fact they were a vector for a wheat disease called barley yellow dwarf disease.
Barley yellow dwarf disease can become a problem for wheat farmers. Last year the bird cherry-oat aphid caused direct feeding damage to the wheat. If you find 30 to 50 aphids per tiller when checking wheat for the bird cherry-oat aphid, then direct damage can occur from the aphids feeding on the plant, and control measures should be taken.
Thanks to Whitworth for the information provided in the article.
With high fertilizer cost and inputs, farmers need to do the best possible job keeping a healthy and vigorous stand of wheat. Many times this comes down to scouting fields for unwanted pests and problems.
If you have any questions on potential wheat problems, please call me at the Miami County Extension office at 294-4306.
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On the other hand, some wheat fields look a little thin.
In either case, we want to make sure we keep fields free of pests. Fields that look thin need attention because if the wheat is going to be left for harvest, it needs to be as healthy as possible.
With plenty of spring rain and temperatures starting to warm up there are several things we need to scout for in wheat crops. I would like to focus on insect pests we need to pay close attention to.
The first insect I will discuss is the army cutworm, which has been seen in the Kansas canola crops. Army cutworms also can be a problem for wheat fields. They usually do their damage on wheat during late winter and spring.
Kansas State University reports show this year we could see the army cutworms at a later date than usual because the wheat is maturing later. Army cutworms will cause brown spots in the field after the wheat has greened up. Look for the brownish colored worms during the day on the top of the soil near the base of plants.
The next insect I mention is a problem most years for wheat-producers. It is the true armyworm. You will want to look for true armyworms much like you would look for army cutworms. They usually will be right beneath the soil near the base of the plants during the day. However, true armyworms feed at night on the foliage and beards of the plant. True armyworms usually will be a problem after times of moisture and can be a problem from now until harvest.
The final pest I will mention is the bird cherry-oat aphid that may be found in wheat fields during the spring.
According to Jeff Whitworth, K-State Extension entomologist, we have not worried a lot about a direct feeding problem with bird cherry-oat aphids. We have been more concerned with the fact they were a vector for a wheat disease called barley yellow dwarf disease.
Barley yellow dwarf disease can become a problem for wheat farmers. Last year the bird cherry-oat aphid caused direct feeding damage to the wheat. If you find 30 to 50 aphids per tiller when checking wheat for the bird cherry-oat aphid, then direct damage can occur from the aphids feeding on the plant, and control measures should be taken.
Thanks to Whitworth for the information provided in the article.
With high fertilizer cost and inputs, farmers need to do the best possible job keeping a healthy and vigorous stand of wheat. Many times this comes down to scouting fields for unwanted pests and problems.
If you have any questions on potential wheat problems, please call me at the Miami County Extension office at 294-4306.