All entries for June 2013

First turnip moth of the year captured at Wellesbourne

We found our first male turnip moth in one of our pheromone traps today. This is very 'late' compared with previous years - another effect of the cold spring.

Several years ago, data on trap captures were used to estimate a day-degree (D^o) sum for the start of flight activity by male turnip moths. This was 340 D^o above a base of 7^oC. Up to yesterday we had accumulated 310D^o, so this appears to be quite a reliable estimate!

The cutworm model is a computer programme that uses weather data to predict the rate of development of turnip moth eggs and caterpillars. It also predicts the level of rain-induced mortality among the early-instar caterpillars. Output from this model is available on the HDC Pest Bulletin web site. Cutworm caterpillars are shown below.

Rosemary Collier : 13 Jun 2013 15:40 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Update on willow–carrot aphids

Willow carrot aphids are now flying in many areas - see previous blog posts. Our counts on 3 x 0.5m lengths of carrot row at Wellesbourne yesterday produced a total of 38 winged aphids and 13 progeny (wingless aphids), which is an increase on the count made on 4th June.

Rosemary Collier : 11 Jun 2013 10:22 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Pest counts at Wellesbourne on 10th June

Yesterday we recovered:

• 44 carrot flies (3 traps)
• 6 cabbage root fly eggs (15 plants)
• 21 bean seed flies (3 traps)
• No silver Y moths, turnip moths or diamond-back moths

A summary of captures in our yellow water traps is here: insects_captured_in_yellow_water_traps_located_in_swede_plots_at_warwick_crop_centre_11_june.pdf

Rosemary Collier : 11 Jun 2013 10:01 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Update on pest activity at Wellesbourne

The last set of samples was taken on 6th June:

• 59 carrot flies (3 traps)
• 1 silver Y moth (2 traps), no turnip moth or diamond-back moth
• 21 cabbage root fly eggs (15 plants)
• 12 bean seed flies (3 traps)
• 2 brassca flea beetles (3 traps)
• Large narcissus flies are still emerging

Rosemary Collier : 10 Jun 2013 09:36 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Migrant moths

Whilst we haven't captured many moths yet in our pheromone traps at Wellesbourne (traps for diamond-back moth, silver Y moth and turnip moth), the migrant species are being captured in light traps on the Dorset coast by members of the Dorset Moths Group. In general these have been small numbers of diamond-back moth or sliver Y moth but 464 diamond-back moths were captured by one recorder on the night of 31st May!

Rosemary Collier : 08 Jun 2013 14:36 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Suction trap captures and aphid information specific to vegetable crops

The latest information on suction trap captures has just been released by Rothamsted Research 2013webbulletin6.pdf and can also be found on the Rothamsted Insect Survey web site.

More specific information about the pest aphids of vegetable crops can be found here aphid_news20130607.pdf.

In summary:

• No cabbage aphids have been caught so far this year.
• Willow-carrot aphids have been captured at Preston and in all traps located south of Preston (126 at Starcross, 16 at Wye, 10 at Silwood Park, 13 at Writtle, 23 at Rothamsted, 12 at Hereford, 40 at Wellesbourne, 20 aat Broom's Barn, 5 at Kirton and 3 at Preston).
• Potato aphids were captured at Wellesbourne (1), Writtle (1) and Starcross (2).
• The first peach-potato aphid of the year was captured at Starcross.
• The first currant-lettuce aphids of the year were captured at Hereford (1) and Starcross (1).
• Four pea aphids were captured at Starcross.
• Black bean aphids were caught at Gogarbank (1), Broom's Barn (1), Silwood Park (1) and Starcross (1).

Rosemary Collier : 08 Jun 2013 12:53 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Aphid alert (7th June)

APHID ALERT SUMMARY 7^th JUNE 2013 - this is the general alert produced by all the organisations that monitor aphids and/or produce pest warnings.

Aphids are starting to stir but numbers remain low. The warm weather of late will mean that they are multiplying faster and will soon be flying in larger numbers and developing populations in crops if the weather remains good.

• It’s still the case that very few crop pest aphids are flying for the time of year but, with many crops also being late, the risk is not yet over.
• Potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) have been found in small numbers in suction traps and yellow water pan traps in the Midlands and South.
• Willow–carrot aphids have been trapped as far north as Preston but not in Newcastle or Scotland. These are able to transmit potato virus Y.
• Leaf-curling plum aphid is flying throughout the Country but in much lower numbers than usual for the time of year. It is an efficient vector of potato virus Y.
• A pea aphid has been found in spring beans and in the Starcross suction trap. Single black bean aphids have been found in four suction traps across the Country.
• A currant–lettuce aphid has been caught in the Hereford and Starcross suction traps.
• Cereal aphids are flying in low numbers throughout the Country.
• Visit us on the HGCA stand at Cereals!

Further information can be found as follows.

Rothamsted Suction Traps: (There may be some problems with the web site this week.)

www.rothamsted.ac.uk/insect-survey

AHDB-HGCA Aphid Advisory Alert: http://www.hgca.com/cms_publications.output/2/2/Publications/Publication/Aphid%20advisory%20alerts.mspx?fn=show&pubcon=6036

HDC/Syngenta Vegetable Pest Bulletin:

http://www3.syngenta.com/country/uk/en/AgronomyTools/HDCPestBulletin/Pages/HDCPestBulletin.aspx

FERA Yellow Water Pan Traps:

http://aphmon.csl.gov.uk/levy/

Rosemary Collier : 08 Jun 2013 12:39 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Update on pests at Wellesbourne

Yesterday (3 June) we recovered:

117 carrot flies (3 traps)

26 bean seed flies (3 traps)

18 cabbage root fly eggs (15 plants)

10 winged willow-carrot aphids and 2 young (3 x 0.5 m lengths of row)

More large narcissus flies!

Rosemary Collier : 04 Jun 2013 16:04 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem