June, 2020
Page 7
SARDA Ag Research News
Pest monitoring in the Peace Region, 2020
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ARDA Ag Research will closely monitor 3 insect pests; Bertha Armyworms (Berthas), wheat midge, and diamondback moths (diamondbacks). Diamondbacks, Berthas and Wheat midge have been monitored closely for the past three years according to the protocols provided to us by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Berthas, are important pests of canola in the Prairie Provinces. They belong to a group of insects known as the climbing cutworm and are native to the Peace Region. Berthas begin as small green worms but darken as they grow until they become velvety black. They are only a concern when they feed, in the larval stage. SARDA will once again set up traps in the municipalities of Big
Bertha Army Worm Trap
Lakes, Greenview, Northern Sunrise and Smoky River to monitor the likelihood of infestations. These traps will be checked weekly; moths counted for Berthas as the risk of infestation is high in 2020. Despite only causing damage during the larval stage, we monitor Berthas at the moth stage in order to predict the risk of infestation. The counts determine the risk levels. For example, it takes a count of about 900 – 1200 for a moderate risk level, and 1200 – 1500 for a high risk level. Even traps with low counts, anywhere from 0-300, have been reported to have damage if the larvae tend to cluster in one field. Bertha traps are green barrel shaped traps with pheromones which lure the moths in. A pesticide strip inside the trap kills the moths once they enter allowing them to easily be counted. Overall, the degree of damage that can occur from Berthas varies substantially yearly. There are elements that impact their numbers, such as cold weather as well as the levels of parasites and diseases. Last year, the conditions were ideal and many farmers had to spray in order to keep these pests under control. The trend in 2019 demonstrated a continued increase in numbers in many locations across Alberta. In particular, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry highlighted the Peace Region as an area of strong outbreak in Alberta. As a result, numbers in 2020 are being carefully monitored. The second type of pest monitoring that SARDA Ag Research is doing this year is for the Wheat Midge. Over the last 3 years, SARDA has set up pheromone sticky traps in three different locations across the MD of Smoky River, which are checked 2-3 times a week. These traps are used to indicate the time Wheat Midge males begin flying, which are always 3-4 days ahead of the female “egg laying” midge. Pheromone traps only catch male Midge and therefore, the traps only give us a rough
