P22—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 5,1984 NEWARK, DEL. - Regular scouting of small grain crops for insect pests over the next few weeks can help protect farmers from future yield losses. According to University of Delaware exten sion past management specialist Joanne Whalen, growers should be on the lookout for three insects - aphids, armyworms, and grass sawflies. "The potential for insect out breaks in the 1984 small grain crop will depend on a variety of fac tors,” the specialist says. “But generally severe outbreaks are associated with weather. PAUL B. Rotec and Raven Tough Polyethylene ' i *„' fcr , • SPRAYER TANKS - For New Or Replacement • STATIONARY TANKS - For Liquid Fertilizer Storage ALL SIZES AVAILABLE FROM 25 GAL. to 2,000 GAL. CUSTOM BUILT HEAVY DUTY SPRAYERS • 200 & 300 Gal. Trailer Models • 110,150,200 & 300 Gal. 3 Pt. Hitch Models Available With Roller Or Centrifugal Pump STANDARD EQUIPMENT INCLUDES: • All Nylon Plumbing • Adjustable Wheel Spacing * Hitch Jack - 8 Way Control We Also Stock A Comi Sprayer Nozzles JFf And ■BPBI Accessories Pumps & Accessories • Sprayer Hose • Nylon Fittings YOUR COMPLETE HEADQUARTERS FOR SPRAYERS & PARTS PAUL B. ZIMMERMAN, INC. Hardware • Farm Supplies Box 128 R.D.#4, Lititz, PA 17543 Custom Manufacturing Wood Corner Rd Crane Service 1 Mile West of Ephrata WE SHIP U.P.S-. Phone. 717-738-1121 Start scouting small grains for insect pests Probably the best example of this phenomenon is the relation ship between grain aphids and spr ing weather conditions. Between 55 and 65 degrees F, aphids reproduce very rapidly. However, at these temperatures, their natural enemies reproduce slowly, permitting aphid populations to in crease. On the other hand, says Whalen, aphids are very suscepti ble to fungal diseases which occur during periods of rain and high humidity. So aphids are most like ly to be a problem during cool, dry sprmg weather. SOuQEuQS'IrOuDS'OD Tanks *SR|i Grain aphids “■V/- ' iplete Line Of • Ball Valves • Poly Tanks Even though weather plays such an important role in insect out breaks, the specialist says growers should still sample fields for aphid activity while gram is in the tiller stage. “There’s some indication that infestations of this pest may, affect gram test weight,” she ex plains. “This means early detec tion of populations is very impor tant.” When sampling for aphids, check one linear foot of row in 5 to 10 sites within a field. If aphids are pre sent, consider the following factors before applying an insecticide: level of infestation, size and vigor YOUR RELIABLE BUILDER • DAIRY • BEEF • SWINE • POULTRY • HORSE BARNS • ALL PURPOSE BUILDINGS R. MAX URETHANE (4xB or to your spec) —gg WHEELING CHANELDRAIN ROOFING & SIDING life* -*• RD2, Box 267, East Earl, PA 17519 of crop, moisture conditions, and presence of natural enemies. Before grain heads, use the follow ing thresholds in deciding whether or not to treat: When gram is heading, check at least 50 to 100 heads throughout the field for aphids. Treatment may be needed if aphids average 25 per head. Armyworm outbreaks are also affected by weather. However, out breaks are generally sporadic and populations vary from year to year and field to field. Whalen says heavy infestations often occur following a dry summer and mild winter. A cool, wet spring also ap pears to favor this insect. Though the 1982-83 winter was fairly mild, last spring’s raw, damp weather resulted in high armyworm pressure in many small gram fields. So the potential for out breaks this year may depend largely on spring conditions. As with any pest, the specialist says it is important to detect ar myworms while they’re still small and easy to control. The first three instars feed only on the outer sur face of leaves and cause no damage. Larvae more than M:-inch long feed heavily on leaf blades and cut off stems just below gram uality Building MERVIN MILLER IHSUL ATION Distributor For FIBERGLASS ROLLS BLOWN IN ★ ★ ' ** * illf ■t-s, 1 $ SALES Call us for low prices - (717)354-7561 Plant Height (Inches) 3 to 6 4 to 8 6 to 16 Armyworm 7 KEENER RD., LITITZ, PA. 17543 PH: (717) 626-5204 Colors In Stock • White • Gold • Brown • Tan • Silo Blue • Red • Avocado Green • Plain Galvanized • Light Green heads. Such damage can result m total yield loss. When scouting for armyworms, be sure to check for small larvae on field edges and in lodged areas. No. Aphids/ Linear Ft. of Row 50 to 100 100 to 300 300 to 700 % Look under debris ahd at the base of plants as well. Scout one linear foot of area between two rows in at least 10 to 20 sites within a field Spray if you find one or more lar vae per one foot of row innerspace Grass sawfly outbreaks, unlike aphids and armyworms, have not been related to weather. Sawfly larvae are pale green, with a dark head and distinct white face. They begin to climb stems and feed when only half grown, while wheat is in the tiller to heading stages. Thus, a single sawfly larva is much more destructive than an ar myworm which only clips nearly ripe grain heads. Head and stem clipping usually peaks around May 10, approximately 10 days before armyworm activity starts. For this reason it’s very important to scout early for sawfly larvae. Sample a 5-foot-long area bet ween two rows in at least five loca tions with a field. Since high populations often occur along field edges, take at least one or two edge samples. Whalen says growers should treat when they find an average of two or more sawfly lar vae per 5 feet of row innerspace. Systems SKID LOADER BACKHOE SERVICE INSTALLATION WATER SEWER LINES Distributor For ALUMAX ALUMINUM ROOFING & SIDING COMPLETE POLE & OTHER BUILDINGS TRUSSES
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