55th annual meeting, October 22, 2015

Sandman Hotel, 32720 Simon Avenue, Abbotsford, British Columbia

1. Welcome and Introductions 1.1. Chair: Susanna Acheampong, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Kelowna 1.2. Secretary: Tracy Hueppelsheuser, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford 1.3. Meeting called to order at 8:00 am. 32 people participated in the entomology program, WCCP meeting, Thursday, Oct 22.

2. Additions to the agenda. None. Shift in times of Special Reports; moved Dave Gillespie to approximately 1:30.

3. Review and approval of the Minutes of 2014 WCCP Meeting: 3.1. Some minor edits to be completed by Shelley Barkley and reposted on WCCP website. 3.2. Minutes adopted; John Gavloski (MB) so moved, Scott Meers (AB) seconded. Carried.

4. Business Arising from the 2014 Minutes/meeting: 4.1. John Gavloski: New Terms of Reference are updated and posted on the WCCP webpage. 4.2. Resolutions from 2014 were submitted to Western Forum to be discussed on Friday October 23.

5. Appointment of WCCP Resolutions Committee for 2015-16: 5.1. John Gavloski and Scott Meers. 5.2. Ideas for resolutions include: how to address travel restrictions.

6. Provincial Insect Pest Summaries for 2015 (8:14-10 am). (Reports in Appendix A) 6.1. British Columbia; Susanna Acheampong 6.2. Alberta; Scott Meers 6.3. Saskatchewan; Tyler Wist 6.4. Manitoba; John Gavloski 6.5. Appoint provincial summarizers for 2016: 6.5.1. Same as 2015: Susanna Acheampong (BC), Scott Meers (AB), Scott Hartley (SK), John Gavloski (MB).

7. Provincial Entomology Research Summaries for 2015 (10:15 am -12:08 pm) (Reports in Appendix B) 7.1. British Columbia; compiled and presented by Bob Vernon (AAFC) 7.2. Alberta; compiled by Hector Carcamo (AAFC), presented by Scott Meers 7.3. Saskatchewan; compiled by Owen Olfert (AAFC), presented by Tyler Wist

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7.4. Manitoba; compiled and presented by John Gavloski 7.5. Appoint provincial summarizers for 2016: 7.5.1. Same as 2015: Bob Vernon for BC, Hector Carcamo for AB, Owen Olfert for SK, John Gavloski for MB. 7.5.2. The group welcomes photos or use of Powerpoint in the reports.

LUNCH

8. Special Presentation: Cannabis Production in Canada. Gina Rodriguez, AGRIMA-Botanicals, Maple Ridge, B.C. Main pests of indoor medical cannabis include powdery mildew, botrytis, penicillium, spider mites (not as big of an issue as diseases). Don’t want to spray, as humidity gets too high.

9. Agency Reports 9.1. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): David Holden, Western Canada Survey Biologist, Burnaby, B.C. Pests and issues mentioned: Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, Japanese beetle, Khapra beetle, apple maggot. Future: possible use of drones in area-wide surveys, and vegetation surveys.

9.2. Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA): Handout of recently registered and emergency registrations for October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015. 9.2.1. New active ingredients or major new uses include (3 a.i.s):  Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai (XenTari WG) for various leps,  Momfluorothrin (Flying and Crawling Insect Spray) for domestic pests,  Spinosad (Ortho Home Defense Max Bait Stations) for ants. 9.2.2. User Requested Minor Use Label Expansions (URMULEs) (8 a.i.s, and many more crops and pests): Abamectin (Agri-Mek), Chlorantraniliprole (Coragen), Lambda-cyhalothrin (Matador, Warrior), Mineral oil (Purespray Green), Spinetoram (Delegate), Spinosad (Entrust and Success), Spirotetramat (Movento). 9.2.3. There were 11 emergency registrations in 2015 for arthropod pests and one for corvids: spotted wing drosophila on fruit crops, fleas on prairie dogs, interior plant scapes, sheep keds, and sea lice. 9.2.4. See “Decisions and Updates” and “Policies and Guidelines” on the PMRA website for more information.

9.3. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Center: 9.3.1. Marilyn Dykstra, Pesticide Risk Reduction Program, Ottawa: National Crop Profiles updating continues. About 30 are done. Marilyn will be seeking help with updating from participants at this meeting. Biopesticides lead is Tobias Langle. See PMC website for details.

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Marilyn’s written report:

Update from AAFC Pesticide Risk Reduction Program, Oct 22-23, 2015 Note: Complete information on in the items listed below can be found on the PMC web page, www.agr.gc.ca/pmc. Active strategies: The Program currently has six active risk reduction strategies: Cabbage Maggot (Shai Ben-Shalom) Cucurbit downy mildew (Shai Ben-Shalom) Root insect pests of carrot, parsnip and onion (Marcia Hooper) Integrated weed management in field vegetables (Cezarina Kora) Foliar insect pests of prairie field crops (Cezarina Kora) Soil fumigant alternatives for ginseng replant disease (Cezarina Kora)

Two new strategies are being initiated this year on priority pest management issues: Insect pests of soft berry production systems (C. Kora) Insect pests of ornamental nursery and landscape plants (M. Hooper)

Completed strategies: The updated Reduced Risk Management of Wireworm strategy document has been published. (L. Cass) A factsheet highlighting some of the key deliverables of the Greenhouse Floriculture strategy is in development. (M. Hooper)

9.3.2. Karen Bedford, Minor use update, Summerland. More than 100 minor use projects on many crops.

10. Product Updates 10.1. DuPont, Scott Gomes. Exirel is ‘less soft’ than Coragen on pollinators. No activity on stink bugs.

11. Special Reports 11.1. David Gillespie, AAFC, Agassiz, B.C. Biological control as a tool for managing invasive species – opportunities, issues and constraints. Pests discussed include European chafer, swede midge, lily leaf beetle, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted wing Drosophila, European corn borer. Future: molecular strategies, such as RNAi, sterility genes, enhancing floral nectaries for conservation of biological control agents, etc.

11.2. Robert Higgins, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, B. C. European Fire Ants (EFA) and other stinging ants in B.C. EFA: territorial, high density nests, overtakes all other ant species in an area. Monitoring using apple slices on the ground as bait is a useful monitoring tool. While control is extremely difficult and no good methods are yet established, one control method shows promise:

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submerge nesting soil in a bucket of low concentration permethrin solution, and then putting the soil back; queens cannot re-establish a nest in that soil. Studies continue.

11.3. John Gavloski, Manitoba Agriculture. Landscape ecology/ biodiversity in agricultural areas; project underway, Habitat Conservation Working Group. For further information, contact Greg Sekulic with the Canola Council of Canada who chairs the Working Group. More information about the Working Group can be found within this article:

http://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/2015/05/19/new-working-group-gears-up-to-get-answers-about-habitat- conservation/

12. WCCP Guide 12.1. Review of Chapter editors: John Gavloski. There are 8 chapters in the Main Directory (2012- 2015), and 5 chapters in the Archives Directory (older). Need to update these if possible. Can add scouting, bios, biology, thresholds, etc. Pesticide lists and recommendations: these get out of date quickly, so may not need to add. Suggest linking to the pages online which are kept up to date, like Production Guides, etc. Include references and links as needed.

13. New Business: Next meeting in Saskatchewan, Moose Jaw? Third week of October. Local organizing committee will handle details.

14. Election of 2016 WCCP Executive: Participants from Saskatchewan include: Scott Hartley, Tyler Wist, Owen Olfert, representatives of the Canola Council.

15. Resolutions: Travel? Will be presented at the Annual Meeting on October 23.

16. Adjournment: Tyler Wist so moved, John Gavloski seconded, at 4:50 pm.

A big thank you to all participants and presenters!

Appendix A. Provincial Reports

BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

2015 INSECT PEST REPORT

WESTERN COMMITTEE ON CROP PESTS

October 21-23, 2015, Abbotsford, British Columbia

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SUMMARY

Grasshoppers were a problem in some areas of Interior B.C. Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii continues to be a challenging pest for tree fruit and berry growers. The highest numbers of spotted wing drosophila was recorded in 2015 compared to previous years due to a mild winter in 2014 and an early spring with warm temperatures. SWD adults were monitored with Scentry and Trece baits in Interior B.C. in 2015. The Scentry bait was more attractive to SWD compared to Trece bait. Flatheaded apple borers were detected in young apple blocks in the Okanagan and Similkamen valleys. Aphids were an issue in fruit trees, ornamentals, and leafy vegetables due to moisture stress and high temperatures. B.C. remains free from Swede midge. B.C. Interior remains free of brown marmorated stink bugs. Two brown marmorated stink bugs were collected from a property in Rosedale, B.C. in October 2015. However, no brown marmorated stink bugs were found in survey traps located from Abbotsford to Richmond.

FORAGE CROPS

Flea beetles were the main pest of concern in canola in the B.C. Peace.

Grasshoppers were a serious issue in some dry and hot interior regions: Grand Forks, Rock Creek, Spences Bridge, Kamloops, Williams Lake, and Prince George. Grasshoppers were a new issue in the Vanderhoof region where damage was reported in forage and some grain crops. In the B.C. Peace, grasshoppers were not an issue this season unlike last year where they caused major issues.

Lygus bug populations were fairly high in some areas of the B.C. Peace.

HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Aphids were an issue in fruit trees, ornamentals, and leafy vegetables such as kale and other brassicas due to moisture stress and high temperatures.

Apple clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis populations are expanding to different areas in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. There are research projects to monitor and develop control techniques in B.C. Interior. Delegate, Success, Entrust, and Rimon are registered for the control of apple clearwing moth.

Apple leaf curling midge, Dasineura mali: there is an increase in the incidence of apple leaf curling midge in apple orchards. Surveys are underway for naturally occurring biological control agents in coastal and interior apple growing areas.

Apple Maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella: A limited survey was conducted in the Fraser Valley in 2013-2015 in commercial apple orchards and backyard trees to better understand pest biology and impacts on apple production in this region. Apple maggot is established in coastal B.C. and commercial coastal apple growers are successfully managing this pest. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sets up about 430 traps in the interior of B.C. for apple maggot detection and to maintain export markets for B.C. apples. Apple maggot is not present in the interior commercial apple growing regions of B.C. A single apple maggot female was found on a CFIA survey trap in crab apple in a residential area in West Kelowna in September 2015. CFIA has collected fruit samples from host trees in the area for analyses. 5

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys surveys were conducted in Interior B.C. in 2014 and 2015. To date no brown marmorated stink bugs have been detected in Interior B.C. Two brown marmorated stink bugs were collected from a property in Rosedale, BC in October 2015. However, no brown marmorated stink bugs were found in survey traps located from Abbotsford to Richmond. Traps were in place from August to October. The two detections are considered interceptions since there is not yet any sign of establishment. Members of the public phone and email every fall with stink bug questions; all inquiries have been negative in 2015. BMSB look-a-likes often reported are Western Conifer Seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) and other common stink bugs: conchuela stink bugs Chlorochroa ligata, brown stink bugs Eustichus conspersus, and rough stink bugs Brochymena spp.

Flatheaded borers, Chrysobothris sp were detected in young apple plantings in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. Surveys are in progress to determine the distribution of the pest and the species is being identified by CFIA.

Fruitworms: surveys for cranberry fruitworm (Acrobasis vacinii) and cherry fruitworm (Grapholita packardii) were conducted from May to September (2013- 2015) in cranberry and blueberry fields in the Fraser Valley. These pests are sporadic and of emerging concern to B.C. Though these pests are not widespread in BC berry crops, they are increasing in profile due to recent export opportunities to Korea and China, where they are regulated pests.

Root weevils: continue to cause chronic damage to blueberry fields and other woody crops, with limited effective control tools or approaches for perennial field grown crops. There are several Otiorhynchus spp, including O. sulcatus, black vine weevil that are of major concern. Recently a new species, green immigrant leaf weevil, Polydrusus sericeus, has been spreading in blueberry fields, which had previously only been confirmed in eastern North America

Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii: A comparative bait study was conducted in Interior B.C. to determine the best bait for monitoring SWD. Scentry lure caught significantly more SWD compared to Trece lure. The highest levels of SWD numbers was recorded in B.C. in 2015 compared to previous years due to a mild winter in 2014 and an early spring with warm temperatures. The 2015 growing season was about two- three weeks early. Overall, SWD appeared to be relatively well managed by berry and cherry growers, likely due to well-timed sprays, harvesting fruit on time, and no rain to complicate crop management in Coastal B.C. Emergency registration insecticides for spotted wing drosophila control in 2015 were Delegate, Entrust, Ripcord, Capture and Malathion. Exirel is registered for SWD control in blueberries and stone fruit. For further information refer to http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/swd.htm.

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii: Pheromone trap surveys have been ongoing in commercial cole crop fields from May-Sept, 2009-2015 in the Fraser Valley. Based on the survey results, B.C. remains free from Swede midge.

Wireworms were a problem in sweet corn and potatoes earlier in the season on Vancouver Island.

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Balsam woolly adelgid female with eggs Balsam woolly adelgid damage to Christmas tree

Heavy trunk infestation of balsam woolly adelgid Flatheaded borer larva

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Balsam woolly adelgid, Adelges piceae, a regulated pest in British Columbia, was detected on some Abies Christmas tree farms in the Okanagan. Surveys began in April 2015, and will continue in 2016-2017.

Serpentine leafminer is an expanding issue for nurseries growing aspen and poplar trees in the Okanagan.

EXTENSION PROGRAMS

Publications: Postcards on brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, and Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii are available from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, and are used for outreach to growers and the public. Spotted wing drosophila factsheets and brochures were updated. Check the Ministry of Agriculture website for further information: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/entomology.htm 7

Okanagan Sterile Insect Release Program: The OKSIR Program returned to full area-wide release of sterile codling moths in 2015 after 4 years of applying mating disruption in the northern half of the Program area. As a result the average % fruit damage decreased significantly from 2011-2014 levels, and the Program achieved its performance goal of 90% of the pome fruit acreage with ≤0.2% damage which it last achieved in 2010. The 2015 growing season started about 2 weeks earlier than in 2014 and remained 2-3 weeks ahead because of the hotter temperatures through the summer. As a result two full and a partial third generation of codling moth adults was produced for the first time in recent memory. Prior to the OKSIR Program growers would have applied 3-6 sprays against three generations, but less than one spray was estimated to have been applied on average to every orchard based on the estimated proportion of control product sales targeting codling moth in 2015. The OKSIR program was awarded the 2015 International IPM Award of Excellence at the 8th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Compiled by Susanna Acheampong, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, 200 - 1690 Powick Road, BC, V1X 7G5, Phone: (250) 861-7681, [email protected] and Tracy Hueppelsheuser, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, 1767 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford, BC, V3G 2M3, Phone: (604) 556-3031, [email protected], with contributions from Ken Awmack, Geneve Jasper, Jim Forbes, Julie Robinson, Arlan Benn, Lavona Liggins Wayne Haddow, Jill Hatfield, Rob Kline, Darrell Smith, Carl Withler, Dave Woodske and Hugh Philip. ******************************************************************************** Alberta Crop Insect Update 2015

Report Compiled by Scott Meers [email protected]

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Crop Diversification Centre South 301 Horticultural Station Road East, Brooks, AB T1R 1E6

SUMMARY

Poor crop growing conditions greatly compounded insect issues this year. This was especially true with flea beetles and cutworms in canola. Grasshoppers were a large concern in some areas and this was also exacerbated by the poor growing conditions. Wheat midge did not show up as a major problem anywhere in Alberta although producers in the Peace region remain on edge about its potential as a pest. Bertha armyworm trap catches were extremely low throughout the province. Pea leaf weevil expanded its range and severity in central Alberta and is now a serious concern for fababean producers throughout much that area.

OILSEED INSECTS

The cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus) occurred above economic threshold throughout its “traditional” range in southern Alberta. In contrast to 2014, the traditional area had many fields that were well above threshold. Canola acres were significantly reduced in the south, perhaps this increase in population was a concentration of existing populations on a smaller land base. Scouting and spraying of early planted fields are routine management practices for canola producers south of the Trans-Canada Highway. CSPW was found in central Alberta along the Highway 2 corridor as far north as Lacombe. This is a significant, but somewhat 8 expected, increase in the range of this insect. Northward expansions in range have happened before but not as far north as Lacombe. It will be interesting to see if this expansion establishes or dies out as other northern range expansions have done in the past.

Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) moth catches were low to very low across the province in 2015. A total of 255 monitoring sites were set up thanks to excellent cooperation with the agricultural industry. Of the 255 locations, only 4 showed an elevated risk level above the low level. The maximum trap count was an average of 414 in the County of Forty Mile. Even though numbers were elevated in Fourty Mile, there were no fields sprayed specifically for bertha armyworm. There was a hotspot in Mackenzie County (northern Peace region) that wasn’t picked up in the monitoring due to a lack of traps in that area. There was 10,000 acres being sprayed in that area despite crops being in poor condition. A couple trends in the trapping was lower numbers of cooperators due to the perceived lack of risk this year and cooperators not following through with the trap counts after a couple weeks of very low catches. We have some education to do with cooperators about the value of low numbers in observing long term trends in the population.

Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella). There were 35 trap locations established across Alberta in 2015 and monitored from April 19 to June 6. Several locations had very early moth catches of moderate to low numbers. Larvae numbers had started to increase very significantly in many locations throughout the province at flowering time but very few fields were near threshold levels by swathing. Some fields in the Vermilion area were high enough to consider spraying but very little, if any spraying actually took place.

Striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata) caused significant concern through much of central Alberta especially but not limited to west of Edmonton. The damage was in part due to very slow growing canola. P. cruciferae was not noted to be the problem except for an area in the extreme SW corner of the province near Pincher Creek. There was some confusion interpreting the thresholds. In the fall many reports were made of flea beetles on late and volunteer canola. Most of these were crucifer flea beetles and it is unclear what this might mean for forecasting numbers of the more problematic striped flea beetles next year. P. cruciferae was also showing up in high numbers in the fall on sticky card sampling carried out by Jim Broatch at Lethbridge.

Lygus bugs were less of a concern than in previous years in the central Alberta Highway 2 corridor. No good explanation for why as it should have been a good year for Lygus based on the dry early season but perhaps the cool start of the spring delayed the usual explosion that happens during the mid to late pod stage. Several years of producer and agronomist experience in the Highway 2 corridor seems to indicate that yield loss may be less than that indicated by threshold charts, particularly with good soil moisture and absence of feeding at levels that create sticky plant surfaces. This has prompted extension agronomists to encourage higher thresholds. Further research is needed to confirm this. There still was significant spraying although producers are much more reluctant to spray unless numbers are very high (4 to 5 per sweep). Lygus in canola at the pod stage remain a concern in south central Alberta.

Root maggots (Delia spp.) were common throughout central Alberta again this year but not at the levels seen in previous years.

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Cutworms were a problem especially in but not restricted to canola. Much of the problem appears to be related to extremely slow growing crops. The dominate species was redbacked cutworm (Euxoa ochrogaster). There was at least one confirmed report of darksided cutworm causing crop damage (Euxoa messoria).

Swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii ) monitoring was set up as a surveillance program in canola in 2015. Swede midge was not found in any of the traps at 24 sites monitored over the course of the season (supplies for 39 traps were sent out and 24 returned cards for evaluation). Swede midge surveying by AAFC detected visual canola symptoms of swede midge damage at two sites right on the border south of Lloydminster. Symptoms were accompanied by the presence of very low numbers of swede midge larvae at both these sites but a subsequent follow-up survey did not detect further swede midge in 2015.

Leafhopper numbers appeared to be higher this year although there was no concerted survey and there were no reports of concerns with aster yellows in canola.

There were several reports of leaf miners in canola but I am not aware of any work done to identify the species involved. This is something that should be followed up more aggressively in the future.

Frost or near frost conditions resulted in a fairly large amount of spraying as canola crops were trying to come into flower. This was in an area along the foothills and well out into the prairies between Claresholm and Red Deer. Farmers and some agrologists were quick to blame the loss of flowers to insects although in most cases very few insects were present. It appears that the flower abortion was caused by temperatures that fell below or close to freezing after a stretch of near record high temperatures.

CEREAL INSECTS

Wireworm (Elateridae). There were lots of concerns about wireworms again this season. The larvae are now being found easily in most fields if you look hard enough. Generally producers were reasonably happy with the control provided by current options this year but most are looking forward to options that will reduce populations rather than just control damage. Generally wireworms appear to be more widespread although not always causing significant crop emergence issues. There are a number of producers with very severe problems that have become a perennial issue.

Wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus) is still at low levels throughout its traditional range. Our annual survey showed very few fields with elevated levels of sawfly although there appears to be some resurgence in Willow Creek and western Lethbridge counties. Also a report from Paintearth county in southcentral Alberta of low levels of sawfly related cutting there. This was a build-up year and a slight overall increase in sawfly damage as compared with the previous year.

Wheat midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana) was not a major concern in 2015 with very few acres sprayed. Once again we had a group of volunteers monitoring emergence with pheromone traps. There is a lot of work to do with these traps if we want them to do anything more than indicate the start of emergence. Serious damage and yield losses in 2013 in the eastern Peace region still has producers on edge about the potential for damage. At this point encouraging producers to use midge tolerant wheat appears to be the most successful and sustainable management plan, especially when combined with other approaches as part of an IPM plan.

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We perform soil core surveying over the entire province and will process over 300 samples again this year. Initial results from our fall survey are showing a surprising increase in wheat midge populations in many areas of the province.

There were no reports of serious cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) in 2014 as populations are pretty much all less than threshold. Damage typical of cereal leaf beetle was reported from a wide range in central and southern Alberta although at very low to low levels. There was a report of cereal leaf beetle damage at Cold Lake which is a major range expansion into northeast central Alberta. Thanks to Hector Carcamo and Cheryl Chelle for rearing parasitoids of cereal leaf beetle for release at several sites in central Alberta

There were some reports of cereal aphids in a few fields in southern Alberta and also in experimental soft wheat plots that also were attacked by wheat curl mite (and its virus). It was unclear if the aphids had the potential to cause damage and no spraying was reported. Most of the reports were English grain aphids (Sitobion avenae).

Wheat head armyworm (Dargida diffusa previously Faronta diffusa) was commonly reported from southern and central Alberta once again this year. Wheat head armyworm was found in plots at AAFC-Beaverlodge and also was reported from near Fort St. John BC was received in 2015. This pest is typically very spotty and seldom a problem in the same area two years in a row.

Leaf miners were noted in low numbers in wheat fields in central Alberta. This appears to be Cerodontha laterali, the same species as was identified by Ken Fry several years ago in the Olds area.

PULSE CROP INSECTS

Pea leaf weevil (Sitona lineatus) damage was again much more widespread in our annual survey. In central Alberta, where pea leaf weevil populations were characterized as low to moderate in 2014, very high levels of damage were observed in many fields in 2015. The increase in fababean acres appears to be driving the range expansion and is accompanied by increasing severity of damage due to pea leaf weevil. Many questions are being asked about the importance of this insect as a pest of peas and fababeans in central Alberta.

Two surveillance sites were set up for Western Bean Cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) and none were found.

Lygus damage in fababeans was very common again this year. Downgrading due to lygus feeding resulted in reduced quality for many fababean producers. Lygus continues to be a major concern with limited management options in this crop. It appears to move into the fababeans late as other crops in the area begin to dry down.

Very high aphid numbers were reported in the Foremost area on lentils (pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum)

Caragana beetles (Lytta nuttalli) were reported feeding in faba beans in southern Alberta causing some concern to the grower, but he decided not to spray in the end.

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GRASS CROPS, PASTURES AND GENERAL INSECTS

In alfalfa there was a concern with alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica). Their populations are causing concern in hay (if left late) and alfalfa seed crops through either poor control with existing registrations or low rates of insecticides. Alfalfa weevil occurred early and in high numbers again in 2015. Seed producers reported serious problems controlling alfalfa weevil in the Brooks area.

European skipper (Thymelicus lineola) was common in central and southern Alberta again this past summer but not at the levels noticed in 2014. We continue to watch this potential pest of timothy hay yet economic levels of damage have not been reported at this point. It would be interesting to follow up with a study but it is suspected that parasitism is increasing. For the first time European skipper has been reported from the Peace region.

Clover seed producers continue to contend with the red clover casebearer (Coleophora deauratella) which remains present by the hundreds in pheromone traps deployed in the Peace River region despite red clover acres falling to a historical low. Coleophora deauratella, C. mayrella, and C. trifolii were easily found in volunteer patches of clovers and C. trifolii were easier to find on sweet clover in 2015 than the previous five years. Parasitism has proven challenging to estimate for the C. deauratella owing to high overwintering mortality. Even so, five species have been singly-reared so research continues to characterize their impact and augment what seems to be very low parasitism rates. Alsike clover acres have replaced red clover the past six years in the Peace River region but seed prices have strengthened so seed growers continue to need support in managing lesser clover leaf weevil, Tychius picirostris, T. meliloti, as well as the casebearers.

Potato Psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) was found in Alberta. A single potato psyllid was initially found on a card collected by Promax (a consultant group working with growers) in late July to early August, followed by three more collected at sites monitored by University of Lethbridge staff as part of the Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip Monitoring Program (contact [email protected] to participate or receive sampling cards). Subsequent sampling by these and other samplers found a total of more than 25 potato psyllids at six other locations, at very low levels, as well as an earlier collection of potato psyllid. None of the potato psyllids collected so far carried Lso, the Zebra chip pathogen.

Once again there were several reports of slug damage in various crops. The most serious concerns were once again in canola. This is most likely the common grey garden slug (Derocerus reticulates).

A survey in cooperation with the Canadian Grain Commission is finding some interesting information on lessor grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica). It opens some questions as to what it means when we find it in the traps outside grain handling facilities but it is not showing up in grain shipments.

Grasshopper numbers grew in almost all areas of the province. There were serious issues with grasshoppers in some locations in northwest central Alberta and parts of the Peace region. Two-striped grasshopper and Clear-winged grasshopper increased in scattered sites in southern and central Alberta. Compilation of the grasshopper survey is still underway as the Agriculture Service Boards are still sending in their final reports from the August survey. Samples from a wide range of sites were collected and will be analyzed over the

12 winter to give us a better picture of the species involved. Dawson’s grasshopper, of low pest status, increased in southern Alberta, and care must be taken to avoid mistaking it for other species.

HORTICULTURAL CROP INSECTS

(Thanks to Jim Broatch, Robert Spencer, Dustin Morton and Mark Cutts)

Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) was found across Alberta (Peace Region, Central and Southern) in low numbers but in several crops including raspberry, saskatoon and cherry. Limited fruit samples only had emergence from raspberry. Trap collections were maintained from May to mid-September, utilizing both Contech (ACV) and Solida style (Dome Rosso) traps with Trece SWD dual lures.

Brown marmorated stinkbug (Halyomorpha halys). None confirmed in trap collections, but several reports from urban and rural sites. Dead-Inn Grower traps with combo lures were used for monitoring. All stinkbugs collected/photographed were saved and will be sent to Ontario (AAFC) for ID.

Much curiosity/reports regarding Cosmopepla lintneriana, the twice-stabbed stink bug, or wee harlequin bug. One site with lots of adults, but they were feeding in hemp nettle heads and not the crop.

Swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii ) in horticultural crops. Jackson traps with Pheronet pheromone used with no samples confirmed in traps. No obvious damage reports or collections. Several suspicious samples were sent to Saskatoon.

Root maggot study (Delia spp.). Puparia collections from the Peace, northern, central and southern Alberta. Southern Alberta sites were very low in numbers. Most collections were from cabbage. Some larval collections but primarily puparia, which were sent to Dr. Josee Owen in NB for emergence and testing for resistance. Adult trapping on sticky cards were mostly D. radicum and D. platura. Intensive sampling will take place in 2016 looking for D. floralis and D. planipalpis. Aleochara (rove beetle parasitoid of root maggots) were observed at all horticultural collections.

Currant fruit fly Euphranta canadensis (formerly known as Epochra canadensis). Yellow sticky cards with ammonium acetate and bicarb lures were used. Several fruit flies were captured but not CFF. The fruit fly captured most often was the Canada thistle seed head maggot, Terillia ruficauda.

Lygus were in high numbers in any sweeps in horticultural crops. Early season high numbers in canola. Lygus attack virtually most fruit and horticulture crops, or are at least present in most.

Lepidoptera: Cabbage whites (Pieris rapae) and diamondback moths and larvae (Plutella xylostella) were commonly found in most Brassica crops.

Cutworms: some severe damage in vegetables in the Sylvan Lake area, mostly Redbacked (Euxoa ochrogaster). In general, we found a scattered few in most field crop fields.

Apple curculio (Anthonomus quadrigibbus) still found in fruit sampling in saskatoons.

13

New potential pests: Maple leaf cutter moth (Paraclemensia acerifoliella) in the Athabasca area on Saskatoon and Polydrusus sericeus, the green leaf weevil which was common in the Lethbridge area.

Thanks to those that contributed to the compilation of this report: Shelley Barkley, Jim Broatch, Jennifer Otani, Dan Johnson, Harry Brook, May Evendon, Lars Andreassen, Keith Gabert, Norm Flore, Carrie Butterwick, Hector Carcamo, Robert Spencer, Dustin Morton, Mark Cutts, Andre Lacoursiere and Jenny Ellert.

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2015 Saskatchewan Insect Report 55th Annual meeting - Western Committee on Crop Pests October 22, 2015 Sandman Hotel, Abbotsford, British Columbia

Summary

Saskatchewan experienced an earlier, warmer spring in 2015 compared with the previous three growing seasons. Dry conditions however, in most regions of the Province were less favourable to crop growth with some areas not receiving significant rainfall until well into July. With higher temperatures flea beetles and cutworms were reported in seedling crops in May. Grasshoppers and wheat midge required control measures depending on the area of the Province later in June and July respectively. The most frequent insect pest reported in July and early August were aphids in most crops.

Cereal Insects

Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae – Oulema melanopus L. - cereal leaf beetle – Surveys for cereal leaf beetle were conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - a winter wheat survey in late May and a spring wheat survey from mid-June to early July. No over-wintering adult beetles were found in the May survey of 16 fields. Of the 33 fields sampled in the spring wheat survey, cereal leaf beetle larvae were found in 2 locations, in near Langenburg (East Central Region) and near Wapella (South East). No cereal leaf beetles were detected in the southwest in the survey of spring wheat. AAFC released T. julis parasitoids at the Langenburg site in early July.

Diptera: Cecidomyiidae - Sitodiplosis mosellana (Gehin) - wheat midge – The wheat midge is an annual pest of wheat in Saskatchewan. The risk map released in January 2015 identified very high populations in the Southeast and East Central Regions. Spraying for the wheat midge was reported in these areas primarily. Depending on the area of the Province staging of the wheat (susceptibility) and / or dry conditions were major factors affecting the need for control measures. As identified by AAFC, wheat midge will not advance into the pupal stage if an area did not receive greater than 25 mm of precipitation prior to the end of May. If this requirement was not met, later and more erratic midge emergence will result. The use of midge tolerant wheat has grown to include approximately one third of Prairie wheat acres and has reduced insecticide application for this pest. A risk map for wheat midge in 2016 is being developed based on soil samples collected in the fall of 2015.

Thysanoptera: Thrips - Thrips were reported in spring wheat in June and into July. This has not been a common issue in the Province and based on U.S. literature no control is recommended as it is suggested the

14 thrips will migrate to barley as a more preferred host when possible though there were no reports in barley. No control is recommended in wheat.

Homoptera: Aphididae – aphids - Sitobion avenae (F.) - English grain aphid Rhopalosiphon padi L. – bird cherry oat aphid and; Sitobion avenae (F.)- Aphids were reported in various crops throughout the Province from mid-July and into August. Many reports of aphids in cereal crops were received in the last two weeks of July including in canaryseed (south). Often the description was of an orange or reddish coloured aphid in wheat. These were identified as a rare red morph of the normally green English grain aphid. Oat birdcherry and greenbug aphids were also found in cereal crops in Saskatchewan.

Oilseed Insects

Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae – Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), P. striolata (F.) and Psylliodes punctulata Melsh. – crucifer flea beetle, striped flea beetle, hop flea beetle – The warm and especially dry spring resulted in some of the highest flea beetle pressure in observed in canola and mustard crops than experienced in many areas for several years. Although temperatures were higher during the day, dry conditions and `low overnight temperatures resulted in slow growth and more vulnerable seedlings. Since seed treatments have a limited period of efficacy, foliar insecticides were required in some cases. The “shift” in species composition identified in surveys over the past decade noted the increase in striped flea beetles especially in southern regions. Reports in 2015 suggested primarily striped flea beetles in canola in eastern Saskatchewan. Research at AAFC suggests that monitoring of flea beetle species using sticky cards may be a useful management practice in the future since efficacy can vary between seed treatment products with respect to flea beetle species.

Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchinae – Ceutorhyncus obstrictus (Marsham) – cabbage seedpod weevil - A survey was conducted for the cabbage seedpod weevil in early July. This insect pest continues to expand its range north and east out of the southwest. The most severe infestations are still most notable in the southwest but insect application for control of the cabbage seedpod weevil was reported across the south to east of Regina. Infestations north of the South Saskatchewan River are nearing economic levels but insecticide control has not been as common as south of the river.

Meloidae: blister beetles (Lytta nuttalli Say– Nuttall blister beetle most common species noted) Blister beetles are not common crop pests but in 2015 there were reports of heavy feeding on canola blossoms. Infestations are typically concentrated in small areas of a field but can be significant in those areas.

Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – cutworms – Cutworms were noted in flax in the West Central Region in mid-May.

Plutellidae - Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) - diamondback moth - Diamondback moths are monitored using wind trajectories and with pheromone traps on the ground. Winds favourable to bringing in the moths from southern origins arrived in late April and May. The pheromone traps did not pick up any significant numbers of moths in 2015 and no insecticide application was reported for diamondback moth larvae.

Noctuidae – Hadeninae – Mamestra configurata Walker - bertha armyworm Bertha Armyworm were monitored by cooperators using pheromone traps from the first week in June until the first week in August in 2015. Moths emerged earlier than the last few years due to the higher spring temperature accumulation. As expected bertha armyworm populations are at the low end of a cycle and the number of moths collected in traps remained low with only a few of the 160 traps set up exceeding 400 moths in total. 15

Thysanoptera: Thrips - Thrips were reported in canola in early July. Although thrips will cause twisting or “pig- tailing” of canola pods there has been no significant economic loss noted in research and no insecticide control recommended.

Diptera: Anthomyiidae – Delia radicum (L.) – cabbage maggot - Root maggots are typically more common with moist conditions but there were a few reports of these pests in high numbers in several areas in the spring of 2015. There are no viable chemical controls for root maggots. Heavier seeding rates are recommended for 2016 as a management option if canola is being grown and root maggot pressure was high this year.

Cecidomyiidae - Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) - swede midge - The swede midge is being studied by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to determine distribution, damage, biology and potential management options for this pest in Saskatchewan and on the Prairies. Distribution of the swede midge was surveyed through visual inspections and with pheromone traps. The insect was found in canola fields across the northern crop growing regions from Nipawin and Carrot River in the northeast to near Lloydminster in the northwest. The highest populations still appear to be in the northeast area of the Province. Yield loss due to the swede midge in Saskatchewan has yet to be determined.

Insects in Other Crops

Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – cutworms - most common species – Euxoa ochrogaster (Guenee) - redbacked cutworm; Agrotis orthogonia Morrison / pale western cutworm; Feltia jaculifera (Gn.) dingy cutworm; Lacinipolia renigera (Stephens) bristly cutworm – Cutworms were first reported in crops in early May. The main crops affected included lentil and pea in the southwest, lentil in central Saskatchewan (Elbow) and the West Central Region (Kindersley).

Dry Pea - Coleoptera: Curculionidae - Sitona lineatus (L.) – pea leaf weevil - A pea leaf weevil survey was conducted in in pea fields in SW Saskatchewan in late May and early June. Faba bean is also a host but is not commonly grown in the SW. Ninety-one fields were surveyed for leaf notching attributed to the weevil. The highest levels of damage were identified north of Maple Creek near the Alberta border with moderate damage noted to the east and in the Swift Current area. Low levels of pea leaf weevil damage were noted as far east as RM 163 (Mortlach area near Moose Jaw). Slight damage was noted up to the South Saskatchewan River but not on the north side in 2015.

Lentil, pea and canaryseed

Homoptera: Aphididae – aphids – Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harr.) – pea aphid in pea and lentil- Aphids were reported in various crops throughout the Province from mid-July and into August. The first reports were in lentil in the southwest. Pea and lentil were the most common crops infested and faba bean (east) also had high populations of aphids in some areas.

Lentil - Orthoptera: Acrididae – grasshoppers - various species - Two-striped grasshoppers (Melanoplus bivitattus) have been the most dominant species in recent years for most of the Province.) The risk from grasshoppers was highest in the southwest based on the 2015 forecast map. Lentil was the most common crop reported where the economic threshold is low (two grasshoppers per square metre). Green lentil was especially monitored due to the projected higher value of the commodity. Grasshopper infestations were also 16 reported in pastures in the East Central Region (Yorkton / Melville) and North Central near Batoche. One of the most unusual infestations was in the northeast, in hemp. These latter areas are not normal areas of high grasshopper infestation on most years. The extended fall has been conducive for egg-laying female grasshoppers. A risk map for 2016 is being prepared based on approximately 1190 sites observed by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance field staff.

Brassica vegetable crops

Lepidoptera: Pieridae – Pieris rapae (Linnaeus) - cabbage butterfly - High populations of cabbage butterflies were reported across Saskatchewan in early August. Although not considered to be a problem on canola if plant growth is healthy and the larvae are not feeding on pods. However the extremely high numbers were of concern especially in commercial cruciferous vegetable production.

Forage Crops

Coleoptera: Curculionidae – Hypera nigrirostris (F.) - lesser clover leaf weevil - There was lesser clover leaf weevil damage to clover crops in the Northeast Region of the Province (Melfort, Nipawin) reported in June. Established red clover crops were most affected having “some to a lot of damage” and in many cases insecticide was applied. Decis® is registered for suppression of the weevil. Alsike clover was also infested, but does not tend to suffer much damage.

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Manitoba Insect Pest Report - 2015

Presented to: The Western Committee on Crop Pests October 22, 2015 Abbotsford, British Columbia

Compiled by: John Gavloski; Entomologist; Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Box 1149, Carman, MB, ROG OJO Phone: (204) 745-5668 Fax: (204) 745-5690 [email protected]

Abbreviations used: The following abbreviations will be used in this document to indicate the following agricultural regions in Manitoba; NW=Northwest, SW=Southwest, C=Central, E=Eastern, I=Interlake.

Estimated acres: Estimated acres grown in Manitoba in 2015 (shown in brackets under each commodity title) are from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) 2015 Variety Market Share Report. The symbol ↑ indicates an increase in acres from 2014, whereas ↓ indicates a decrease in acres from 2014.

Summary: Flea beetles ((Phyllotreta spp.) in canola and cutworms were the insects of greatest concern in Manitoba crops in 2015. Alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) was at economically damaging levels in many alfalfa 17 fields, and armyworms (Mythimna unipuncta) were a concern in many small grain fields. Populations of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) were higher than the past few years. Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) got to economical levels in some soybean fields in August. High levels of natural enemies of soybean aphids were noted in some fields. Spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii) was a concern in many fruit crops from mid-July onwards.

Small Grain Cereals (Wheat (spring)-2,915,537 acres↑ + 4,695 acres organic↑ + 2,396 acres durum; Wheat (Winter)-171,190↓ + 1,344 acres organic; Barley-392,393 acres↑; Oats-463,594 acres↑ + 3,378 acres organic↑; Fall Rye- 68,077 acres↑; Triticale-3,631 acres↓)

Wireworms: There were some reports of wireworm damage to wheat in Central Manitoba.

Cutworms: Cutworms populations were generally still a concern in Manitoba in 2015.

Wheat midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana): Wheat midge was generally not a major concern in 2015. The only reports of insecticide applications for wheat midge were from western Manitoba, and only for a small amount of acres. In some regions, a lot of wheat was already flowering by the time of wheat midge emergence. Midge Tolerant varieties: There was a decrease in acres seeded to midge tolerant varieties in Manitoba in 2015, compared to 2014. The wheat midge resistant variety blends CDC Utmost VB, Vesper VB, Unity VB, and Goodeve VB were seeded on about 48,592 acres, about 1.9% of the red spring wheat acres in Manitoba in 2015 (based on MASC estimates). Smaller amounts of Fieldstar VB were also grown. About 2,039 acres of the prairie spring wheats Enchant VB and Conquer VB were seeded.

Sap Feeders

Aphids: There were no reports of aphids reaching economic levels in small grains. Barley yellow dwarf was reported on a small amount of acres in the central region.

Thrips: Some barley in the Central region was sprayed with insecticide for thrips.

Defoliators

Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers were a minor concern in small grains.

Armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta): Armyworms were a concern in many small grain fields. Most of the insecticide applications for armyworms occurred in July; by the end of July larvae were pupating and no longer an issue. In some fields it was the lodged areas where armyworm populations were high. Some head clipping in winter cereals was noted. Clusters of pupal cases of Cotesia (Braconidae), a parasitoid of armyworms, became very noticeable on the heads in many cereal fields in mid-July (from about July 10-20th). These were often misidentified as egg masses.

Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus): No economic populations of cereal leaf beetle were reported, however, the known range of cereal leaf beetles in Manitoba continues to expanded east through the Central region of Manitoba. New areas of Manitoba that cereal leaf beetle were found in 2015 include Austin (C), Portage la Prairie (C), and Carman (C). 18

From the field near Austin where cereal leaf beetle larvae were collected, 9 larvae were sent to Lethbridge, Alberta to determine if the parasitoid Tetrastichus julis (Eulophidae) was present in any of the larvae. Eight of the nine larvae were parasitized by T. julis. The nearest past releases of T. julis to this field were done near Treherne in 2013.

In early-July, a shipment of about 800 adult wasps of the parasitoid Tetrastichus julis (Eulophidae) was sent from Lethbridge, Alberta to Carman and released in various cereal fields. Populations of about 200 wasps were each released in fields of wheat near Roseisle (C), Rathwell (C), and Inglis (NW), and about 200 wasps were released in a field of oats near Carman (C). A second release of about 500 wasps of T. julis was distributed among 4 wheat fields near Notre Dame de Lourdes (C) and Roseisle (C) on July 20th. In October, about 200-300 cocoons containing T. julis were buried at the edge of fields near Carman and Rathwell, Manitoba (about 100- 150 cocoons buried at each location).

Corn (225,197 acres grain corn↓; 91,246 acres silage corn↑)

Cutworms: Cutworm damage to corn was reported from the Central and Eastern regions in early-June.

Wireworms: No damage to corn from wireworms was reported in 2015.

Seedcorn maggot (Delia platura): Although some seedcorn maggot were found in corn, there were no reports of levels that could damage plant stand.

European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis): Overall, populations of European corn borer appeared higher in 2015 than the past few years, and their presence was noted from several crops. Some insecticide applications to corn for corn borer management occurred in the Central region.

In 2015, acres of grain corn seeded to Bt varieties increased to about 44.9 %, and acres of silage corn seeded to Bt varieties was about 13.9%.

Percentage of acres of grain corn and silage corn seeded to Bt varieties in Manitoba. Year Grain Corn Silage Corn 2015 44.9 13.9 2014 42.9 15.1 2013 26.8 13.1 2012 31.2 12.8 2011 40.8 21.2 2010 54.9 17.7 2009 56.3 17.6 2008 58.7 19.0 2007 63.9 10.8 This data is from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Annual Variety Market Share Reports.

Northern corn rootworm (Diabrotica barberi): An established population of northern corn rootworm was found in a corn field in southwest Manitoba. The field has been in corn for many consecutive years, and the

19 field had severe lodging in 2014. Adult beetles were abundant in the field when examined in early-September. This is the first report of an established population of corn rootworm in Manitoba.

Corn stalk borer (Papaipema nebris): Some minor feeding from corn stalk borer was noted in a couple of corn fields in Roland (C) area.

Canola and Mustard (Argentine canola-3,160,998 acres↑; Polish canola-969 acres; Rapeseed-8,184 acres↓; Mustard-4,508 acres↓)

Cutworms: Cutworms were a concern in some canola fields in 2015, resulting in some insecticide applications.

Root Maggots (Delia spp.): There were some reports of root maggots being noted while agronomists examine canola roots. However, it is hard to know based on these reports if root maggot populations have increased or if the increase observance of root maggots is because more people are examining canola roots because of potential pathogen issues such as clubroot.

Sap Feeders

Lygus bugs (Lygus spp.): There were reports of some canola fields with economical levels of Lygus bugs in late- July and August. High levels of Lygus bug in canola were reported from the Northwest, Eastern and Interlake regions of Manitoba.

Aster Leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus): Levels of aster leafhoppers were low and not of concern in canola in 2015.

Swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii): Pheromone-baited traps were set up at 36 sites to trap and determine levels of swede midge in Manitoba in 2015. No swede midge were collected from the traps. Low levels of larvae were found in flower buds in less advanced canola in the Northwest in mid-August.

High or potentially economical levels of swede midge have never been documented in Manitoba.

Defoliators

Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.): Use of seed treatments to manage early-season flea beetle populations continues to be common. However, feeding damage to young plants at or above threshold levels, and additional use of foliar insecticides, was quite common. Some canola fields were reseeded because of high levels of damage from flea beetles, or a combination of flea beetle feeding and other stresses on the plants.

Bertha Armyworm (Mamestra configurata): Levels of bertha armyworm were low and uneconomical in 2015. There were no reports of control being needed.

Pheromone-baited traps to monitor adult moths of bertha armyworm were set up at 78 locations in Manitoba in 2015. The monitoring period was May 31st to July 25th. Cumulative moth counts all suggested low risk, with no traps catching more than 300 moths and getting to the uncertain risk category. Trap counts have been declining over the past couple of years, suggesting a decline in the population of bertha armyworm. By comparison, in 2013 31 out of 89 locations had cumulative trap counts greater than 300 (5 of these locations 20 having greater than 900 moths), and in 2014 2 out of 72 locations had cumulative trap counts greater than 300. Table 1 shows the highest trap counts for 2015.

Table 1. Highest cumulative counts of bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) moths in pheromone-baited traps in Manitoba in 2015. Nearest Region Trap Count Risk Category town Darlingford Pembina 264 Low Somerset Pembina 200 Low Alexander Southwest 192 Low Douglas Southwest 177 Low Inglis South 170 Low Parkland Roseland Southwest 111 Low Peak trap catches occurred in most traps during early or mid-July. The highest trap catch in a single week was 103 at a trap near Baldur on the week of June 28 – July 4th.

Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): Levels of diamondback moth were generally not economical. The only report of control for diamondback moth was the borders of a canola field treated for diamondback moth in the Northwest.

Pheromone-baited traps for adult moths were set up at 73 locations in Manitoba in 2015. The monitoring period was generally from April 26th to mid-June. Highest cumulative trap catches were 173 near Kane (C), 159 near The Pas (NW), and 156 near Portage la Prairie (C).

Grasshoppers: There were no reports of economical populations of grasshoppers in canola in 2015.

Flax (Flax-125,584 acres↑ + 1,256 acres organic flax↑)

Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae): There were no reports of high populations of aphids on flax in 2015.

Sunflowers (62,304 acres non-oil↑; 38,535 acres oil↑)

Cutworms: Cutworms damage was evident in some fields of sunflowers, and there were reports of insecticides being applied for cutworms in some fields in the Central regions. A field of sunflowers near Sperling (C) was reseeded because of damage from cutworms.

Sunflower beetle (Zygogramma exclamationis): No high populations or spraying for sunflower beetles were reported in 2015. The last year that economic populations of sunflower beetle have been reported in Manitoba is 2009.

Seedhead Insects

Some fields of sunflowers were treated with insecticides during early flowering to control seedhead insects, mainly Lygus bugs (Lygus spp.). In most instances Lygus bugs were the most common of the seedhead insects 21 of concern. Populations of Red sunflower seed weevil (Smicronyx fulvus) were low again in most areas this year. No high populations of banded sunflower moth (Cochylis hospes) were reported.

Beans (Dry Edible) (128,497 acres↓: White pea (navy)-37,602 acres↓, pinto-35,572 acres↓, black-20,302 acres↑, kidney-16,604 acres↓, cranberry-6,848 acres↑, small red-2,135 acres, other dry ebible-9,434 acres)

European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis): European corn borer were noted in the stalks of some dry bean plants. Peas (Field) (67,883 acres↑)

Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum): Aphid levels in peas were generally low. There were no reports of insecticides being needed to manage their levels. Soybeans (1,414,338 acres↑)

Cutworms: Cutworm feeding was a concern in some soybean fields in the Eastern and Central regions. A soybean field in the Central region was reseeded because of cutworm injury.

Soybean Aphid (Aphis glycines): Soybean aphids started to be noted in very low levels in soybean fields in mid- July. Populations got to economic levels in some soybean fields in Eastern and Central Manitoba in August and some insecticide applications were needed. High levels of natural enemies of soybean aphids were noted in some fields.

Spider mites: Although spider mites were noted on soybean plants in some areas, no economically damaging populations were reported.

Green Cloverworm (Hypena scabra): There were no reports of green cloverworm in soybeans in Manitoba in 2015.

Grasshoppers: Defoliation from grasshoppers was generally not a concern in soybeans.

Hemp (21,220 acres for grain↑)

Questions from 2015 regarding insects in hemp included economic thresholds for aphids and monitoring techniques for Lygus bugs. These sap feeding insects were at times at high levels in hemp, but little is known about their how damaging they may be to the crop. Other insects noted in hemp over the past year include root maggots feeding on the roots, and European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) in the stalks.

Forages and Forage Seed

Alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica): Feeding injury from larvae of alfalfa weevil was common in many alfalfa fields, and at times caused quite severe damage to plants. Some alfalfa for hay was cut early because of the presence of alfalfa weevil. Insecticides were applied in many fields and there were some reports of insecticides not 22 providing good control of alfalfa weevil. Damage was evident in some fields on the regrowth after the first cut. Alfalfa weevil control started in mid-June and extended into late-July.

Lygus bugs (Lygus spp.): Some alfalfa seed fields were sprayed to control Lygus bugs.

Armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta): Armyworms were a concern in some fields of timothy and perennial ryegrass.

Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers were reported to be prevalent on some pastures in the Interlake.

Potatoes

Report from: Dr. Vikram Bisht, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata): A few samples of Colorado potato beetles were found in the later part of the potato season; some may have escaped the neonicotinoid insecticides or developed some tolerance. This class of chemistry does not appear to be performing as well as it used to in a few locations. About 80-90% of the potato acres had a neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatment.

European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis): Quite a few potato fields in Manitoba had ECB infestations in 2015, beginning in mid-to late July. Many plants, in patches, were damaged at various stages of plant growth. Damage on main stems appears to have affected the tuber enlargement, but the injury on secondary branches appeared to have no apparent deleterious impact.

Aphids (various species): Selected seed potato fields in Manitoba were monitored for aphid populations over the season. As in 2014 the aphid numbers, especially green peach aphids (Myzus persicae), continued to be low. However, petroleum oil alone or in combination with insecticides was used by some seed potato growers to prevent pathogen transmission by aphids.

Potato psyllid (Paratrioza cockerelli): Dr. Vikram Bisht is coordinating potato psyllid monitoring in Manitoba as part of a national program being led by Dr. Dan Johnson at the University of Lethbridge. Yellow sticky cards from potato fields across Manitoba were assessed and no potato psyllids were found in Manitoba in 2015, as in the previous two years.

Fruit Crops

Report from: Anthony Mintenko, Fruit Specialist, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

Spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii): A province wide monitoring program for spotted wing Drosophila occurred from July to October in 2015. 2015 represented the earliest infestation date and the widest geographic range across southern Manitoba ever seen in the province. Drosophila were identified in traps 3 weeks earlier than the previous 2 years of monitoring, starting in summer-bearing raspberry fields the second week of July in the southern international border region of Manitoba. Drosophila were then indentified extensively throughout southern Manitoba from mid to late July in commercial raspberry fields and home-owner raspberries. In the previous 2 years drosophila had been restricted to the south Red River Valley and south-central Pembina Valley regions. In 2015, yield loses approached 50-75% for many raspberry producers. Little control of drosophila occurred as infestations occurred very rapidly before drosophila was 23 identified as a problem. It was identified in June-bearing strawberries and dwarf sour cherries in late July as well. It caused 50% yield loss for many sour cherry growers, but fortunately only affected the last June- bearing strawberry harvest, so yield loss was minimal. Day-neutral strawberry producers had to provide control of drosophila for the second round of berry harvesting from mid-August until early October.

Fourspotted sap beetles (Glischrochilus quadrisignatus): Were a problem in raspberry fields from mid-July onward, requiring control in some commercial fields. They may have been a secondary pest in many fields as a result of drosophila feeding damage softening the berries for easier infestation by sap beetles.

Stored Grains

Report from: Brent Elliott, Program Officer, Canadian Grain Commission

Fungus beetles: A variety of fungus-feeding beetles were abundant at harvest this year in Manitoba (and eastern Saskatchewan) notably in canola that was delivered straight to the elevator. Several loads were rejected due to the presence of insects in the shipment. The relatively wet summer in the eastern Prairies enabled abundant fungal growth on plant material that the beetles happily feed upon. If the field, fungal spores are present on the plants during harvest and as such the beetles are collected along with the canola. These fungus beetles will generally not survive in storage if the grain is clean and free of disease. If the grain is not clean going into storage however further mould development will allow for the survival of these insects. Two of the more abundant species seen were the foreign grain beetle (Ahasverus advena) and the square-nosed fungus beetle (Lathridius minutus) and numerous other species were observed in samples. The foreign grain beetle is of concern because it physically resembles the rusty grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus) and misidentification may occur, causing loads to be rejected on the basis of the presence of rusty grain beetle when it is the foreign grain beetle that is present.

Rusty grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus): Rusty grain beetles continue to be the most common insect found in stored grain. Numerous reports of infestation, notably in grain stored over the summer season, were received this year. It is important to note that this pest can survive cold temperatures for long durations and as a result may survive throughout the entire winter season in grain that is not properly cooled. The rusty grain beetle is present year round and for summer stored grain the beetle is able to fly readily from bin to bin and infest during the summer months as well. Early indications are that we are returning to a somewhat lower presence of rusty grain beetle than was observed in 2014 but this still remains the number one pest of stored grain in Canada.

Lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica) – the survey for lesser grain borer is Canada continued for a second year as part of a joint project with Kansas State University. In 2014 traps were placed across the prairies close to the border with the United States as it is thought that the lesser grain borer migrates into Canada in a fashion similar to many summer field pests. Lesser grain borers were collected in all three Prairie Provinces in 2014. In 2015 traps were also placed at locations proximal to the border but more traps were also placed along the Trans-Canada Highway to determine whether lesser grain borer is reaching locations further to the north. Lesser grain borer was collected at twelve of thirteen locations including all locations along or north of the Trans-Canada highway indicating that the lesser grain borer should be considered as not just a pest in communities near to the U.S. border. From a Manitoba perspective it was collected at three of four locations where traps were set up. We have seen a minor increase in reports of the lesser grain borer being found in stored grain so it is worthwhile keeping an eye out for this serious pest. Regular monitoring of grain (every 2-4 weeks) is a standard recommendation for all insect pests of stored grain. 24

Issues:

The overuse of neonicotinoid-based seed treatments is a concern, particularly when used in situations where the threat of insect damage to seedlings is not high. Some of these products are being marketed and used for perceived growth enhancement, regardless of insect populations, which can occur under some stressful growing conditions.

Future Plans:

Populations and the potential spread of cereal leaf beetle will continue to be monitored in Manitoba.

Crop Diagnostic School plans for 2016 include a unit on basic insect taxonomy, where agronomists and farmers are trained to recognize the major groupings of insects.

Priorities for factsheet revisions include Lygus bugs and alfalfa weevil.

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Appendix B: Research Reports

RESEARCH PROGRESS ON INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA - 2015

Compiled by R. S. Vernon Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, AAFC 6947 #7 Hwy. - P.O. Box 1000 Agassiz, B.C. V0M 1A0 [email protected] ______Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, PARC Agassiz: 2015 Insect Pest Research Report

Title 1: Minor Use Pesticides Program

Author and Associates: Markus Clodius, Jesse MacDonald and Bob Vernon (AAFC, Agassiz)

Problem: The Minor Use Pesticides Program exists to support growers and the general public by improving farmers’ access to new crop protection tools and technologies. The program works with growers, the provinces, manufacturers and the U.S. IR-4 Specialty Crops program to establish grower-selected crop/pest needs, and match them with potential solutions (particularly reduced-risk products such as microbial pesticides). AAFC then conducts field and greenhouse trials to collect the required efficacy and residue information, and drafts submissions to PMRA for the registration of new ‘minor’ uses for a given product.

Objective of Research: Ten residue trials and five efficacy/tolerance trials were successfully conducted at Agassiz in the 2015 growing season. Four greenhouse trials are currently ongoing, and one trial on blueberries will have to be repeated because of insufficient pest pressure. Notable among the list of trials were field and greenhouse residue trials on plant-derived insecticides (pyrethrins, sabadilla alkaloids) for ‘organic’ production, and a pair of efficacy trials of fluopyram as a nematicide in caneberries, applied through chemigation.

Summary of Results: Analyses of residue levels and product efficacy are still in process.

Continuing Research: Residue trials on greenhouse vegetables and hops will be conducted at Agassiz in 2016, as will efficacy trials of fungicides on caneberry, insecticides on highbush blueberries, a screening trial on ornamental bulbs for root rot management products, and a tolerance trial of a pre-emergence herbicide on new raspberry plants. Other trials will be selected over the winter, based on the priorities identified by growers last November. In total, we plan to run another 20 to 25 trials in the coming year.

Contact: Markus Clodius Tel: (604) 796-6077 Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-6133 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 2: Evaluating various insecticides for control of wireworms in potatoes (2015).

Author and Associates: Bob Vernon, Wim van Herk and Jesse MacDonald (AAFC, Agassiz), and Christine Noronha (AAFC, Charlottetown).

Problem: Wireworms of various species continue to cause increasing problems in the major potato growing provinces of Canada, and are reaching epidemic proportions in PEI. East of BC, growers rely almost exclusively on Thimet 15G 26

(phorate), however, this product was withdrawn from Canada in August, 2015. The main problem facing wireworm researchers in finding replacements for Thimet, has been in finding lower risk insecticides that work consistently on all pest wireworm species (about 30) across Canada, and to compile enough efficacy data to support new, lower risk registrations and methodologies.

Objective of Research: To evaluate candidate insecticides for control of wireworms in potatoes in BC and PEI. The focus of the 2015 study at Agassiz, BC, was to further determine the efficacy of various treatments in: a) protecting daughter tubers from damage; and b) reducing wireworm populations. The main objective was to further determine the efficacy of bifenthrin (which was provisionally registered for use on potatoes in Canada in 2014) used either alone as an in-furrow spray, or in combination with clothianidin applied as a seed treatment (i.e. Titan ST). A number of new insecticide candidates and attract-and-kill approaches to controlling wireworms were also tested at the Agassiz site. A study testing a subset of the BC treatments was also conducted in PEI by Christine Noronha (AAFC, Charlottetown).

Summary of Results: The 2015 potato study, evaluating 14 treatments, was established at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Center in Agassiz, BC, and is still underway. Potatoes have been harvested on two occasions and are currently being graded for wireworm blemishes. Following the first harvest, blemish evaluations have supported previous work showing equivalent efficacy of bifenthrin, or bifenthrin plus Titan to Thimet. Some new candidate insecticides are also showing very good promise, as are certain attract-and-kill treatments. Harvested plots will be left intact overwinter and will be sampled with bait traps in April-May, 2016 to determine whether the various treatments tested actually reduced populations of wireworms. In PEI, potatoes have also been harvested and are being graded for wireworm blemishes.

Continuing Research: It should be noted that although Thimet 15G was removed from the Canadian marketplace in August, 2015, it has just recently been replaced by a new formulation, Thimet 20G, similar to that used in the USA. Although this is good news for growers, it doesn’t guarantee wireworm control in areas with high population levels of various economic wireworm species (e.g. PEI), and research will continue on several fronts to target the areas hardest hit by these pests. Potato wireworm efficacy trials will be continued over the next 3 years in BC, PEI and in other locations across Canada under a Cluster Project between AAFC and the Canadian Horticultural Council.

Contact: Dr. Bob Vernon Tel: (604) 796-2221 (local 212) Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-0359 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 3: Evaluating insecticidal seed-treatments for control of wireworms in wheat.

Author and Associates: Bob Vernon, Wim van Herk (AAFC, Agassiz).

Problem: Various species of wireworms are known to cause serious damage to cereal crops across Canada. Problems with wireworms in general are increasing in many Canadian farming systems, especially on the prairies where cereal crops abound. This increase in damage has been attributed, at least in part, to the loss of the organochlorine insecticide lindane as a cereal and forage crop seed treatment in 2004. Studies have been underway at PARC, Agassiz to find lower risk insecticides to replace lindane. Between 2002-2014, studies in Agassiz have focused on evaluation of a number of candidate insecticidal wheat seed treatments for wireworm management, including the neonicotinoids, clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, the pyrethroids, tefluthrin, lambda cyhalothrin and bifenthrin, the phenyl pyrazoles fipronil and ethiprole, and other novel insecticides such as cyazypyr, renaxypyr, spinosad, halofenozide, and several numbered compounds. Of the above list, only fipronil has been found to actually kill wireworms, and will do so at extremely low rates. The other insecticides, somewhat in the order they are listed, provided wheat stand protection, but without reducing wireworm populations. Since fipronil is unlikely to be registered in Canada, what is needed is to

27 register new insecticides that provide both stand protection and wireworm population reduction, which was provided in the past by lindane.

Objective of Research: Three wheat efficacy trials were conducted at AAFC, Agassiz BC in 2015 against the exotic wireworm species, Agriotes obscurus, and an additional study in PEI against A. sputator. These trials focused on the evaluation of a number of seed treatment candidates versus existing neonicotinoid standards and/or fipronil. Efficacy in our trials is measured by observing the impacts of candidate insecticides on crop health through wireworm control (i.e. crop stand establishment and yield), as well as on their effects on wireworm populations (i.e. by sampling wireworms in plots the following spring). The main objective of these trials was to generate crop stand and wireworm mortality efficacy data for registration of one or more insecticides in the future.

Summary of Results: Several candidate products provided wheat stand and yield protection comparable to the currently registered neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam (Cruiser 5FS), and these trials will be baited in spring of 2016 to determine if any treatments were effective in reducing wireworm populations.

Continuing Research: Wheat seed treatment efficacy trials will be continued over the next 3 years in BC, PEI and in other locations across Canada under a Cluster Project established between AAFC and the Canadian Horticultural Council. The ultimate goal is to register one or more products that will provide equivalent efficacy to lindane, and thus bring populations of wireworms under control in areas such as the prairies and PEI.

Contact: Dr. Bob Vernon Tel: (604) 796-2221 (local 212) Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-0359 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 4: Evaluation of Matador and other insecticides applied as field sprays to adult click beetles of three European Agriotes sp.

Author and Associates: Wim van Herk, Bob Vernon (AAFC, Agassiz)

Problem: Three species of European wireworms were introduced to BC (Agriotes lineatus, A. obscurus) and Atlantic Canada (AL, AO, A. sputator) in the 1800’s, and have since become significant pests of potato, other vegetable crops, corn, and cereals. The limited number of control options for the larvae (which are subterranean) and the increasing pest populations in PEI, have required research into other strategies for their management, including controlling the adults (which are not pests) before they oviposit in spring. This can potentially be done with field sprays of currently registered insecticides, but would need to be evaluated under field conditions.

Objective of research: Objectives were three-fold: 1) determine the effect of Matador field sprays applied at the maximum registered rate on beetles of all three species, using commercial sprayers; 2) determine if the three species responded similarly, and/or can recover from knockdown; 3) evaluate other insecticides that could be used in combination with Matador.

Summary of results: In both PEI and BC, beetles in cups (10-20 per cup) were oversprayed during field applications of Matador using boom sprayers, and post-spray health checks were continued until the beetles had recovered from knockdown or had died. In St. Catherines and Newtown, PEI, applications of 83ml product/ha (the maximum registered rate) killed 51.6% and 50.2% of 800 A. sputator in cups, assessed 5 days after spray, respectively. In Agassiz, BC, applications of 21, 42, and

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83ml killed, respectively, 27, 38, and 42% of A. obscurus (N=110), and 29, 100, and 85% of A. lineatus (respectively, N=50), at 8 days after spray. At 1 day after spraying in BC and PEI trials, nearly all beetles were moribund, even at the lowest rate. These findings suggest that the three species vary in sensitivity to Matador, can recover from morbidity induced by exposure, and that the highest rate of Matador tested is not sufficient to fully control A. sputator and A. obscurus. In a subsequent trial done under field conditions, applications of Matador alone or in combination with Decis, Pyrinex, and Delegate (also currently registered products), killed 100% of A. obscurus in all treatments with Matador at 83ml/ha or Pyrinex 2300ml/ha. Less than 25% of beetles exposed to Decis (150ml/ha) or Delegate (200g/ha) alone were killed. The inconsistent result for Matador applied to A. obscurus in this study versus the other field overspray studies may, in part, be due to the older age of the beetles used in the study.

Continuing research: Studies will be repeated next year in BC and PEI with other insecticides and/or combinations.

Contact: Dr. Wim van Herk Tel: (604) 796-6091 Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-6133 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 5: Identification of wireworms of economic importance.

Author and Associates: Wim van Herk, Bob Vernon (AAFC, Agassiz).

Problem: A variety of different wireworm species are causing increasing problems for farmers across Canada. The resurgence of this pest complex is thought to be associated with the gradual decline of organochlorine residues in the soil, the use of novel but non-lethal insecticides (e.g. neonicotinoids), and with changes to field cultivation practices (in the Prairie Provinces, PEI).

Objective of Research: To develop a better understanding of the species of economic importance across Canada, and the soil types and crops these are associated with, collaborators across Canada are kindly asked to forward wireworms from any field where they are found (esp. if they are observed to cause damage) to our lab for identification. This information is being compiled into a national database and will be used to develop a GIS and interactive map in the near future. To enable this, collaborators are also asked to submit sample location information (lat. & long., or legal field coordinates), and any available cropping, irrigation, and cultivation history (current and past) of the field. Samples can be sent in EtOH or in a small container with field soil.

Summary of Results: Approximately 1,680 larvae were identified in 2015. Most of these came from research trials conducted in Purple Springs, Alberta and in PEI. In Purple Springs, the majority of larvae identified were Limonius californicus (98%), with the remainder being Hypnoidus bicolor, Selatosomus destructor, and Aeolus mellillus. Samples from bait traps placed this spring in three research trials conducted in PEI in 2014 collected mostly Agriotes sputator (98%), the remainder being H. abbreviatus. A few samples were also received from Beaverlodge (AB), Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario, and California. The samples from Ontario contained a mixture of Limonius agonus, Hypnoidus bicolor, Agriotes mancus, Melanotus similis, and another, unidentified Melanotus sp. We also identified 6,250 beetles collected from pitfall traps placed in three fields in PEI between 25 May and 16 July. The relative percentages of A. sputator and H. abbreviatus in these fields were 88 and 10% in field 1, 64 and 35% in field 2, and 36 and 38% in field 3. In the latter field there was also a high percentage of Dalopius sp. and a fourth click beetle species. The pest status of H. abbreviatus, Dalopius sp., and this fourth species is not currently known. These results, together with those presented in previous updates, show that different complexes of economic species are found in the different agricultural areas in Canada. Of importance for pest management is that different economic species are often found in the same fields, and in different relative proportions. This has now been shown for

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BC, the Prairie Provinces, Ontario/Quebec, and PEI. Pest species vary widely in morphology and life history, and likely in susceptibility to certain contemporary insecticides.

Continuing Research: It is expected that this work will continue for at least two more years.

Contact: Dr. Wim van Herk Tel: (604) 796-6091 Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-6133 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 6: DNA Barcoding of Canadian Elaterids.

Author and Associates: Wim van Herk, Bob Vernon (AAFC, Agassiz), Bob Hanner, Cynthia Scott-Dupree, Andrew Frewin (University of Guelph).

Problem: A variety of different wireworm species are causing increasing problems for farmers across Canada. Identification of wireworms is difficult as the larvae of most North American elaterids have not been described and those of some (economic) species are morphologically indistinguishable.

Objective of Research: To confirm the larval identifications done by the Vernon lab since 2004, and to determine the identity of larvae that cannot be identified to species, samples of larvae of all species will be barcoded by Bob Hanner’s lab at Guelph. The CO1 (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) sequences obtained will be compared with those publically available in BOLD (barcode of life database), and with those generated by concurrent CO1 sequencing of adult elaterids. To develop a reliable database of elaterid barcodes for these comparisons, we will locate adult specimens identified by family experts such as EC Becker, MC Lane, and WJ Brown, and submit these for barcoding. The barcoding of click beetles will begin with the known or suspected economic species, but will attempt to include as many Canadian species as possible.

Summary of Results: We currently have larvae of approx. 30 different species available for barcoding, subsamples of which have been submitted to the Hanner lab for photography and sequencing this spring. Full length barcodes were obtained from 89 of 95 specimens, and comparing these to sequences of known specimens in the BOLD library confirm that our ID’s based on morphological characters were correct in most cases. Specimens of approx. 250 of the approx. 400 species known to occur in Canada have been borrowed from the various insect collections visited so far, and some of these have been submitted for sequencing to fine tune the DNA extraction and PCR methods for old specimens. This has so far been unsuccessful due to the age of the specimens, and more refined methods will be explored.

Continuing Research: It is expected that this work will continue for at least one more year.

Contact: Dr. Wim van Herk Tel: (604) 796-6091 Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-6133 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 7. New trap for monitoring and mass trapping click beetles

Author and Associates: Bob Vernon, Wim van Herk

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Problem: Populations of wireworms have increased dramatically in recent years in Alberta (Limonius californicus, Selatosomas destructor and Hypnoidus bicolor), and especially in PEI (the exotic species Agriotes sputator, A. obscurus and A. lineatus). In these areas, the available insecticides commonly used to control the wireworm stage of these pests in wheat (i.e. thiamethoxam and imidacloprid), and potatoes (phorate = Thimet), are not sufficient to prevent severe economic damage from occurring, and the problem is increasing annually.

Objective of Research: As an alternative strategy to controlling the wireworm stage, work has been underway at AAFC, Agassiz to develop various methods of killing adult click beetles to prevent egg laying in arable fields, or in the permanent grassy wireworm reservoirs surrounding farmed fields. Methods under development include timed spraying of fields with candidate insecticides, mass trapping of males (Agriotes spp.) with pheromone traps in non-farmed habitats, mating disruption, biological controls (e.g. Metarhyzium brunneum) and others. For these approaches to work in an IPM context, a method of monitoring click beetle populations is required, and up to 2015, this has been accomplished with pheromone traps developed at AAFC, Agassiz in 2001. These traps, however, are somewhat difficult to install and check, and are much too expensive for use as mass trapping devices. An objective of our work in 2014 and 2015, therefore, was to develop a less expensive, highly effective and easy to use trap for use in IPM monitoring programs and for mass trapping of, at present, European wireworms in BC and PEI, for which pheromones exist.

Summary of Results: A new trap was designed in 2014. The trap is composed of 2 injection mold components, and is as or more attractive than the previous trap, takes only 1.5 minutes to install, can be inspected very rapidly, and specimens can be easily removed without disturbing the trap. The trap also includes a rodent exclusion component suggested by Dr. John Borden (formerly of Contech Enterprises). The trap was tested in several studies in BC and PEI in 2015, as well as in several other areas across Canada. In PEI, the trap caught just under 1 million Agriotes sputator click beetles in 3 fields monitored, and even unbaited traps were able to catch various click beetle species across Canada. From our studies, it is concluded the new trap can be easily used for click beetle monitoring in BC and PEI in developing IPM programs, and is inexpensive enough to be used for mass trapping. Mass trapping and trap-based IPM monitoring program strategies will be investigated in PEI in 2016. It can also be used unbaited for general click beetle surveys.

Continuing Research: In 2016, a number of mass trapping strategies for A. sputator will be evaluated in PEI, and the traps will be used in new regional IPM programs to monitor the temporal presence and distribution of click beetles in fields pre and post click beetle reduction strategies.

Contact: Dr. Bob Vernon Tel: (604) 796-2221 (local 212) Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-0359 P.O. Box 1000 - 6947 #7 Highway e-mail: [email protected] Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Title 8: A biologically-based attract-and-kill tactic for click beetle control

Author and associates: Todd Kabaluk (AAFC, Agassiz), J.P. Lafontaine, John Borden (Scotts Canada Ltd.), Joyce Leung (Simon Fraser University)

Problem: The pestilence of wireworms (larvae of Elateridae) in agricultural crops is widespread, with almost all control efforts targeting larvae. Using entomopathogens as biocontrols targeting the soil-dwelling larvae has had some success in reducing wireworm damage to potato, but efficacy needs to be improved. Complementing the direct targeting of larvae with the targeting adult click beetles for wireworm control might represent a comprehensive approach for wireworm biocontrol for sustainable management of this pest.

Objective of research: To create a granular formulation of click beetle pheromone, applying it in the field together with entomopathogenic Metarhizium brunneum LRC112 (aka MetLRC) in a band, and assessing the ability of this tactic to

31 attract, infect, and kill click beetles in an experimental setting (beetles contained in 3.14m2 arenas).

Summary of results: Click beetles appeared in the pheromone granule/MetLRC band immediately following its application in the experimental arenas, with lethal doses of MetLRC spores received by most of the 500 released beetles in as little as 3 hours. Inclusion of the pheromone granules with MetLRC increased beetle mortality by as much as 98% compared to MetLRC alone. Beetles came and went from the pheromone granule/MetLRC band indicating the opportunity for horizontal transmission to uncontaminated beetles. Effective pheromone (1:1 geranyl hexanoate: geranyl octanoate) rates were tested down to 27 ml/ha without losing effect, suggesting the rate could be reduced even further. Click beetles were attracted to pheromone granules from a distance of at least 15m.

Continuing research: Refining methods for the attract and kill tactic, new methods for applying biocontrols targeting click beetles, increasing the longevity of the biobased pest control products.

Contact: Todd Kabaluk Tel: (604) 796-6083 Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Fax: (604) 796-6133 P.O. Box 1000, 6947 No. 7 Hwy, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0 e-mail: [email protected]

______Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, PARC, Summerland: 2015 Insect Pest Research Report

Title 9: Response Planning and Surveillance Strategy for Apple Maggot in B.C.

Author and Associates: Howard Thistlewood (AAFC Summerland, BC), Paul Couch (AAFC Summerland, Torus Technologies, Osoyoos, BC), Dave Holden (CFIA, Kelowna, BC), April Ingraham (CFIA, Kelowna, BC), Gabriella Zilahi- Balogh (CFIA, Kelowna, BC), and Susanna Acheampong (BC Min Agriculture, Kelowna, BC)

Problem: Apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella, an invasive pest of pome fruit in western North America, is a major trade barrier for Canadian exports of apples. It was first detected in the Lower Mainland of BC in 2006, having taken 20 years to cross Washington from Oregon. US agencies have spent millions of $$ in containment attempts, with some success, because it is the most serious insect pest of apple wherever it occurs. Commercial fruit production regions of the interior of British Columbia are currently free of apple maggot but it is undoubtedly spreading by various means. CFIA currently monitors much of the interior fruit-growing region but nowhere else. Its discovery throughout Prince George in 2012 and 2013 raised concerns. Objective of research: This project aims to “slow the spread”, beginning with integrating georeferenced information held variously by the CFIA, O-K SIR Program, local government departments including arborists; to conduct targeted habitat surveys to validate host plants in the BC interior and compare with the Washington State situation; and to refine current monitoring strategies. Knowledge of likely habitats and distribution of hosts will be incorporated via the use of landscape ecology and geographic information systems. Targeted monitoring and habitat surveys will enable us to better adapt US and eastern Canadian management schemes for dry interior conditions.

Summary of results: In 2013-2014, geodatabases were created from previous Apple Maggot surveys in USA and Canada, employing thousands of traps and host records per year. In the BC interior, 140.84 km2 of land contains commercial pome fruit orchards and 327.3km2 area contains all pome fruit sites, urban and commercial, including 19,275 known pome fruit trees within a half mile buffer of commercial orchards (61% Apple, 20% Pear, 15% Crab apple, and 5% Quince). Current trapping monitored only a fraction of the area. Discussions were held with collaborating agencies in 2014 and 2015 concerning Apple Maggot, including representatives of BC Fruit Growers Association, BC Tree Fruit Co-operative, B.C. government, the OK-Sterile Insect Release Program, and of Federal government agencies (Health Canada / PMRA, CFIA, and AAFC).

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Novel strategies were tested and compared for optimal trap deployment against Apple Maggot, and for 2015, a new GIS-based plan was launched for a three year rotational cycle of deployment of the available trap effort (n = 450), increasing the monitored area to 78% over time. Traps were allocated using an overlay of the area containing pome fruit hosts with a hexagonal grid (assuming max. of 200m active space per trap), a custom algorithm to distribute traps in remaining areas that the grid did not cover well, manual placement of additional traps to get an exact number of 897 trap locations, classifying trap locations into 3 years of 385 locations per year, grouping traps by three district offices, and providing full information on lot, host, address, etc., in Google Earth files. Using the new plan, Apple maggot was detected at one new site in West Kelowna, to date. Discussions were initiated under the framework of BC PPAC, a NAPPO alert was issued, and CFIA initiated delimitation and follow-up surveys. Visits were made to Washington State to view trap methods and comparable sites to B.C. conditions. Two university co- op research assistants also conducted field-work, May-September 2015. We inspected various terrain types for apple maggot host plants, particularly feral Apple and Crab Apple (Malus spp.), or Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), to understand the general distribution and suitable growing conditions of such hosts in Washington State, and in B.C. between the US border and Salmon Arm. Together, this provided new information on hawthorn distribution and feral habitats in our region. In addition to gardens and urban areas, creeks, gullies with moisture, and river channels, matched best the ecological range of factors that allow hawthorn shrubs and trees to establish. Also, comparison of two trap types was initiated to become familiar with identification issues for separation of R. pomonella from another Rhagoletis fly with similar wing patterns. A Red Sphere and a Yellow Card were compared for selectivity to snowberry maggot, R. zephyria, in five sites.

Continuing research: At UBC Okanagan, Brian Muselle commenced related studies in May as an MSc graduate student under Jason Pither and H. Thistlewood. He will compare elements of the landscape ecology of Washington State and B.C., and model various scenarios of insect spread, possibly including management.

Contact: Howard Thistlewood, Research Scientist, Science & Technology Branch Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada / Government of Canada [email protected] / Tel: 250-494-6419

Title 10: The spatial and temporal distribution of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, and other drosophilids

Author and Associates: Amanda Chamberlain (AAFC Summerland, UBC-O), Robert Lalonde (UBC Okanagan), and Howard Thistlewood (AFFC Summerland, UBC-O)

Problem: Historically, drosophilids are associated with over-ripened or fermenting fruit. Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a new invasive pest of global concern that attacks a wide range of ripening fruit prior to harvest and may provide opportunities for other Drosophila spp. to oviposit in healthy, intact fruit. Few studies have to date quantified the spatial ecology of ovipositing females in fruit, despite the importance of such knowledge for monitoring and management.

Objective of research: To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of ovipositing drosophilids, including D. suzukii, within a cherry orchard and tree canopy during initial and late infestation. We sampled ca. 1,700 cherries from five cultivars for six weeks in 2015, to determine the effects of (1) position within the block (border vs. interior rows), and (2) within-tree distribution (aspect and height), on the presence of D. suzukii and other arthropods in individual fruit. Trees from the interior and border rows of an orchard were selected, each canopy divided into four sectors (top/bottom x north/south), and 15 cherries per sector were collected and individually-reared for two weeks under controlled conditions.

Summary of results: At this time, our results are confined to total drosophilid counts, with separation of species to be completed in the winter. Of 1,198 cherries that have been surveyed to date, drosophilid flies were reared from 70.5%. A

33 fully-factorial experimental design revealed significant variation among cultivars, and that later ripening cultivars had a higher probability of being attacked than others. Some interactions between cultivar and height and cultivar and row were also significant. When populations were low (initial colonization), cherries collected from the interior (row 4) and the north-facing (row 7) rows were more likely to be infested than the south-facing row (row 1). In respect to within- canopy distribution, ovipositing drosophilids were more likely to be active in the bottom canopy but less of an effect was detected when populations were high (secondary colonization). A significant influence of canopy aspect on oviposition females, in which the south-side of the canopy showed the highest infestations, was found during initial colonization only.

Continuing research: Work is continuing to determine if biological interactions utilizing the same host (cherry) influence the distribution of ovipositing drosophilids by identifying all collected inhabitants to species, and using indices of aggregation to measure inter-specific and intra-specific interactions.

Contact: Amanda Chamberlain MSc Student, Biology (UBC-O) Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre Tel: (250) 494-6404 P.O. Box 5000, 4200 Hwy 97, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 e-mail: [email protected]

Additional 2014 Insect Pest Research Reports, Industry:

Title 11: Field testing new active ingredients for cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum) control.

Author and Associates: Renee Prasad (E.S.Cropconsult Ltd.), Bob Vernon (AAFC, Agassiz), Wim van Herk (AAFC, Agassiz), Susan Smith (BCMAF, Abbotsford)

Problem: Cabbage root maggot (Delia radicum) is the main pest issue for root brassica crops like rutabaga, turnips and radishes. Additionally, head and stem brassica crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower are also having increasing losses due to maggots. In BC resistance to the main active, chlorpyrifos, has been confirmed in three out of four populations tested.

Objective of research: Field testing of alternative chemistries for cabbage maggot control. Previous studies have indicated that transplant plug treatments with the active ingredient cyazypyr can reduce maggot damage.

Summary of results: In 2014 examined the efficacy of two rates of cyazypyr (300 and 450 g a.i./ha) alone or in combination with two other products: Capture (bifenthrin) and Titan (clothianidin). Trials were conducted in May and September in a grower’s vegetable field in Abbotsford, BC. May trials were challenging to conduct, in part because of unseasonably dry conditions and results that were not conclusive. However, in the September trials we observed that the cyazypyr 450 treatment provided protection against cabbage maggot for three weeks after application. In some of our trials significant levels of protection from maggots by cyazypyr 450 was observed even at six weeks compared to the Control treatments, however by this time damage is occurring. In 2015, we began to examine the efficacy of cyazypyr for direct seed crops - with application occurring approximately 10 days after planting (cotyledon stage).

Continuing research: 2015 plots are still in the ground and results pending

Contact: Dr. Renee Prasad, Agriculture Technology, University of the Fraser Valley, [email protected]

Title 12: Evaluation of thrips damage to potatoes in a changing climate.

Author and Associates: Kiara Jack, Carolyn Teasdale, Heather Meberg (E.S. Cropconsult), Wim van Herk, Bob Vernon (AAFC, Agassiz), Robert McGregor (Douglas College). Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri- 34

Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC under Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The program is delivered by the BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative. Funding is also provided by the Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association, the Potato Industry Development Fund and E.S. Cropconsult Ltd.

Problem: Over the last decade, thrips have become and increasing problem in potatoes most likely due to reduced use of broad spectrum insecticides and climate change. Climate change predictions for the lower mainland and BC in general include hotter, drier summers, conditions which thrips thrive under. Thrips cause economic damage to crops through feeding, oviposition and vectoring of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in other parts of the world but it is unknown whether or not this is true locally. Also, there is no known threshold for thrips in potatoes.

Objective of research: There are four objectives: 1) Evaluate yield loss due to thrips damage to potato crops in relation to growing season conditions. 2) Assess occurrence of thrips vectoring tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) to potatoes within the Fraser Valley. 3) Evaluate potato varietal difference in thrips attraction. 4) Increase grower knowledge of the effect of thrips on potato yield and quality, and which varieties can be used to adapt to thrips issues as the climate changes.

Methodology: Objective 1: 2015 trial consisted of three treatments replicated ten times each within four potato fields in Delta, BC. Plots were ten feet long and three rows wide running along the outside three rows of a selected field edge. The treatments, an untreated control, water and an insecticide, were used when thrips were found within the insecticide plots (where the goal was to maintain minimal thrips feeding damage). Thrips numbers on sticky cards, foliage and foliar feeding damage were assessed per week. An eight foot section from the middle row in each plot was harvested and yield measurements included plant number, number of tubers and weight of unwashed tubers. Objective 2: Leaves and thrips were collected from selected fields to test for vectoring of TSWV. This methodology will be further determined with Dr. Robert McGregor (Executive Director for Institute of Urban Ecology, Douglas College) after the completion of some preliminary work. Objective 3: Field variety, surrounding crop type, and thrips numbers within fields were recorded for many fields within the Fraser Valley. Spray record data will also be added. Objective 4: A survey of grower knowledge on thrips is being completed. Project findings will be disseminated through handouts, posters or presentations at meetings which potato growers attend or via mail or articles.

Results: Data from the 2015 field season is currently being analysed.

Contact: Kiara Jack Tel: 604-835-2876 E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. Fax:1-888-813-6228 6145 171A, St Surrey, BC V3S 5S1 e-mail: [email protected]

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35

2015 Alberta Research Report

For the Western Committee of Crop Pests, Abbotsford, 22 October 2015

Compiled by Héctor Cárcamo

Olds College: School of Animal Science and Horticulture

1. Title: Biology and Distribution of an Alien Invasive Species new to Alberta, the Lily Leaf Beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli)

Author and Associates: Ken Fry

Problem: The alien invasive species, Lilioceris lilii, was first detected in North America in Montreal in 1943 (LeSage 1983) but has since spread to Ontario (Bouchard et al. 2008), the Maritimes (Majka & LeSage 2008), and Manitoba (Elliott & LeSage 2004). This beetle was reported from cultivated lilies in Airdrie, Alberta in 2006 (unpubl. res.). Both cultivated and native species of Lilium are threatened by this pest.

Objective of Research: The objective of this part of the project is to determine the viability of the parasitoid, Terastichus setifer, for biological control of the lily beetle.

Summary of Results: Adult parasitoids were obtained from the lab of Dr. Naomi Cappucino at Carleton University in summer of 2014 and again in summer of 2015. One hundred adult parasitoids were released in the lily collection on the campus of Olds College in 2014 and again in 2015. Fifty adult parasitoids were released at the Reader Rock Garden and the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta in 2015.

Lily beetle larvae from each site were collected and allowed to pupate under laboratory conditions. The pupae that did not yield adult lily beetles will be overwintered in a cooler and emerging parasitoids will be counted in spring and later released at the site of collection. Lily beetle larvae will be collected in spring and summer at each site and dissected to determine if parasitized (larval collections will occur prior to any release of new adults).

Continuing Research: Continued funding from the Alberta Regional Lily Society will allow for continued monitoring of the establishment and spread of the parasitoid and for continued releases of the parasitoid from laboratory cultures provided by Dr. Cappucino.

Contact: Ken Fry

2. Title: Surveillance of alien invasive species attacking urban tree species.

Author and Associates: Ken Fry (OC), Janet Feddes-Calpas (StopDED), Troy Kimoto (CFIA)

36

Problem: The establishment and expansion of the global marketplace has resulted in an increased risk of introduction to Canada of alien invasive species threatening our urban forests. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is “dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants, which enhances the health and well- being of Canada's people, environment and economy.” The Society for the Prevention of Dutch Elm Disease (StopDED) has established a reliable system and infrastructure to monitor Dutch Elm Disease vectors in Alberta. A relationship has been developed between CFIA and StopDED that seeks to exploit the resources and capabilities of their respective organizations in pursuit of the protection of Canada’s trees.

Objective of Research: It is proposed to establish and maintain an alien invasive species monitoring program in Alberta for the early detection of alien invasive species of wood boring insects. This proposal builds on a pilot project conducted by StopDED from 2007-2009 (Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program Project #1294) and contracted work by Olds College from 2010-2011.

Summary of Results: Protocols and methodologies have been established for trap deployment and collection, trap residue processing, and reporting. Fifteen localities in Alberta considered to be high risk for importation of wood boring insects were monitored using four Lindgren funnel traps at each locality. The traps were baited with one of four different lures; α-pinene, ethanol, Sirex pheromone, or Ips exotic bark beetle lure in combination with ipsenol. Traps were serviced bi-weekly and residues processed at Olds College.

For the 2014 trapping lure, no alien invasive species were detected among the 4,491 specimens identified. There were 56 different species identified in total from the Scolytinae (25 species), Cerambycidae (24), Siricidae (6), and Buprestidae (1). The most numerous species were Ips pini (1160 specimens), Trypodentron lineatum (1812), Monochamus scutellatus (203), Monochamus notatus (248), Neospondylus upiformis (114), and Xylotrechus undulatus (126), and Sirex cyaneus (80).

Continuing Research: For the 2015 trapping year new lures were deployed; Pine sawyer (monochamol, ipsenol, α-pinene, ethanol) and General Longhorn (fuscumol, fuscumol acetate, ethanol). Trap residues will be processed this fall and winter.

Contact: Ken Fry

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Science and Technology Branch, Calgary

3. Title: National Pollinator Health Study – Native Bee Component

Authors: Steve Javorek, Sophie Cardinal, Mark Wonneck

Problem: Native bees are critically important to agriculture in Canada, yet many populations of these insects have experienced significant losses over recent years. In 2014, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada initiated a three-year study to assess risk factors that appear to be contributing to these losses.

Objective of Research: To identify risks to native bees associated with exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides and pathogens, especially those that may have “spilled-over” from managed pollinator populations. To

37 establish baseline native bee abundance and diversity to allow for long term monitoring of these populations. To relate native bee populations to landscape pattern.

Summary of Work to Date: Sampling protocols were developed and tested in 2014 and implemented in 2015 at 28 sites in seven ecoregions in each of Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Pathogen analysis is underway. Neonicotinoid analysis expected to begin in the winter of 2015. Specimen processing and databasing are underway. The results of the study are expected to be published beginning in late 2016.

Contact for Alberta component: Mark Wonneck

University of Alberta: Department of Biological Sciences:

4. Title: Influence of Host Plant Species and Plant Nutrition on Larval Development of Cutworms (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Author and Associates: Ronald Batallas, Maya Evenden

Problem: The redbacked cutworm (Euxoa ochrogaster) and pale western cutworm (Agrotis orthogonia) are considered the most common cutworm species affecting canola and cereal crops in the Prairie Provinces. Late instar larvae eat into the stems and sever crop seedlings early in the season. Outbreak infestations can cause complete destruction of fields. Both species are regarded as generalist pests; however there are indications that the redbacked cutworm larvae may prefer canola to cereal crops, whereas the pale western cutworm affects mostly cereal crops. Detailed information on the influence of host species and crop fertilization regime on larval performance is lacking.

Objective: The main goal of this research is to measure crop-insect interactions under controlled conditions in the lab by testing the effect of host plant species and plant nutrition on larval performance of the redbacked cutworm and pale western cutworm. This research is designed to establish a hierarchical host preference for both species, and provide information for crop rotation.

Summary results (of work completed):

Experiment 1: Host species

This experiment evaluated larval performance of the pale western cutworm on three host species (canola, peas and spring wheat) and an artificial diet. Seedlings were grown for 21 days, watered every other day and received no fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions (21°C; photoperiod 16h light: 8h darkness; 80% RH). Newly hatched larvae were reared on artificial diet until third instar. Individual third instar larvae were placed in a deep petri dish (140 mm diam. × 25 mm height) with randomly assigned seedlings or artificial diet, for a total of 32 larvae per treatment. Seedlings and artificial diet were replaced upon depletion or desiccation. We monitored larval development from third instar to pupation. To assess larval performance, we recorded head capsule width and weight per instar, total and per instar development time, and pupal weight. The plant host species had no effect on head capsule width

38 across all instars. Larval weight was influenced by host plant species. Larvae reared on artificial diet had a higher weight gain, followed by wheat; larvae reared on canola and peas had the lowest larval weight. Host species influenced total developmental time. Larvae reared on artificial diet and wheat had the shortest developmental time (48.34 ± 1.34 and 50.05 ± 1.16 days, respectively) compared to larvae reared on canola and peas (66.75 ± 3.75 and 57.75 ± 4.29, respectively).

These results demonstrate the influence of host on larval development. Overall, pale western cutworm had a higher performance on wheat compared to canola or peas.

Experiment 2: Plant fertilization regime

This experiment evaluated the larval performance of the red backed cutworm and pale western cutworm on two host species (canola and spring wheat) at two fertilization regimes (fertilized and non-fertilized plants). Seedlings were grown for 21 days, watered every other day. Fertilized plants received a fertilizer solution (20- 20-20, 1 g/L) every seven days. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions (21°C; photoperiod 16h light: 8h darkness; 80% RH). Newly hatched larvae were reared on artificial diet until the third instar. Individual third instar larvae were placed in a deep petri dish (140 mm diam. × 25 mm height) with randomly assigned seedling, for a total of 32 larvae per treatment for each cutworm species. Seedlings were replaced upon depletion or desiccation. We monitored larval development from third instar to pupation. To assess larval performance, we recorded head capsule width and weight per instar, developmental time per instar and total. To assess adult fitness, we recorded pupal weight and moth longevity.

This experiment is on-going. Both cutworm species reared on fertilized plants completed their development in a shorter period than those reared on non-fertilized plants, regardless of the host species. Larvae reared on non-fertilized plants had a longer development time, and host species had a strong influence on larval performance. The redbacked cutworm had shorter development time and higher pupal weight on non- fertilized canola seedlings over non-fertilized wheat seedlings. The pale western cutworm had a shorter development time and higher pupal weight on non-fertilized wheat seedlings over non-fertilized canola seedlings.

Laboratory tests show that larval development of both the redbacked and pale western cutworms is variable on different host plants and with crop plant nutrition regime. The redbacked cutworm had a higher performance on non-fertilized canola seedlings, whereas the pale western cutworm had a higher performance on non-fertilized wheat seedlings. However, plant nutrition had a positive influence on larval development. Both cutworm species had a similar high performance when reared on fertilized seedlings, regardless of the host species.

Contact: Maya Evenden

5. Title: Effect of crop cultivar and soil fertility on larval feeding and oviposition performance and preference of Bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata 39

Author and Associates: Chaminda De Silva Weeraddana, Maya Evenden

Problem: Bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata, is a major pest found throughout canola fields across the Prairie Provinces. Fertilizing crop plants can affect crop morphology and physiology and also plant volatile profiles. These changes may affect oviposition performance and preference and larval performance of Bertha armyworm. This study tests crop fertilizer and different canola varieties on Bertha armyworm oviposition performance and preference, larval performance and offspring fitness and plant volatile profile.

Objectives:

1. To examine Bertha armyworm oviposition preference with different fertilizer treatments

2. To examine the effect of different fertilizer treatments on canola plant volatiles

Methodology:

Objective 1: The experiment was conducting as a completely randomized design (n=15). Only Q2 cultivar was selected for the choice preference experiment with three fertilizer levels (20-20-20 NPK: 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 g). Five pairs of adult moths were introduced into each cage for three days. Total egg numbers were counted in each plants after three days.

Objective 2: The experiment was conducting as a completely randomized design (n=15). Only Q2 cultivar was selected for the plant volatile experiment with all four fertilizer levels NPK (20-20-20) treatments (1.0, 3.0, 5.0 g). Plant volatiles were collected from each treatment.

Results:

Fig. 1 Mean ± SE eggs by Bertha armyworm females on Q2 Canola with different fertilization regimes

1000

800

600

400

200

0 Low Moderate High

Fertilizer treatments

40

Objective 1 results: Adult bertha armyworm preferred to lay more eggs on moderate (3 g) and high fertilizer (5 g) treatments as compared to low fertilizer treatments (1 g) (P= 0.003). However there was no significant difference between the high and moderate fertilizer treatments on oviposition.

Objective 2 results: Plant volatiles were collected and kept it under -80 0C until analysis. GC-MS analysing method were optimized and volatiles will be analysed.

Contact: Maya Evenden

6. Title: Oviposition preference and larval performance of Bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata, on canola infected with club root

Problem: Club root disease, caused by a soil borne obligate biotrophic protist, Plasmodiophora brassicae, is considered one of the major threats to canola. Pathogen spores can survive in the soil for at least 20 years and thus it is difficult to control. Both club root and Bertha armyworm infestations are major problems for Alberta canola producers, thus it is important to study the potential interaction between club root diseased plants and Bertha armyworm to properly manage both threats. The life cycle of P. brassicae consists of two stages: root hair infection (primary infection) followed by root cortical colonization (secondary infection). The use of resistant cultivars is an important strategy used in club root disease management. The main differences between resistant and susceptible cultivars are mostly primary infection occurs in resistant cultivars and secondary infection occurs in the susceptible cultivars. Since resistant cultivars having only primary infection, we can’t observe any club root symptoms. The question we are asking in this research is whether or not resistant and susceptible canola cultivars with and without club root infection might have different responses on Bertha armywom oviposition and larval feeding.

Objectives:

1. To examine the oviposition performance and preference of adult Bertha armyworm on P. brassicae infected and uninfected resistant (Pioneer 45H29) and susceptible (Pioneer 45H26) canola plants in a no- choice experiment 2. To examine larval growth and survival of Bertha armyworm on P. brassicae infected and uninfected resistant and susceptible canola plants in a no-choice experiment 3. To examine molecular changes following P. brassicae – Bertha armyworm infestation in resistant and susceptible canola plants 4. Measurement of volatiles released by infected and uninfected plants will also be conducted prior to oviposition.

Methodology: Oviposition performance was assessed in a no-choice experiments (n=18) in a completely randomized block design. Time was considered as a blocking factor. Three pairs of moths were allowed only for four consecutive days for oviposition. Plant height, total number of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight, and severity disease index (SDX) and total number of eggs were measured.

Preliminary results: The resistant canola cultivar did not get any club root disease with club root pathogen. The growth of resistant canola plants with club root was similar to that of uninfected control plants. However,

41 the susceptible cultivar was heavily infected with club root. Preliminary data showed that the susceptible cultivar with club root is resistant to Bertha armyworm oviposition. On the other hand, the resistant cultivar was much more susceptible to Bertha armyworm oviposition with club root infection as compared to without infection.

Continuing Research: Experiments on objectives 2, 3, 4, and 5 are on-going.

Contact: Maya Evenden

7. Title: Development of a semiochemical-based monitoring system to monitor the invasion of pea leaf weevil in the Prairie Provinces.

Author and Associates: Amanda St.Onge, Maya Evenden, Hector Carcamo, Scott Meers

Problem: The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus (Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae), is an invasive pest of field pea Pisum sativum and faba beans Vicia faba (Fabales: Fabaceae) in the Prairie Provinces. A population of S. lineatus became established in southern British Columbia in the 1930s. In 1997, S. lineatus was first recorded in Alberta; by 2007, its range expanded into Saskatchewan. A semiochemical-based monitoring system will enable widespread, producer-based monitoring of this pest’s invasion. Initial studies found S. lineatus to be attracted to pitfall traps baited with aggregation pheromone in both the spring and fall and suggested that the addition of bean volatiles may enhance attraction to the aggregation pheromone. Once a semiochemical lure is optimized, it may be useful in control strategies as well as a monitoring tool.

Objective: The objective of this research is to develop a semiochemical-based monitoring system for S. lineatus in the prairie provinces.

Summary of results (of work completed):

In 2013, we conducted a field experiment to determine the optimal aggregation pheromone lure to attract S. lineatus. In this experiment, we tested four release rates of aggregation pheromone (4-methyl-3,5- heptanedione) with or without host plant volatiles (linalool, Z-3-hexenol, and Z-3-hexenyl acetate). Lures were tested in pitfall traps containing plumbing antifreeze. A linear transect of pitfall traps was placed at the edge of pea fields in southern Alberta, with one trap per lure type. Traps baited with host plant volatiles captured significantly more S. lineatus than traps baited with aggregation pheromone alone. The two most attractive pheromone lures from this experiment were tested in combination with host plant volatiles in the field in 2014. Three release rates of aggregation pheromone (zero, low, and high) and three release rates of host plant volatiles (zero, low and high) were tested together in all nine possible combinations. Traps were placed in a similar design to the 2013 experiment and were checked weekly from May to June and from August to September, when adult S. lineatus are active. Collected S. lineatus were separated by sex and tallied. We captured equal sex ratios of male and female S. lineatus in May to June but not from August to September. Traps with a combination of host plant volatiles and pheromone were significantly more attractive than pheromone-baited traps at the end of the growing season but not at the beginning. At the end

42 of the growing season, we captured both newly eclosed and 1-year old S. lineatus adults, which can easily be distinguished based on the level of sklerotization.

In 2015, we performed a field experiment comparing the two most attractive lures identified in our previous studies. Traps baited with either a low release rate of pheromone or with a low release rate of pheromone combined with a low release of host plant volatiles. These traps were placed in pea fields in May and checked weekly until mid-September. To determine if there is a correlation between S. lineatus captures in our traps and with real S. lineatus populations in a field, we measured adult feeding damage and larval feeding damage in each field. Data from this experiment are being analyzed.

In 2015, we also tested the response of S. lineatus adults to their aggregation pheromone and host plant volatiles under controlled conditions using olfactometer bioassays. These tests were performed to investigate plasticity in the response of weevils to these volatiles during their adult life. Individual S. lineatus adults were placed in an arena and exposed to four odour sources: 5 male S. lineatus adults, 5 males on a 4- to 6- node pea plant, a pea plant alone, or a blank control. The response of each individual weevil was recorded for 30 minutes using a video camera. Olfactometer bioassays were performed on both male and female weevils between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, when S. lineatus are active. Seventy weevils were observed at the start of the growing season, when S. lineatus are emerging from overwintering and seeking mates. Another seventy weevils were observed during the peak of mating activity, and another seventy observed at the end of the growing season when weevils are seeking overwintering sites. This experiment will help us gain a better understanding of which subset of a S. lineatus population is likely to respond to our semiochemical-baited traps throughout the course of the growing season.

Contact: Maya Evenden

8. Title: Mark-recapture to test the attractive radius of semiochemical-baited traps to the pea leaf weevil (Sitona lineatus)

Author and Associates: Evenden, M.L.1, Sjolie, D.M.1, Reddy, G.V.P.2, Carcamo, H.A3,

Address: 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

2 Western Triangle Agriculture Research Station, Montana State University, Conrad, MT, USA

3Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB

Problem: The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus (Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae), is an invasive pest of field pea Pisum sativum and faba beans Vicia faba (Fabales: Fabaceae) in the Prairie Provinces. A semiochemical-based monitoring system will enable widespread, producer-based monitoring of this pest’s invasion. Initial studies found S. lineatus to be attracted to pitfall traps baited with aggregation pheromone in both the spring and fall and suggested that the addition of bean volatiles may enhance attraction to the aggregation pheromone. The

43 current study is designed to determine the attractive radius of semiochemical-baited traps. This information will be necessary to establish an effective area-wide monitoring program for the pea leaf weevil.

Objective: Determine the attractive radius of semiochemical-baited pea leaf weevil traps in order to better interpret the relationship between trap catch and population density.

Methodology: Adult pea leaf weevils were collected by hand in alfalfa fields around Lethbridge, Alberta in mid-August, 2015. Weevils were marked on their pronotum using different colours of nail polish. Three harvested pea fields were selected as release sites; each field site had a trap line with 8 pit fall traps spaced 75m apart and baited with two traps of each treatment (aggregation pheromone in an Eppendorf tube, aggregation pheromone in rubber septa, aggregation pheromone plus bean volatile, unbaited controls). Two hundred and fifty marked individuals were released at each of 7 distances (-100m, 10m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 500m, 10000m) downwind of the trap line. Traps were checked after 24 hours and then at weekly intervals for four weeks thereafter.

Results: Semiochemical-baited traps attracted pea leaf weevils but only two marked individuals of the 5 250 marked weevils have been recovered in the 24 h and 1 week trap collection. Capture of the feral pea leaf weevils indicated that bean volatiles synergized response to aggregation pheromone when traps were positioned in harvested fields.

Fig. 1 Number of non-marked pea leaf weevils captured in semiochemical-baited traps.

1200 1 week 1000

800

600

400

200

MeanWeevils + SE per Trap 0

control pheromone Epheromone S pheromone + bean Semiochemical Treatment Continuing Research: A mark-recapture experiment will be attempted again in 2016. The experimental design will be altered to maximize recapture (fewer sites, fewer release distances, more weevils per release distance). Attempts will also be made to track movement of feral weevils in response to semiochemical- baited traps. Lures will be measured to determine release rates of the different dispensers.

44

Contact: Maya Evenden

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Science and Technology Branch, Lethbridge Research Centre

9. Title: Effects of the landscape structure on abundance of Cereal Leaf Beetle Oulema melanopus and its parasitoid, Tetrastichus julis

Author and Associates: Arash Kheirodin, Alejandro Costamagna, Héctor Cárcamo.

Problem: The cereal leaf beetle as an invasive pest currently increasing its abundance in southern and central Alberta and has further expanded its range to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Objective of Research: Our objective is to use of landscape ecology techniques to quantify landscape features that results in successful establishment of this parasitoid and ultimately in the control of the pest.

Summary of Results: The abundance and percentage parasitism of cereal leaf beetle was assessed in 35 wheat fields in 2014 and 41 fields in 2015 in southern Alberta during the larval stages (early June to end of July). Fields were located within a wide range of agricultural landscapes ranging from simple to highly complex. Landscapes were characterized based on the percentage of the non-crop area (including pasture, native and cultivated grassland, and riparian vegetation) and percentage of cultivated area in proximity with the wheat fields sampled. Preliminary results from 13 fields from 2014 suggest that the parasitoid positively responds to landscape complexity (semi-natural habitat). Higher proportion of semi-natural habitats in the landscape increased the percentage parasitism by T. julis, whereas incidence of crop land decreased it. The response of the cereal leaf beetle to the landscape was inconsistent, and was not strongly affected by the area of wheat fields in the landscape. By contrast, the proportion of barley fields in particular, and cropland in general, had positive effects on beetle abundance.

Continuing Research: The field work is complete.

Contact: Arash Kheirodin

10. Field and laboratory tests of predation on cereal leaf beetle Oulema melanopus

Author and Associates: Arash Kheirodin, Héctor Cárcamo, Alejandro Costamagna.

Problem: The cereal leaf beetle as an invasive pest currently increasing its abundance in southern Alberta and has further expanded its range in the Prairies.

Objective of Research: Our objective is to determine the potential predators of the eggs and larvae of the cereal leaf beetle. Also, to estimate the predation rate of the CLB eggs under field conditions

Summary of Results: This study was conducted in the laboratory of the Lethbridge Research Centre and in fields in southern Alberta, between May and July 2014 and repeated in 2015. Several native predators were 45 tested as potential predators of the cereal leaf beetle eggs and larvae. Three different experiments were performed in laboratory and field conditions. Twelve predator taxa were tested separately for eggs and larvae of the CLB in the petri dishes in a no choice condition during 24 and 48 hours, respectively. In addition, predation rate on CLB eggs was quantified in 10 wheat fields using sentinel egg cards exposed to 24 h of predation by ambient levels of predators. Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests followed by sequential Bonferroni corrections were used to analyze the data of the laboratory experiments. A two-way randomized block design was used to analyze the data of the field egg predation experiment. In general, several ladybeetle species were the most important predators of eggs and larvae of the CLB in the lab. In addition, Carabidae and Staphylinidae also caused significant rates of egg and larval predation. In the field, sentinel eggs showed 20 % mortality rates and differed statistically from controls protected from predation. Our results suggest that cereal fields in Alberta host several species of predators that contribute to biological control for CLB.

Continuing Research: This work is complete but a molecular follow up study is planned.

Contact: Arash Kheirodin

11. Title: Biological control of lygus with Peristenus wasps.

Author and Associates: Catalina Fernandez, Héctor Cárcamo, Peter Mason, Sheree Daniels, Jennifer Otani, Simon Lachance, Tim Haye, Rob Laird

Problem: Lygus bugs are native generalist pests attacking several valuable crops such as canola, alfalfa, faba beans, sunflowers and others. Native Peristenus parasitoid wasps in the Prairies attack lygus nymphs in alfalfa fields at low levels, but not in canola. The European Peristenus digoneutis was introduced to the north east USA and it reduces lygus populations in alfalfa. It has now migrated to eastern Canada to become the dominant Peristenus species. Ecological studies are needed to assess the potential to introduce this species to western Canada.

Objective of Research: To document the phenology of native Peristenus parasitism of lygus in Alberta; To assess host-plant-parasitoid interactions and competition among native and exotic Peristenus species in controlled conditions.

Summary of Results: The dominant Lygus species in the Lethbridge area were L. elisus, L. keltoni and L. borealis but relative dominance depended on habitat. Parasitism rate was calculated using rearing and dissecting methods. Three native Peristenus species were recognized, and each one is univoltine. For the most part the two dominant species occur on a different generation of lygus bugs. Predicting emergence and peak activity of adult parasitoids will help growers to time insecticide applications to avoid harming this beneficial wasp and may aid predicting potential interaction with an exotic species if it was introduced. A choice trial to test the effect of plant species on the parasitism rate of Peristenus digoneutis on lygus nymphs was carried out using canola and alfafa plants. Preliminary data shows a higher level of parasitism on alfalfa than canola plants. An assay is in progress to determine if more lygus nymphs are recovered from alfalfa than canola.

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Scarcity of native Peristenus specimens and challenges in storing cocoons and rearing prevented completion of sufficient replicates to assess potential competition between native and exotic parasitoids.

Continuing Research: The competition assay will be attempted in 2016 subject to funding approval.

Contact: Héctor A. Cárcamo

12. Title: Updating economic thresholds for lygus and seedpod weevils for current hybrid canola

Author and Associates: Héctor Cárcamo, Jennifer Otani, Patty Reid, Jim Broatch, Sheree Daniels, Neil Harker.

Problem: Lygus bugs thresholds for canola were developed for open pollinated cultivars on Westar and Excel in the early 1990’s and validated using Q2 in Alberta in the early 2000’s. Since then, higher yielding more vigorous cultivars, which may tolerate insect feeding better than older cultivars, have been adopted by the industry.

Objective of Research: To update lygus thresholds (and seedpod weevils at Lethbridge) in canola using a current hybrid invigour cultivar. To compare yield responses of the invigour cultivar and Westar (conventional) to lygus feeding in Lacombe.

Summary of Results: In 2015 seeding was completed in May 06, and harvest of the cages was done on August 11. Much of the growing season was hot and dry. Lygus and CSW populations in areas used to collect specimens for stocking cages were abundant, and yielded a greater number of male L. keltoni than female, and the same for CSW ratios. At Lacombe L. lineolaris males were scarce in early July. Populations of lygus and CSW flourished inside the cages and reflected the stocking densities. Populations of flea beetle in the cages were noticed to be high also. One cage had a severe infestation of bertha armyworm (>500), which significantly impacted yield (17.7g). Our companion site at Lacombe suffered hail damage to the cages and completed harvest September 10. A related study was completed in Beaverlodge where lygus were introduced at the late bud stage (see Otani’s reports). A related insecticide plot study at various crop stages was conducted at 3 sites in 2015: Vauxhall, and two east of Lethbridge (Fairfield and Farming Smarter site). Samples are being processed.

Continuing Research: This was the final 4th year for this test. Data analysis to relate lygus to yield will be the focus this fall and winter and results will be included in the final report and presented at industry meetings.

Contact: Héctor A. Cárcamo

13. Title: Reducing necrotic spots on faba beans: lygus, chocolate spot or both? (ACIDF 2015 – 2017).

Author and Associates: S. Chatterton, H. Carcamo, J. Thomas, S. Meers, M. Harding, N. Harker, A. Vandenberg, S. Shirtliffe, R. Bowness, P. Reid, J. Broatch, A. Syrovy, S. Kaur, S. Daniels, S. Erickson, C. Chelle, P. Brar and D. Bruhjell.

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Problem: Faba bean acreage is increasing in central and southern Alberta. Lygus bugs appear to damage the seeds and reduce their marketability; damage could be confounded with chocolate spot and needs further study. In the south, (and as of 2015 in central Alberta) pea leaf weevils also feed heavily on faba beans foliage and nodules.

Objective of Research: To determine lygus abundance and species composition in faba beans and severity of chocolate spot disease in central and southern Alberta and relate it to seed quality. To assess effects of insecticide and fungicide to reduce necrotic spots and protect yields and quality. To elucidate the insect- fungal-plant interactions using controlled assays.

Summary of Results: (If you are expecting a disease report you are in the wrong room! OK no worries, it was a dry year so with the exception of one hailed field that had minor chocolate spot symptoms there was minimal disease) From preliminary sorting of a few samples from the survey, the most common lygus bug in central Alberta was L. lineolaris but towards the east and south in the drier areas, L. borealis and L. keltoni were dominant. Most sites had low lygus numbers and only 2 sites were sprayed by growers. A plot study was completed in Saskatoon, Lacombe, Lethbridge and Vauxhall but only the latter had modest disease symptoms that may have warranted the fungicide application. On the other hand, the plots in Alberta provided spectacular examples of pea leaf weevil damage throughout the entire growing season and needed spraying. A pilot greenhouse study inoculating Botrytis sp. and Lygus borealis was also conducted but seed quality remains to be rated. Pod set was poor in this greenhouse trial probably due to limited pollination or excessive watering or other growing conditions.

Continuing Research: This work will be repeated in 2016 and subject to funding, expanded to include pea leaf weevil in Alberta.

Contact: Syama Chatterton and Héctor Cárcamo

14. Title: Relocation of T. julis for biocontrol of cereal leaf beetle in the Prairies

Author and Associates: Héctor Cárcamo, Cheryl Chelle, John Gavloski, Swaroop Kher, Wendy Leeds, Nancy Melnychuk, Owen Olfert, Alejandro Costamagna, Jim Broatch, Mike Dolinski.

Problem: The cereal leaf beetle has increased in local abundance in southern Alberta and has further expanded its range in the Prairies in 2013.

Objective of Research: To relocate Tetrastichus julis as needed to control cereal leaf beetle in the Prairies.

Summary of Results: In 2015 batches of 500 – 1000 T. julis adults were shipped or hand delivered to collaborators to be released around Edmonton, Lacombe, Leduc, Red Deer, Langenburg (central eastern SK), Roseisle (SW Manitoba), Indian Head, SK. and Carman (Manitoba). The majority of these 8000 or so adults were obtained by field collection of larvae parasitized by T. julis under field conditions in winter wheat and barley and reared in cages in the green house. This method was far more successful than laboratory exposure of insects reared in the laboratory or baiting plants with larvae in the field. 48

Continuing Research: This project is complete. Future efforts should focus on post-release monitoring.

Contact: Héctor Cárcamo

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Beaverlodge Research Farm

15. Title: Prairie Pest Monitoring Network – Peace River region monitoring.

Author and Associates: Jennifer Otani, Owen Olfert, Ross Weiss, Arlan Benn, Julie Soroka, Lars Andreassen

Problem: The Peace River region includes ~3.7 million hectares of farmland and ~1.7 million hectares is in crops. Crop protection, based on in-field monitoring, is vital both for annual and long-term data which helps producers and the agricultural industry deal with in-season pest issues. The data also supports entomological researchers with biodiversity and spatial distribution data over time for our economically significant insect pests and some of their natural enemies. Since 2005, commercial fields near Beaverlodge AB have been monitored during the growing season to generate data used annually for prairie-wide spatial distribution maps and for use in a long-term database supporting federal entomological research in field crop protection. Since 2014, the hiring of a BC Pest Monitoring Contractor also resulted in additional sites monitored.

Objective of Research: To perform weekly in-field monitoring for flea beetles, diamondback moth, Bertha armyworm, leafhoppers, Lygus, swede midge and wheat midge within the Peace River region.

Summary of Results: Sticky traps, pheromone traps, sweep-net and hand-collection of the above insect pests commenced in May and continued weekly until mid-August. In 2015, five commercial fields were monitored within a 25km north-south transect in the AB Peace (i.e., Halcourt-Beaverlodge-Valhalla) plus five additional sites in the BC Peace (i.e., Rolla-Dawson Creek-Fort St. John-Clayhurst). At time of reporting, sticky trap and pheromone trap samples were processed to allow for general summaries although sweep-net samples are scheduled for processing in December 2015.

Sticky card monitoring for flea beetles performed along the field edge at five commercial fields of canola located near Halcourt, Beaverlodge, Hythe, and Grande Prairie amounted to 1373 Crepidodera nana, 1060 Phyllotreta striolata, 40 Psylliodes punctulata, three Chaetcnema protensa, and one P. cruciferae in 2015. Four of the five sites were dominated by P. striolata whereas the site near Halcourt continued a historical preponderance of C. nana with negligible flea beetle feeding damage observed on canola cotyledons during season peaks. The 2015 results represent a historical low in the Beaverlodge AB area for P. cruciferae since sticky card monitoring began in 2001 by AAFC-Beav Staff. In terms of seasonal peaks, flea beetle numbers were highest on sticky cards during collection period May 8-13, 2015, and peaked again during collection period August 12-19, 2015, which is consistent the occurrence of overwintered and new generation adults, respectively.

DBM pheromone trap monitoring in 2015 at the above sites amounted to 463 moths intercepted. Higher numbers of DBM were intercepted at sites near Beaverlodge AB (N=195 DBM) and Grande Prairie AB (N=160 DBM). Seasonal peaks of DBM occurred during collection periods May 13-20, 2015, and June 2-10, 2015, with 49

56 DBM and 71 DBM intercepted at the Beaverlodge site whereas DBM numbers peaked at the Grande Prairie site during collection period May 8-13, 2015, at 50 DBM. Neither site suffered high densities of DBM larvae during the 2015 growing season. Incidentally, 22% DBM parasitism associated with Microplitis mediator and Diadegma insulare was observed at another site near Beaverlodge AB based on 100 larvae collected from the field on July 3, 2015, then reared in the laboratory.

Swede midge pheromone trapping was performed at five sites located near Falher AB, Baldonnel BC, and Rolla BC in 2015. We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Lars Andreassen for processing these samples who reported that zero swede midge were present at these sites in 2015.

Bertha armyworm pheromone trapping was performed by deploying a single trap at five sites located near Halcourt, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valhalla, and Grande Prairie AB in 2015. Only five BAW moths were intercepted during the six weeks of pheromone trap monitoring in 2015 that also included 92 native bees and 599 other noctuid moths. All bees were retained as pinned vouchers at AAFC-Beaverlodge.

Pheromone trap monitoring for wheat midge was performed near Falher, Halcourt, Beaverlodge, and Hythe AB in 2015 and amounted to 5349 intercepted. Two sites near Falher intercepted the highest numbers of wheat midge during the 2015 pheromone monitoring season (i.e., from June 16-August 11, 2015) totaling 2545 and 1824 with seasonal peaks occurring on traps baited with lures produced by both Contech and Great Lakes IPM during collection period June 23-July 1, 2015. At the Halcourt site, a total of 529 WM were intercepted but the seasonal peak occurred during collection period July 6-14, 2015. A total of 337 WM were intercepted near Beaverlodge whereas a total of 114 WM were intercepted near Hythe AB during the 2015 pheromone monitoring season. Soil core sampling was performed at the above sites to assess WM densities and will be included in 2016 Wheat midge forecasting map available in January 2016.

Continuing Research: Monitoring by AAFC Staff is currently supported by WGRF until March 2018.

Contact: Jennifer Otani

16. Title: Damage and yield comparisons estimating Lygus feeding damage during bolting in canola varieties.

Author and Associates: Jennifer Otani, Héctor Cárcamo, Jim Broatch

Problem: The rapid development and registration of canola varieties has outpaced detailed insect-plant studies characterizing yield and quality relationships for many economically significant canola pests in Canada. The economic threshold for Lygus in canola was based on data generated using the varieties Westar and Tobin (Wise and Lamb 1998) and validated using Q2 (Otani and Carcamo 2011), however, fields surveyed in the Peace River region suggest upwards of 80% of commercially grown fields are hybrid, herbicide-tolerant varieties.

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Objective of Research: To compare feeding damage and yield losses in canola varieties (Westar, L150, RR7345) grown in field plot cages containing “high” Lygus densities introduced at bolting and caged on plants until to harvest.

Summary of Results: Field plots were seeded on May 13, 2015, into barley stubble on 9” row spacing using a Conserva-Pak seeder also on 9” row spacing. Plots (each 4m x 10m) were organized using a RCBD with four replicates and three treatments (Westar, L150, RR7345). At late rosette stage (June 18, 2015), pairs of screen cages (each 1m x 1m x 1.5 m tall) were erected in each plot. Lygus adults were mass-collected on June 23, 2015, from volunteer canola near Beaverlodge then sorted by species and sex in order to add a 1:1 male:female ratio of Lygus lineolaris into each “treated” cage (i.e., to provide a total of 20 adults per cage) while “untreated” cages received no Lygus. At late pod stage (August 18, 2015), all arthropods were vacuumed out of cages. Plants were hand-harvested in plots on September 10-11, 2015. Above-ground biomass and yield data was recorded October 15, 2015, with insect samples scheduled for processing in November 2015.

Continuing Research: This study was supported by AAFC-PMC funding in 2011-2012 with additional funding received from ACIDF to extend the study until 2015.

Contact: Jennifer Otani, Héctor A. Cárcamo, Jim Broatch

17. Title: Canola insect surveying - On the lookout for cabbage seedpod weevil and monitoring Lygus in the Peace River region.

Author and Associates: Jennifer Otani, Owen Olfert, Ross Weiss, Arlan Benn

Problem: The survey has been performed since 2003 with the main objectives of collecting canola insect pest data throughout the region and to detect introduction of the Cabbage seedpod weevil into the Peace River region. Sweep-net monitoring has been randomly performed at flower stages in the Peace River region in order to detect movement of the weevil north plus identify damaging populations of other canola insect pests occurring in commercial fields.

Objective of Research:

1) To detect the movement of cabbage seedpod weevil into canola production in the Peace River region. 2) To assess Lygus populations at full-flower stage of canola development. 3) To detect economically significant pests occurring in canola (e.g., grasshoppers, clover cutworms, leafhoppers).

Summary of Results: A total of 162 canola fields were randomly selected at ~10km distances while surveying through the main canola producing areas within the BC and Alberta Peace during early- to mid-flower stages. Sweep-net sampling was conducted by performing 50 - 180° sweeps per canola field (N=0 B. rapa + 162 B.

51 napus) on the following dates in these areas. In 2015, dry growing conditions following seeding affected the entire Peace River region but particularly in the far north which also received repeated frost events.

Sweep-net samples were frozen then processed to generate data for 16 species of arthropods. Lygus specimens were identified to all five instar stages. The 2015 summary includes seven economically important pests of canola reported from 162 surveyed canola fields:

1. Lygus (Miridae: Lygus spp.) were the most common insect pest observed in sweep-net samples collected in our 2015 surveying. Lygus populations of ≥5 adults plus nymphs per 10 sweeps were observed in 40.1% of fields surveyed (Figure 1 and Table 1; N=162 fields). Densities of ≥15 adults plus nymphs per 10 sweeps were recorded in 7.4% of fields surveyed (Figure 1 and Table 1).

2. Grasshoppers were present in 35 of 162 canola fields surveyed. Late-instar and adult stages of two- striped, clearwinged, lesser migratory, and red legged grasshoppers were present in the sweep-net samples (listed from most numerous to least) in canola growing near Valleyview, Eaglesham, Whitemud Creek, Manning, Bluesky, Blueberry Mountain, Peace River, Ridge Valley, DeBolt, Rose Prairie, Rycroft, Hotchkiss, Savannah, Berwyn, Bonanza, Farmington, Beaverlodge, Blue Hills, Teepee Creek, Sturgeon Lake, Wembley, LaGlace, Poplar Ridge, Bridgeview, Dixonville, Tangent, Fairview, and Royce.

3. Diamondback moth (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella) were generally present in low numbers in the sweep- net samples (N=162 fields) in 2015. Sweep-net monitoring is NOT recommended for this insect pest yet we collected a total of 672 specimens from 162 fields in 2015 compared to 230 specimens in the 206 fields in 2014 and 93.6% of the 672 specimens were DBM larvae. Sites with higher numbers of DBM included Valleyview, Farmington, Ridge Valley, Baldonnel, Donnelly, Fort St. John, Beaverlodge, Blue Hills, and DeBolt. It’s important to note that parasitoid wasps (e.g., Diadegma sp. and Microplitis sp.) were observed throughout the region and the presence of these natural enemies is strongly suspected to be regulating DBM densities.

4. Root maggot (Delia sp.) adults were again prevalent in fields and were collected from 122 of the 162 sites surveyed throughout the Peace River region in 2015. Numbers collected by sweep-net surveying ranged from 0.2-5.6 Delia sp. flies per 10 sweeps versus 0.2-10 flies per 10 sweeps in 2014 but growers should note – root assessments, rather than sweep-net monitoring, is recommended to accurately assess densities of root maggots.

5. Normally, the annual canola survey is conducted during the initial weeks of the Bertha armyworm adult flight period so larval stages, if present, are typically very small and difficult to accurately detect and identify within the sweep-net samples. Even so, seven of 162 fields surveyed contained early instar larvae tentatively suspected as Bertha armyworm larvae (e.g., Hawk Hills, Blue Hills, Valleyview, Guy, LaGlace and Scotswood). It should also be noted that early instar larvae suspected as Salt Marsh Caterpillars were tentatively identified from three fields surveyed (e.g., Doe River, Clayhurst, Taylor).

6. Leafhoppers were observed in 69 of 162 fields yet densities were consistently low in our canola sweep-net samples in 2015. The highest density was six per 50 sweeps in a canola field near Fort Vermilion and near Bezanson.

7. We are again happy to report that zero cabbage seedpod weevil (Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchus obstrictus) were observed in the 162 fields sampled in the Peace River region in 2015. Approximately nine small 52

weevils measuring <4mm in length and <20 beetles measuring <5mm in length were retained from the survey samples for forwarding to the National Identification System (AAFC-Ottawa) for species confirmation.

THANK YOU to the following hard working AAFC staff who surveyed†, processed‡, and mapped∞ this data: Owen Olfert2†∞, Ross Weiss2†∞, Shelby Dufton1†‡, Amanda Jorgensen1†‡, Holly Spence1†‡, Andras Szeitz1†‡, Jadin Chahade1†‡, and Kaitlin Freeman1†‡. Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, Thank you to our canola producers for allowing us to sample in their fields.

Continuing Research: Insect surveying in canola will continue annually in the Peace River region. This research is funded by A-Base funding 2011-2014 and kindly supported by WGRF into 2018.

Contact: Jennifer Otani

18. Title: Investigating pest management strategies for the red clover casebearer (Coleophora deauratella) in seed production.

Author and Associates: Jennifer Otani

Problem: Insect monitoring in red clover seed production fields in the Peace River region between 2006-2007 revealed that Coleophora deauratella Lienig & Zeller (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) is now established throughout the region. The red clover casebearer (RCCB) is the dominant insect pest causing significant yield losses in both first- and second-year seed stands of red clover. The objectives of the project are to continue studies examining the biology of this new insect pest and to further characterize the nature of the insect-plant association between C. deauratella in both red and alsike clovers grown for seed production.

Objectives of Research:

1) To examine the phenology of C. deauratella in relation to red and alsike clover seed production. 2) To investigate yield and seed quality losses in red clover due to natural infestations of C. deauratella. 3) To investigate natural enemies of C. deauratella.

Summary of Results: The seasonal phenology of C. deauratella and C. mayrella were monitored using commercially available pheromone traps and weekly sweep-net collections performed near Falher and Beaverlodge in 2015. A total of 13780 RCCB moths were collected in pheromone traps during the 2015 season at three sites near Falher and one site near Beaverlodge. Pheromone traps were checked weekly and revealed that RCCB moth peaks occurred at two of the Falher sites the week of July 1st with an average of 80 RCCB per trap per day intercepted while the third Falher site positioned on alsike clover peaked with an average of 310 RCCB per trap per day the week of July 8th. Over near Beaverlodge, 278 RCCB per trap per day occurred on a third-year stand of red clover the week of July 17th. Pheromone trap counts will be compared to weekly sweep-net sampling scheduled for processing in January 2016.

In 2011, the IPM lab focused on parasitoid rearing following the first successful rearing of multiple hymenopteran parasitoids from 2010 fall collections. Fall field trash collected in October of 2011 yielded a 53 small number of overwintering C. deauratella cases and ~8 parasitoid wasps were reared. Subsequent Fall collections of overwintering C. deauratella larvae in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were similarly singly-reared to produce parasitoids but overwintering mortality remained high which rendered parasitism estimates suspiciously low. Volunteer red clover was surveyed in August 2015 throughout the Peace River region and C. deauratella larvae were preserved in ethanol in order to pursue molecular methods to investigate parasitoid species diversity and parasitism levels which was proposed in a new A-Base Biological Control project.

Continuing Research: This project is funded by an AgriScience Project and A-Base Biological Control Project. Parasitoid surveying will be performed in 2014-2015 across the Peace River region in order to identify beneficial parasitoid distributions and parasitism rates for three introduced casebearer species including C. deauratella, C. mayrella and C. trifolii. Surveying efforts are intended to estimate the distribution of these beneficials using (i) traditional taxonomic (morphological characteristics) and (ii) molecular techniques.

Contact: Jennifer Otani

19. Title: CARP Cutworm Research Project – Cutworms affecting canola production within the Peace River region.

Author and Associates: Jennifer Otani, Arlan Benn, Kayleigh Loberg, Shelby Dufton, Jeremy Hummel, Jim Broatch, Patty Reid, Martin Erlandson, Jennifer Holowachuk, Barb Sharanowski, Udari Wanaskewan, Vincent Hervet, Scott Meers, Scott Hartley, John Gavloski, Kevin Floate

Problem: Cutworms are a complex of noctuid species which outbreak sporadically across the Canadian prairies. Historically, pale western, army, and redbacked species have caused economic damage in newly seeded field crops. However, recent cutworm outbreaks have been associated with lesser-known cutworm species. The present research is part of a larger CARP Cutworm project which spans the Canadian prairies and is funded until 2015.

Objectives of Research:

1) Identify cutworm larvae occurring in agricultural field crops and with an emphasis on canola production systems. 2) Characterize the distribution and densities of cutworms across the Canadian prairies. 3) Identify and quantify natural enemies attacking cutworms within the canola production system.

Summary of Results: Cutworm densities were again relatively low throughout the AB and BC areas of the Peace River region in 2015. A total of 236 cutworms were retrieved for rearing at AAFC-Beav in 2015 with the majority collected in wheat (N=117 cutworms) then canola (N=85 cutworms) with the remaining specimens collected in timothy grown for seed (N=18), alfalfa (N=6), and from gardens. Species identifications will be confirmed using photographic records and multiplex PCR or CO1 sequencing. Parasitism rates, based on laboratory rearing of individual cutworms, ranged from 0-28% when cutworms were sorted according to host crop yet numerous cutworms died as a result of “rearing mortality” (N=179) which was likely associated with

54 viral or bacterial diseases. Specimen preservation and identification will continue during the winter but the project is scheduled to wrap up this year.

Continuing Research: This is part of the larger, prairie-wide CARP Cutworm Research Project funded from 2012-2015.

Contact: Jennifer Otani

20. Title: Integrated approaches for flea beetle control – Economic thresholds, prediction models, landscape effects, and natural enemies.

Author and Associates: Alejandro Costamagna, Jennifer Otani, Héctor Cárcamo, Tyler Wist, Ana Maria Dal Molin, Barb Sharanowski, John Gavloski, Rishi Burlakoti

Problem: Flea beetles are chronic pests on canola and result in yield losses estimated in CAN $300 million each year (Dosdall and Mason, 2010). In Canada, three species are responsible for most of the damage: the exotics Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and P. striolata (Fab.), and the native Psylloides punctulata Melsh (Soroka and Elliott, 2011). Severe economic damage typically occurs in the spring through defoliation of canola seedlings by adults emerging from overwintering. Currently, the most widespread technique to control flea beetles in North America is the use of preventive insecticide treatments in canola seeds followed by foliar sprays if damage is still prevalent (Dosdall and Mason, 2010), resulting in more than 90% of the crop receiving pesticide applications for these pests (Tangtrakulwanich et al., 2014).

Objectives of Research:

1) Investigate descriptive economic thresholds for flea beetles; 2) Identify the suite of natural enemies of flea beetles using innovative molecular methods; 3) Define landscape characteristics that limit flea beetle populations and increase mortality of flea beetles by natural enemies; 4) Develop models to predict flea beetle emergence and major seasonal activity based on abiotic environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, precipitation, wind, soil temperature); 5) Incorporate all components of the project into a comprehensive tool and set of management guidelines for canola producers.

Summary of Results: Field plots of Brassica napus cv. 43E03 were seeded on May 23, 2015, into barley stubble using a Conserva-Pak seeder on 9” row spacing. Plots (each 4m x 10m) were organized using a RCBD with four replicates and six treatments consisting of two commercially available seed treatments (Lumiderm™+Helix Xtra®+Vibrance™ or Helix Xtra®+Vibrance™), and bare seed that either remained untreated throughout the growing season, received a foliar application of Matador® (34.4ml/ac) at 10-15% flea beetle defoliation, 25% flea beetle defoliation, or 45% flea beetle defoliation of cotyledons. After seeding was completed, ten yellow sticky card traps were deployed between replicates to monitor weekly flea beetle activity in the field plot study until harvest. During seedling emergence, plant stand counts and flea beetle

55 damage assessments were performed three times a week in all plots in order to apply prescribed insecticide treatments. Flea beetle damage ranged up to 87% in bare seed plots at AAFC-Beav in 2015 where Phyllotreta striolata were the dominant species present. Hand-harvested samples (each 1m x 1m) were cut from each plot on August 28, 2015, and threshed and cleaned on October 15, 2015. Plots were swathed August 31, 2015, and combined on September 18, 2015. The preliminary harvest data indicated yields were lowest in plots seeded with bare seed that suffered 45% flea beetle damage before being sprayed with insecticide. The highest yields at AAFC-Beav were recorded from plots grown with seed treated with Helix Xtra+Vibrance but green seed, percent oil and protein content data have yet to be recorded for the 2015 growing season.

In addition to the above field plot study, four commercial fields of canola were monitored through the growing season using sticky traps with flea beetle damage assessments performed during seedling establishment in 2015. Landscape area maps were created for a 2km radius from commercial field sites in order to characterize the ground cover for subsequent GIS mapping. Seasonal flea beetle species were dominated by Phyllotreta striolata at three sites and Crepidodera nana was the most abundant flea beetle at a fourth site near Beaverlodge AB in 2015.

In southern Alberta, the plot study was established near Lethbridge and Vauxhall, but only the latter had enough flea beetle damage to implement foliar sprays at 15 and 25%. No significant differences were observed in yield among treatments although they were lower in plots with untreated seed than seed treated with insecticide. The landscape study was conducted in 14 sites. These and another 6 sites were also sampled with a sweep net at flower and pod stages to relate landscape variables to seedpod weevil and lygus bugs. Similar work was done in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (see Wist’s and Costamagna’s report).

Continuing Research: This is part of the larger, prairie-wide CARP – AIP (AAFC) Flea beetle Research Project funded from 2015 - 2018.

Contact: Jennifer Otani

21. Title: Alberta Alfalfa Insect Survey

Author and Associates: Scott Meers, Heather Leibel, Kathrin Sim

Problem: Two insects have been increasing in importance in Alfalfa in Alberta over the past several years. Alfalfa weevil is causing more damage than has been normal and has been increasing its range as well. Alfalfa blotch miner is relatively new to the province.

Objective: Delineation of alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) and alfalfa leaf blotch miner (Agromyza frontella) range in Alberta. Characterization of the severity of the damage from these two pests. In addition a census of the other insects that are found in alfalfa fields across the province.

Summary results (of work completed): In June/July 2014 and 2015 a survey of alfalfa fields was completed from Warner to Fort Vermilion (150 in 2014 and 100 in 2015). Each field sample consisted of ten-180 degree sweeps from 10 locations and 3 stems from those 10 locations. Data were collected for each field including 56 stand condition and percentage of alfalfa in the stand. All insects were identified to at least order and counted with specific groups and species counted separately.

The alfalfa weevil and the leaf miner ranges are much larger than anticipated. There are issues identifying exact causes of leaf miner damage because there appears to be different kinds of mines so likely there are various species involved.

Ceutorhynchus punctiger, whose larvae feed on dandelion seeds, was confirmed in several locations in the province.

The number of mites, springtails and thrips found in the samples is very surprising. Often these three categories made up the largest number of individuals found in the sample. None of these were identified to species. Every ladybird beetle (ladybug) found was identified to species and several very interesting species were found. At the completion of the project many of these will go into provincial records to help fill in ranges and occurrence records.

Four pairs of 4 fields (2 canola and 2 alfalfa) were sampled in in Rockyview, Mountain View and Red Deer counties in order to track lygus numbers and the potential migration from harvested alfalfa fields into neighboring canola fields.

Field work for the 2015 season has been completed but samples have not been processed.

Continuing research: We will be collecting the larvae from the leaf mines and using DNA barcoding to differentiate the species responsible. Further work on the hymenoptera in the samples will be carried out to attempt to determine if potential parasitoids are present.

22. Title: Development and Implementation of Weather based near real time Crop Insect Pest Monitoring\Prediction model and Program for Alberta

Author and Associates: Swaroop Kher, Daniel Itenfisu and Scott Meers

Problem: Infestations of potentially damaging insect pests can cause severe yield losses, and managing insect populations can be challenging (Dent 2005; Olfert 2012). The seasonality of pest occurrence, complex life cycles and interactions of pest species with the agroecosystem components make it difficult to track the development of important pest species. Correlating insect phenologies with local weather can provide critical inputs for developing efficient pest forecasting programmes (Ascerno 1991). Forecasting of regional pest population dynamics and activity patterns over a growing season supported by near real time weather data can help stakeholders in pest management in implementing pest management decisions effectively (Damos and Karabatakis 2013). Currently, operational weather-based phenology models for major insect pests are lacking in Alberta, and there is a need to develop reliable decision support system to provide early warning of pest infestations to the agricultural stakeholders.

Objective: The aim is to develop and implement a provincial weather-based near real time (NRT) insect pest prediction model as a web-based risk management tool for three significant insect pests: bertha armyworm, 57 alfalfa weevil and wheat midge belonging to three major crop ecosystems (wheat, canola and alfalfa). The models will assist in timely and informed decision making for effective pest management. The models will account for tritrophic interactions between host crops, insect pests and their natural enemies.

Summary results (of work completed): Data were collected on the phenological development of the three target insect pest species, the wheat midge, bertha armyworm and alfalfa weevil across south, central and north Alberta. On-site weather data collection was conducted at four sites using sophisticated, near-real time portable weather stations designed to record weather parameters at an hourly time step. Additionally, data logger based weather stations were deployed at 8 sites to collect data on daily temperature and relative humidity. The data on insect phenological development included population census data for each developmental stage from egg through adult. For wheat midge, numbers of post-diapausing populations were estimated using early spring soil samples while the populations of adults were monitored using pheromone and emergence traps. Alfalfa weevil populations were estimated using sweep sampling and hand collection. Bertha armyworm moth flight data were collected using pheromone traps. Information on levels of parasitization observed in each insect species was collected by larval dissections. Data on crop growth stages was marked. The data are currently being analyzed for consequently developing phenological developmental models for each target species.

Continuing research: The data on weather parameters and pest phenology will be collected in the summer of 2016 to include more field sites. We will also deploy more on-site weather monitoring systems across the province to improve precision of the models.

Contact: Swaroop Kher

University of Lethbridge

23. Title: Host range and effect of host diet on the parasitoid wasp, Cotesia vanessae (Braconidae).

Author and associates: Vincent Hervet, Kevin Floate, Robert Laird.

Problem: Reports of cutworm outbreaks are persisting on the Canadian prairies. The number of affected fields is relatively low, but localized damage can be severe. Results of a survey in 2013 for Alberta identify the main crops attacked and the associated pest species as: peas (redbacked and pale western cutworms), canola (redbacked, pale western, army and dingy cutworms), and grain crops (army cutworm)1. Multiple species of cutworms were present in most cases, including mainly subterranean species. In these cases chemical control can be ineffective.

Objective of research: Cotesia vanessae (Braconidae) is a European species of wasp newly recorded from North America2. The current research was performed to determine its potential to affect populations of pestiferous cutworms, and non-pest species of other Lepidoptera.

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Summary of results: The parasitoid has been found to be a good biological control agent of many pest species of cutworms and loopers of the Canadian Prairies. Although this parasitoid was also able to kill a few non-pest species.

Out of 47 species of moths and butterfly (34 pests and 13 non-pests) tested for the investigation of the North American host range of the parasitoid Cotesia vanessae, we found 33 new hosts (25 pests and 8 non-pests) for this parasitoids. Experiments were based on about 30 larvae tested per caterpillar species. The percent of exposed larvae from which parasitic wasps emerged was as follows:

- Pestiferous species tested: redbacked cutworm (97%), soybean looper (97 %), clover cutworm (94 %), winter cutworm (93 %), celery looper (87 %), cabbage looper (87 %), darksided cutworm (84 %), army cutworm (83 %), alfalfa looper (81 %), early cutworm (59 %), dingy cutworm (89 %), Barnes’ climbing cutworm (77 %), glassy cutworm (75 %), wood-colored Apamea (63 %), Abagrotis reedi (60 %), tobacco budworm (50 %), true armyworm (20 %), great brocade (27 %), wheat head armyworm (18 %), Feltia herilis (17 %), bordered apamea (12 %), black cutworm (11 %), Bertha armyworm (7 %), corn earworm (2 %), bristly cutworm (0 %), corn earworm (0 %), beet armyworm (0 %), southern armyworm (0 %), fall armyworm (0 %), spotted cutworm (0 %), Lacinipolia vicina (0 %), velvetbean caterpillar (0 %), introduced cabbage white (0 %).

- Non-pestiferous species tested: green arches (90 %), caradrina morpheus (80 %), catocaline dart (76 %), Actebia squalida (63 %), Vancouver dart (40 %), Milbert’s tortoiseshell (39 %), Spiramater (Lacanobia) grandis (7 %), aster cutworm (0 %), rosewing moth (0 %), scribe moth (0 %), spurge hawk-moth (0 %), yellow woolly bear (0 %).

All of the above species mentioned whose rates of parasitism are not 0 % are new host records for the parasitoid wasp Cotesia vanessae.

An additional two positive new hosts we found but on which we didn’t assess percent parasitism are: the w- marked cutworm (a pest) and the mouse moth (not a pest).

We found that the average number of wasps produced per host caterpillar and the weight of these wasps is inversely correlated; i.e., in many cases the more there are parasitoids developing within a host, the smaller these parasitoids are. Number and weights of parasitoids are also correlated with host species. We found that the Plusiinae (i.e., “looper”) caterpillars are the better hosts: their percent of successful parasitism is very high (81 to 97 %), they produce the more parasitoids than other hosts, parasitoids produced have the highest weights, and the parasitoids develop faster in loopers than in other host species.

Our investigation also showed that Cotesia vanessae has the ability to induce caterpillars’ death by disabling the caterpillars’ digestive functions, even if parasitoids do not complete development within these caterpillars (in this case both the caterpillar and the parasitoids within die); i.e., in our experiments 100 % fall armyworm stung by Cotesia vanessae died, as well as 100 % of clover cutworms of a specific genetic strain, some black cutworms (51 % of stung individuals), and likely also individuals of other species that we did not detect.

Wasps studied were parthenogenetic females (no males).* In a separate experiment we found that there is a correlation between the quality of the food (in term of protein content) ingested by a caterpillar and the

59 fitness of parasitoids infecting this caterpillar. More precisely, we found that parasitoid fitness is actually strongly correlated with host fitness, and host fitness is correlated with its food quality.

1 http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app68/listings/cutworm/cutworm_map.jsp

2 Hervet, V.A., H. Murillo, J.L. Fernández-Triana, M.R. Shaw, R.A. Laird and K.D. Floate, 2014. First report of Cotesia vanessae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in North America. The Canadian Entomologist, 146(5), pp. 560- 566.

* Research funded by the Canola Council of Canada and by the Alberta Conservation Association.

Continuing research: Experimentations complete. Research is currently being written.

Contacts: Vincent Hervet, Kevin Floate.

Contributor’s Contact Information

CÁRCAMO, Héctor, PhD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403-1 Avenue South, P.O. Box 3000, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4B1. Tel. 403-317-2247, e-mail: [email protected]

BATALLAS, Ronald, MSc Candidate University of Alberta, ES 214A, Biological Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Tel.780-492-1873, e-mail: [email protected]

CARDINAL, Sophie Ph.D. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6 Tel. 613-759- 1797, e-mail: [email protected]

DE SILVA WEERADDANA, Chaminda, PhD Candidate University of Alberta, ES 214A, Biological Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Tel.780-492-1873, e-mail: [email protected]

EVENDEN, Maya, PhD University of Alberta, ES 214A, Biological Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Tel.780-492-1873, e-mail: [email protected]

FERNANDEZ, Catalina, MSc Candidate University of Lethbridge and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403-1 Avenue South, P.O. Box 3000, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4B1. Tel. 403- 317-2247, e-mail: [email protected]

HERVET, Vincent, PhD Candidate University of Lethbridge, Department of Biological Sciences, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, tel. 403-327-4561 ext. 4244, e-mail: [email protected]

JAVOREK, Steven K. Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, 32 Main Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia. B4N 1J5, Tel. 902- 365-855, e-mail: [email protected]

KHER, Swaroop, PhD Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, 7000-113 St, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6 [email protected]

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MEERS, Scott, MSc Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Crop Diversification Centre South, 301 Horticultural Station Road East, Brooks, Alberta, T1R 1E6, e-mail: [email protected]

OTANI, Jennifer, MSc Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, Alberta, T0H 0C0, tel. 780-354-5132, e-mail: [email protected]

ST. ONGE, Amanda, MSc Candidate University of Alberta, ES 214A, Biological Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Tel.780-492-1873, e-mail: [email protected]

WONNECK, Mark Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 700 6 Avenue SW Suite 320, 700 6 avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, Tel. 403-860-9078, e-mail: [email protected]

WESTERN COMMITTEE ON CROP PESTS – 2015 SASKATCHEWAN ENTOMOLOGY RESEARCH SUMMARY Abbotsford, BC, October 21-23, 2015

Compiled by Owen Olfert

SASKATCHEWAN ALFALFA LEAFCUTTING BEE 2015 INSECT PEST RESEARCH REPORT

Title: Research on parasitoids and disease in alfalfa leafcutting bee populations

Author and Associates: D.W. Goerzen (SASPDC) and M.A. Erlandson (AAFC - Saskatoon)

Problem: The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata, is an important pollinator of alfalfa, blueberry, and hybrid canola grown for seed production. Infestations of the chalcid parasitoid Pteromalus venustus cause significant losses in many western Canadian alfalfa leafcutting bee populations, and bee reproduction is also negatively impacted by occurrence of fungal diseases including Ascosphaera aggregata and A. larvis.

Objective of Research: This research project involves monitoring parasitoid and disease levels in Saskatchewan alfalfa leafcutting bee populations, and developing strategies for parasitoid and disease control which will assist alfalfa seed producers in maintaining high quality alfalfa leafcutting bee populations.

Summary of Results: In the 2014 - 2015 winter survey of Saskatchewan alfalfa leafcutting bee populations, the parasitoid P. venustus was detected in 0.37% (range 0.00 - 4.95% / sd 0.77) of bee cells analysed from samples submitted by producers (n = 81). P. venustus was present in 38.3% of bee populations surveyed. The parasitoid has traditionally been controlled during the bee incubation period with dichlorvos resin strips; dichlorvos has been implicated in bee mortality and is among insecticides under ongoing PMRA / EPA review. Research currently 61 underway involves work on identification of alternative compounds (including essential oils and other volatile organic compounds) which might be incorporated into new strategies for the control of P. venustus in M. rotundata populations. Work is also being undertaken to evaluate the potential for utilizing a male-killing symbiont (Arsenophonus nasoniae) for control of P. venustus.

Occurrence of chalkbrood disease (A. aggregata) was also evaluated in the 2014 - 2015 winter survey of Saskatchewan alfalfa leafcutting bee populations. No occurrence of the non-sporulating form of the disease was detected, while the sporulating form was present in 0.002% (range 0.00 - 0.17% / sd 0.019) of bee cells analysed. Occurrence of A. aggregata is a major problem in U.S. alfalfa leafcutting bee populations, with disease-related bee losses exceeding 30% in some areas; levels of the disease vary widely in western Canadian bee populations. Paraformaldehyde fumigation and bleach dipping are commonly utilized to treat bee cells and nest material for control of microflora including Ascosphaera species. Current research to develop alternative disease control strategies has involved evaluation of anti-microbial compounds and antagonistic fungal species which may be efficacious for control of A. aggregata and A. larvis.

Continuing Research: Research to develop strategies for control of parasitoids and disease in alfalfa leafcutting bee populations is ongoing.

Contact: D.W Goerzen, SASPDC - LCB Research Project, 127 E - 116 Research Drive. Saskatoon, SK S7N 3R3, e-mail: [email protected]

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AAFC – SASKATOON RESEARCH CENTRE

1. Title: Swede midge monitoring and biology on the prairies.

Author and Associates: Julie Soroka, Lars Andreassen, AAFC Saskatoon, with funding from AAFC-CCC Canola Cluster, SaskCanola and ACIDF, and collaboration from 70 individuals, companies, and producers.

Problem: Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a devastating new pest in Ontario canola production. Damage to canola caused by the pest was seen on the prairies for the first time in north eastern Saskatchewan in 2012.

Objective of Research: To monitor the distribution and seasonal development of swede midge on the prairies, and investigate seed treatments, planting date, and resistant germplasm as methods for management.

Summary of Results: Sex pheromone traps were distributed to collaborators across the prairies, with samples from 112 sites returned for examination. Only five of these sites had any swede midge in the traps; all were in Saskatchewan and the highest catch over the whole season was 36 male midges. In a parallel survey, in which fields were examined for larvae, swede midge was found in low numbers south of Lloydminster. To investigate host plant resistance, research at Melfort was continued for a second year to evaluate swede midge injury on 18 lines of six crucifer species, and in another trial 13 cultivars of Roundup Ready Brassica napus were compared. Differences among lines were not significant in either trial. In a further trial, early and late seeded plots with different seed treatments were established within four commercial B. napus fields in the Nipawin

62 area of north eastern SK. Early-seeded plots were significantly more injured than late-seeded plots, but there were no differences among the seed treatments tested. Investigation on possible biological control agents continues, with two species identified so far.

Continuing Research: The portion of this project about seed treatments and seeding dates will continue in 2016, while the comparison of varieties at Melfort and the prairie-wide survey are now finished.

Contact: Lars Andreassen, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK. S7N 0X2. [email protected]

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2. Title: Phytoplasma Genomics. Author and associates: C. Olivier and T. Dumonceaux (AAFC-Saskatoon). Problem: PCR tests using 16SrRNA-encoding genes are routinely used to detect and identify phytoplasma strains. However, fine differentiations between strains are difficult with the highly conserved 16Sr gene. The use of other genes, such as chaperonin-60 is being investigated.

Objective of research: Develop PCR tests that can detect and identify all strains of phytoplasma. The use of genes other than 16Sr is being investigated.

Summary of results: A new cpn60-based PCR was developed that compared very favorably to 16S-based methods (Dumonceaux et al. 2015. PLoS ONE 9(12):e116039. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0116039). A new technique using oligonucleotide-coupled fluorescent beads for typing Phytoplasma samples has been developed. This 12-plex method enables the simultaneous detection and typing of samples potentially infected with Phytoplasma, and results have shown that it can discern Phytoplasma types that are indistinguishable by 16S-based typing (Perez-Lopez et al., “Detection and Typing of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ spp. in Host DNA extracts Using Oligonucleotide-Coupled Fluorescent Microspheres” Methods in Molecular Biology, Springer 2016.). Finally, a very rapid cpn60-based molecular screening tool for Phytoplasma using loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) has been developed and successfully used in the field (Dumonceaux et al., submitted to Phytopathology).

Continuing research: Project funded by the Genomic Research and Development Initiative, and ends in March 2016.

Contact: Tim Dumonceaux, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2, Canada. [email protected]

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3. Title: Potential seed transmission and epigenetic effect of phytoplasma diseases in canola.

Author and associates: C. Olivier, T. Dumonceaux and S. Robinson (AAFC-Saskatoon)

Problem: AY DNA has been detected in seeds sampled from AY-infected canola plants, as well as in the seedlings from these original seeds, suggesting potential seed transmission. The seedlings developed into malformed plants, suggesting the presence of epigenetic effects triggered by phytoplasma infection. 63

Objective of research: The objectives of this project are to develop immunolabeling techniques using anti- Cpn60 antibodies to visualize phytoplasma in canola seeds and seedlings, to investigate the epigenetic effect of phytoplasma infection and to establish a quantitative profile of phytohormones in AY-infected canola.

Summary of results: The hormonal profiles of healthy and AY-infected double haploid Brassica napus plants are being analyzed. Seeds of AY-infected double haploid B. napus plants were obtained and germinated. Seedlings are being analysed for phytoplasma DNA integration and genetic re-arrangements.

Continuing research: Project funded by A-base, and ends in March 2016.

Contact: Tim Dumonceaux, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2, Canada. [email protected]

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4. Title: Bioclimatic approach to assessing the potential impact of climate change on wheat midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in North America

Author and Associates: O Olfert, RM Weiss, RH Elliott Abstract. Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Palaearctic in origin, is thought to have been introduced into North America in the early 1800s. It is a major pest of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum Linnaeus (Poaceae)), durum wheat (T. durum Desfontaines), triticale (X-Triticosecale), and, to a lesser extent, spring rye (Secale cereale Linnaeus (Poaceae)) throughout the Northern Great Plains. Climate is the principal factor regulating the distribution and abundance of most insects. A bioclimate simulation model was developed to explain the current distribution and abundance of S. mosellana. The current distribution for North America, Europe, and Asia was consistent with model projections. General circulation model scenarios (CSIRO-MK 3.0 and MIROC-H) for the 2030 and 2070 time periods were applied to the bioclimate simulation model of S. mosellana to assess the potential impact of changing climates on their distribution and relative abundance. Potential changes to relative abundance and distribution were most sensitive to time period, as opposed to climate change scenario. Differences between the MIROC-H and CSIRO-MK 3.0 models were restricted to particular regions in North America. The study found that the range and abundance of S. mosellana, and associated crop risk, was predicted to expand in a northerly direction and contract across the present southern limits.

.Citation: Olfert O, Weiss RM, Elliott RH. 2015. Bioclimatic approach to assessing the potential impact of climate change on wheat midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in North America. The Canadian Entomologist. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2015.40 16 pages. Published online: 25 June 2015 Contact: Owen Olfert, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK. S7N 0X2. [email protected]

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5. Title: Evaluation of seed treatments for control of aster leafhoppers and suppression of aster yellows.

Author and associates: C. Olivier and B. Elliott (AAFC-Saskatoon).

Problem: No methods are available to control aster yellow in canola.

Objective of research: Evaluate seed treatments for control of aster leafhoppers and suppression of aster yellows in canola.

Summary of results: A three-year laboratory and field study was initiated to evaluate seed treatments for control of aster leafhoppers and suppression of aster yellows (AY). Laboratory bioassays focused on identifying seed treatments that provide the best leafhopper control and greatest reduction in AY symptoms. In the bioassays, we also investigated the influence of temperature and soil moisture on efficacy, determined how long the seed treatments are effective and evaluated the relationship between leafhopper densities, phytoplasma titres, AY symptoms and seed yield. Field tests were conducted annually on canola mustard and two canola types to assess the effects of seed treatments on AY symptoms, flea beetle feeding damage and agronomic performance including stand establishment, plant growth and seed yield.

Continuing research: Project will be funded by SaskCanola and industry until March 2016.

Contact: Bob Elliott, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK. S7N 0X2. [email protected]

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6. Title: Aster yellow and swede midge – new threats to prairies Authour and associates: Olivier, C (PI), Soroka, J, Olfert, O. (AAFC-Saskatoon) and Otani, J. (AAFC- Beaverlodge)

Problem: Knowledge of factors influencing aster yellows and swede midge biology in canola is required, and the distribution of swede midge on the prairies is expanding.

Objectives of research: This project aims to evaluate the yield losses and to develop economic thresholds and identify tolerant canola cultivars for two increasing canola pests: the Aster yellow disease and swede midge.

Summary of results: Alberta sampling In the third year of this study, leafhoppers populations among new commercial cultivars of canola were tracked in Alberta at two field sites with yellow sticky cards. Samples from the 2015 field season are under analysis but the preliminary data indicates that infected aster leafhoppers in canola were low in 2015. Macrosteles quadrilineatus is the main vector of the phytoplasma causing AY in canola and in 2015; these leafhoppers were the only leafhopper species that tested positive for AY but at a low level of 1% of all leafhoppers. Ten overwintering traps were deployed in Alberta and again did not trap any overwintering M. quadrilineatus but did trap several other species of leafhoppers overwintering as adults.

Saskatchewan sampling Yellow sticky cards were used to monitor the number of aster leafhoppers in four commercial canola variety 65 trails across Saskatchewan. The first aster leafhopper, Macrosteles quadrilineatus, was caught through sweep net sampling in ditch grasses on June 3, 2015 near Wakaw, Saskatchewan. 449 male and 74 female M. quadrilineatus were trapped the following week (June 03 to July 07, 2015) on yellow sticky cards. but they were present and reproducing in the neighbouring cereal crops.

Continuing research: Aster Yellow: This project will estimate the yield and seed quality losses in canola infected with AY at different growth stages, temperatures and AY-infected leafhopper abundance. Swede midge: The project will determine the distribution of swede midge on the prairies, and examine the effects of swede midge feeding and plant phenology on canola growth and yields in Saskatchewan.

Contact: Owen Olfert, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK. S7N 0X2. [email protected]

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7. Title: Refining and making accessible to growers a validated dynamic action threshold (DAT) for cereal aphid control in cereal crops

Authour and associates: Tyler Wist, Erl Svendsen, Chrystel Olivier (AAFC-Saskatoon) and John Gavloski (MAFRD).

Problem: The ability of natural enemies to control aphid outbreaks in cereal crops is not taken into account by current action thresholds.

Research Objectives: Data from this project will help to refine the cereal aphid dynamic action threshold (DAT) calculator that predicts the growth of aphid populations that takes into account the predation pressure of natural enemies. The ultimate goal of this three-year project is the development of a smartphone app that incorporates the DAT calculator and can be used by producers to make economic threshold determinations.

Summary of results: Aphid numbers were tracked in cereal fields across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Preliminary data indicates that several fields where high numbers of cereal aphids had developed were reduced and controlled by the presence of multiple natural enemies while several fields where natural enemies arrived later in the aphid population boom did not show a reduction in aphid population. Three species of cereal aphids were present in cereal crops (oats, barley and wheat, and in canaryseed at Indian Head) in 2015: English Grain aphid (red and green morph) Sitobion avena, oat bird cherry aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, and greenbug, Shizaphis graminum. Aphids arrived during the early milk stage which is prior to the soft dough stage where aphids can no longer decrease yield and quickly exceeded economic threshold of 15 aphids per head in many fields. Several insecticidal treatments for cereal aphids were reported in wheat, oat and canaryseed crops. The dominant aphid was the rare red morph of the English grain aphid and infestations in some fields reached over 100 aphids per head with nearly every cereal head affected. A measure of the effectiveness of sweep nets on capturing aphids from wheat, barley and oat heads were conducted. Parasitoid mummies were evident and we collected 250-300 mummies from each of five fields and brought back to the Saskatoon Research Station to rear the parasitoids. Nearly all of the mummies were the brown Aphidius type and only two mummies were the black Aphilinus type. The dominant species reared from all sites was Aphidius avenaphis (Braconidae) and this parasitoid can only be separated from the next most dominant parasitoid, Aphidius ervi, by comparing the striations on metasomal tergite number 1. A small

66 colony of Aphidius avenaphis was successfully established at the Saskatoon Research Centre and experiments are underway to determine the voracity and life history parameters of this parasitoid because no prior data exists on this species.

Continuing Research: The project continues to development of the DAT equation into a smartphone “app” for predicting aphid population growth. Project is funded by the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program (PRR15-040). Project funds end in March 2018. If you want to contribute to developing and/or testing the smartphone app, please contact Tyler Wist or Erl Svendsen ([email protected])”

Contact: Tyler Wist, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2, Canada. [email protected]

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8. Title: Aster Yellows (AY) disease in spring wheat: a benchmark characterization and cultivar assessment.

Authour and associates: Tyler Wist, Chrystel Olivier (AAFC-Saskatoon), Pierre Hucl (University of Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture)

Problem: In years where large numbers of aster leafhoppers, Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Cicadellidae) migrate into the Canadian Prairies often result in lower-than-expected yields in wheat crops (ex. 2012, 2007, 2000). These leafhoppers are the primary vectors of AY, a disease which affects hundreds of crop plants. The emerging idea is that AY is a common but largely undetected disease in wheat due to asymptomatic plants (Olivier et al. 2011). The impact of AY on wheat yield is unknown.

Research objectives: 1. To document the symptomology of AY in recent wheat cultivars and to estimate the yield losses depending on the number of leafhoppers and the wheat growth stages. 2. To evaluate the reaction of selected wheat cultivars to AY. 3. To estimate the AY disease incidence and identify the phytoplasma strains present in leafhopper and wheat in trials grown at Saskatoon.

Summary of results: A field experiment examined the attractiveness of five current wheat varieties to natural populations of leafhoppers. A variety of durum was most attractive to aster leafhoppers and a variety of hexaploid wheat least attractive. Athsanus argentarius (Cicadellidae), another leafhopper AY vector, was also captured in wheat plots. Molecular analysis of the incidence of AY in leafhoppers and wheat from this experiment is ongoing. Methods to inoculate wheat plants with infected aster leafhoppers were developed and five controlled growth chamber experiments were conducted under various environmental conditions previously demonstrated to affect the virulence of AY in canola. Most of the experimentally inoculated plants were asymptomatic but a decrease in yield expressed in thousand kernel weight with increasing density of infected leafhoppers was evident under wet conditions. In regards to symptomology, a small percentage of infected plants exhibited stunting (dwarfism) of the main stem, and dieback of tillers. More subtle symptoms of AY infection were evident at harvest when plant measurements revealed that wheat plants decreased in height and in number of tillers as infected leafhopper density increased under wet conditions.

Continuing research: This project is funded through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF project 20140198) and continues until March 2018.

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Contact: Tyler Wist, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2, Canada. [email protected]

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9. Title: Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata): Genomics, population dynamics and biodiversity of pest and pathogens.

Author and Associates: M.A. Erlandson, D.D. Hegedus, O. Olfert, T. Gariepy, C. Donly and D.A. Theilmann

Problem: The bertha armyworm (BAW), Mamestra configurata, is one of the major insect pests of canola in western Canada. Despite the importance of this pest insect, little is known about BAW biodiversity, either in terms of genetic variation in populations from across its vast geographic range or whether differential susceptibilities or responses to insecticides or pathogens occur in different populations. However, there is evidence of differential responses to pheromone lures in some populations leading to potential problems with the predictive value of trap counts. As well, there has been no attempt to determine whether the genetic makeup of outbreak populations differ from that of populations at lower endemic levels. A better understanding of the genome and genetic variation of this pest species will be critical to the implementation of biologically-based control strategies, including the use of biopesticides or transgenic crops.

Objective of Research: In collaboration with the Prairie Insect Pest Monitoring Network, we are sampling BAW from across its geographic range and these samples will be used to examine BAW genetic diversity. This will be done using existing DNA marker technology, but also via genomics approaches to develop more comprehensive DNA markers of genetic diversity studies. As part of this process, we will use high throughput DNA sequencing technology to generate sequence data that can also be used to produce genetic maps of BAW and contribute toward the eventual completion of a whole BAW genome sequence. As well isolates of the baculovirus, Mametra configurata nucleopolyhedrovirus (MacoNPV) are being sampled from geographic BAW populations and high throughput DNA sequencing will be undertaken to generate complete genome sequences for comparative studies and to identify novel genes that may be exploited in novel insect control methods.

Summary of Results: During the three field seasons of this study we sampled and cataloged approximately 8000 adult male specimens from BAW pheromone and light traps from widely dispersed geographic regions in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Washington State. We have used “genotyping by sequencing” approaches using ~ 200 individuals and identified ~ 1000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) markers which were used in a genetic diversity analysis (STRUCTURE). Although the bulk of the individuals sampled fell into one population but we were able to identify two additional genetically distinct populations. We have assembled a working draft of the BAW genome with an estimated size of 714 Megabases which makes it one of the larger lepidopteran genomes sequenced to date. The draft genome has been very useful for identifying and characterizing genes of interest in various related studies on BAW physiology and reproductive biology. A PhD student working on the project has used lab reared colonies from 4 geographic BAW populations from across Saskatchewan and Alberta to produce transcriptome libraries for both male and female head and antennae. We have identified and characterized a suite of pheromone binding and olfactory receptor proteins involved in the pheromone communication channel in BAW.

Continuing Research: The original project was funded through March 31, 2014 and we have received additional AAFC Peer Review Project funding to conduct research on BAW genetic variation and its implication 68 for potential impact on geographic differences in BAW populations with respect to pest status and response to pheromone trapping efficiency.

Contact: Martin Erlandson, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2 [email protected]

10. Title: Development of a mulitplex PCR assay for the identification of common species in the cutworm complex infesting canola in western Canada.

Author and Associates: M.A. Erlandson, J.K. Otani and K.D. Floate Research Project Supported by Canola Council CARP Grant # 2012.1

Problem: In recent years the population levels and damage linked to cutworm species in canola crops have appeared to increase substantially and peak across western Canada. However cutworms can be very difficult to identify to species, particularly in the larval stage, resulting in uncertainties with respect to the development and application of pest control strategies for producers.

Objective of Research: Development and application of a robust molecular marker tool could expedite agronomic studies of the cutworm pest complex associated with canola production in various geographic regions across the prairie provinces. We set out to develop a multiplex-PCR assay which would produce unique sized PCR products (amplicons) for each of 5 key species using a universal forward primer and at least 5 species-specific reverse primers targeting the ITS2 region of the rRNA transcriptional unit. Ideally this tool could be used as a single step PCR assay for identifying larval cutworms to species level.

Summary of Results: Based on DNA sequencing of nuclear DNA from the 5 target species: dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera); bristly cutworm (Lacinipolia renigera); pale western cutworm (Agrotis orthogonia); red- backed cutworm (Euxoa orchrogaster); and army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris) we were able to design species specific primers for inclusion in a multiplex PCR assay that identified and distinguished the 5 target cutworm. The multiplex PCR assay was optimized and extensively verified using DNA extracted from voucher and field collected specimens. Subsequently, the multiplex PCR assay was used to identify to species adult and larval collections of cutworms from Alberta. We have been able to show that the range of cutworm species collected from canola was much narrower that the more diverse species complex found in other crops and most particularly forage crops. The multiplex PCR assay will be a very useful tool for agronomic research on the cutworm species complex in a particular geographic area and crop system.

Contact: Martin Erlandson, AAFC-Saskatoon, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2 [email protected]

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Manitoba Entomology Research Summary – 2015

Presented to: The Western Committee on Crop Pests October 22, 2015 Abbotsford, British Columbia

Compiled by: John Gavloski; Entomologist; Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Box 1149, Carman, MB, ROG OJO [email protected]

Oilseed Crops

1. Title: Integrated approaches for flea beetle control - Economic thresholds, prediction models, landscape effects, and natural enemies.

Authors and Associates: Alejandro C. Costamagna ([email protected]), Barb Sharanowski ([email protected]) & Anamaria Dal Molin ([email protected]), Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba; Héctor Cárcamo ([email protected]) AAFC Lethbridge Research Centre, AB; Jennifer Otani ([email protected]) AAFC Beaverlodge, AB; Tyler Wist ([email protected]) AAFC Saskatoon, SK; John Gavloski ([email protected]), MAFRD Carman, MB, and Rishi Burlatoki ([email protected]) Weather INnovations Consulting LP, ON.

Objective of Research: Flea beetles are chronic pests on canola and result in yield losses estimated in CAN $300 million each year. In Canada, three species are responsible for most of the damage: the exotics Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and P. striolata (Fab.), and the native Psylloides punctulata Melsh. Severe economic damage typically occurs in the spring through defoliation of canola seedlings by adults emerging from overwintering. Currently, the most widespread technique to control flea beetles in North America is the use of preventive insecticide treatments in canola seeds followed by foliar sprays if damage is still prevalent, resulting in more than 90% of the crop receiving pesticide applications for these pests. These management strategies result in over-spraying due to several factors, including application of insecticides in areas where flea beetle populations are low, lack of knowledge of ET levels for modern high yielding varieties and application in areas where natural enemies may be able to lower flea beetle populations below ET. Our overall objective is to develop a holistic and sustainable approach to flea beetle control in canola. Our objectives are to: (1) Develop descriptive economic thresholds for flea beetles; (2) Identify the suite of natural enemies of flea beetles using innovative molecular methods; (3) Define landscape characteristics that limit flea beetle populations and increase mortality of flea beetles by natural enemies; (4) Develop models to predict flea beetle emergence and major seasonal activity based on abiotic environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, precipitation, wind, soil temperature); and (5) incorporate all components of the project into a comprehensive tool and set of management guidelines for canola producers.

Summary of Results: During year 1 we conducted economic threshold experiments in six locations (2 near Winnipeg in MB, 2 near Lethbridge and 2 near Beaverlodge, in AB). The experiments consisted in three insecticide treatments applied as sprays at different defoliation levels during the susceptible stages: 1) 15-

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20%; 2) 25%; and 3) 45% defoliation. In addition, we included a seed insecticide treatment and an untreated control. There was wide variability in flea beetles within and across locations, resulting in generally low levels of damage. The results of these experiments are under analysis. We sampled flea beetle and natural enemy populations with sticky cards, assessed damage, and determined landscape characteristics in 29 locations (16 in AB, 7 in SK, and 6 in MB). The majority of flea beetles in SK were Phyllotreta striolata, and overwintering adult populations moved into several fields in mid-May while the canola plants were in the early-cotyledon stage. Three of the study sites were treated with insecticides due to heavy flea beetle damage to the cotyledons. In addition, flea beetles and natural enemies were collected with sweepnets to conduct predation experiments in laboratory conditions that yield positive and negative controls for DNA tests. A primer to detect flea beetle DNA in different natural enemies is being developed to be tested with positive and negative controls. Abiotic factors near all the locations sampled will be collected to incorporate them in a predictive model of flea beetle abundance.

Pulse Crops

2. Title: Soybean aphid predation across different agricultural landscapes in Manitoba.

Authors and Associates: Samaranayake, K. G. L. I. ([email protected]), and Costamagna, A. C. ([email protected]), Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba.

Objective of Research: We conducted two years of sampling to determine landscape scale factors influencing soybean aphid suppression by natural enemies in Manitoba. Landscapes studied were selected to represent a range from high to low agricultural landscape complexity. For the field manipulations, aphids on potted soybean plants were used for predator exclusion and predator open treatments. In addition, in each field we established bidirectional malaise traps in at least one border to monitor natural enemy movement between soybean fields and adjacent habitats. Furthermore, we mapped the habitats around each field within a 2 km radius to determine their influence on soybean aphid control by natural enemies. Finally, we conducted the mark-release recapture experiment by using sevenspotted lady beetles to know about their movement directions, distance and speed between soybean and alfalfa fields.

Summary of Results: We found significant soybean aphid suppression in both years of study across the 27 fields studied, with levels of controls ranging from 2- to 22-fold reductions of aphid populations. The proportion of cereals (wheat, barley, and oats) in the landscape was associated with increased aphid suppression. By contrast, the proportions of canola and natural vegetation were associated with lower aphid suppression. Bidirectional malaise trap data revealed significant movement of natural enemies from natural vegetation to soybean fields and from soybeans to canola. Mark-release recapture experiments showed a trend of lady beetles moving from soybean to alfalfa, as aphids were present only in alfalfa fields, but also there were minor movement in the opposite direction. ------

3. Title: Contribution of soybean aphid alates to colony fitness under predation.

Authors and Associates: Rios-Martinez, A. ([email protected]), Costamagna, A.C. ([email protected]), Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba.

Problem: The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) is an Asian pest that was accidentally introduced into the United States, Canada and Australia and can be responsible for important yield losses. Wing polyphenism 71 is a determining element in the performance of an aphid colony because different morphs are specialized in different life-cycle roles. The ability of winged individuals to disperse is often penalized by a reduced reproductive output. This trade-off raises questions about the role of the alate morph in the overall fitness (numerical contribution) of a parthenogenetic colony under predation.

Objective: To determine the effects of crowding and host-plant nutrition quality on wing induction and to investigate the effects of predator free space colonization by alates on the overall fitness of a colony under predation.

Summary of results: Clip cage experiments in the laboratory showed that both pre-natal and post-natal crowding induce wing development in the soybean aphid. A clip cage experiment in the field suggests that crowding interacts with host-plant nutritional quality cues to induce wing development, when changes in nutritional quality are given by heavy aphid infestations and natural within-plant spatial variation. Another field cage experiment revealed a small benefit of host-plant colonization by alates on the overall fitness of a soybean aphid colony exposed to predation. However, this benefit appears to be ultimately counterweighed by alate reduced fecundity, as suggested by two control treatments and an additional laboratory experiment. This series of experiments seems to suggest that wing induction in the soybean aphid may be an effective adaptive strategy to counteract density-dependent effects but most likely not an adaptive strategy for predation. ------

4. Title: Comparison of Relative Bias, Precision, and Efficiency of Sampling Methods for Natural Enemies of Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Authors: J. A. Bannerman1, A. C. Costamagna1, B. P. McCornack2, D. W. Ragsdale3

1 Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, 12 Dafoe Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3L 1R2. 2 Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, 123 W. Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. 3 Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 412 Minnie Belle Heep Center, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2475.

Problem: There is increasing recognition that information on natural enemy abundance can and should be used to improve economic thresholds in agriculture. Many questions remain however, including how to sample natural enemies efficiently and effectively throughout the growing season, and how the sampling method that you choose will influence your results.

Objective of research: To compare sampling methods based on their precision, accuracy and efficiency to determine which would be best to use for in-field assessments of the natural enemy assemblage of the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) in soybean.

Summary: Sample methods did not necessarily detect the same assemblage of natural enemies, and community similarities diverged as the growing season progressed, resulting in significant bias in several popular sampling methods. Based on bias, precision, and efficiency considerations, the most practical sampling methods for monitoring in soybean include walking transects for coccinellid detection and whole- plant counts for detection of small predators like Orius insidiosus. Sweep-netting and quadrat samples are also useful for some applications, when efficiency is not paramount.

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Stored Grains

5. Title: A new method to rapidly detect rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), in stored grain.

Author and Associates: F. Jiana, D.S. Jayasa, P.G. Fieldsb N.D.G. Whiteb a Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB b Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 96 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, MB

Problem: Detecting hidden infestations of rusty grain beetle in stored grain.

Summary of Results: Information on insect infestation inside stored grain bulks is required for safe grain storage. A new method to rapidly detect both adults and larvae of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) in grain was developed based on the principle of microwave heating and insect behaviour under elevated temperature. The designed apparatus and processing procedure were tested to extract both the adults and larvae inside wheat with 14%, 16% and 18% moisture contents by using a domestic microwave oven (referred to as the microwave method). The recovery percentage of the introduced insects associated with the microwave method was compared with that of the Berlese funnel method (810 cm3 wheat in a funnel under an incandescent light bulb). The microwave method recovered 97.8% of introduced adults, while 90.6% of adults were recovered by the Berlese funnel method. The recovery percentage of the larvae inside marked wheat kernels was 83.3 ± 3.3% with the microwave method and less than 27% with the Berlese funnel method. There was no significant difference in extraction percentage between old and young larvae when the microwave method was used. The moisture content of the treated grain did not significantly influence the extraction percentage of the pest insect. The total processing time of the microwave method was less than 30 min compared to 6 h required for the Berlese funnel method

Full paper at Journal of Stored Products Research 2015 63: 1-5. ------

6. Title: The effect of diapause and cold acclimation on the cold-hardiness of the warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile (Coleoptera: Dermestidae).

Author and Associates: A.Y. Abdelghany1, D. Suthisut2 and P.G. Fields1

1 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Biosystems Engineering Room E2-376, Engineering, Information and Technology Complex, 75A Chancellor's Circle, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada 2 Postharvest and product Processing Research and Development Office, Department of Agriculture Bangkok, 50 Phaholyothin Road 10900, Thailand

Problem: Controlling the warehouse beetle with low temperatures

Summary of Results: The warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is a stored-product pest with scant information on its cold tolerance. Ninety-two percent of larvae reared in isolation at 30oC went into diapause in the 7th instar, the remaining 8% emerged as adults in 50 d. Diapausing larvae died after 142 d in the tenth instar. The cold tolerance at 0oC from highest to lowest was; old larvae > 73 pupae > adult = young larvae > eggs. The LT50 (lethal time for 50% of the population) for grouped (non- diapause) non-acclimated old larvae at 0, -5,-10, -16 and -19oC were; 20, 11, 5, 1 and 1 d, the LT95 were; 38, 15, 10 and 5 d, respectively. The LT50 for isolated (diapausing), cold-acclimated old larvae at the same temperatures were; 275, 125, 74, 26 and 18 d, and the LT95 were; 500, 160, 100, 45, 20 d, respectively. The SCP of different stages of non-acclimated insects ranged from -25.3oC (eggs) to -6.1oC (young larvae). The most cold hardy stage, isolated and acclimated old larvae, had a supercoiling point of -24.9oC. The potential of using low temperatures to control T. variabile is discussed.

Full paper at The Canadian Entomologist 2015 147: 158–168

Multiple Crops

7. Title: Habitat management strategies for control of cutworms in field crops in Manitoba.

Authors and Associates: R.W.M.U.M Wanigasekara1, Costamagna, A.C1,Dr. Y. Lawley2, and Dr. B. Sharanowski1 1Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, 2Department of Plant Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Problem: Cutworms are difficult to control in agricultural crops as they are subterranean and nocturnal and are usually sporadically distributed within fields. Parasitoid wasps provide a natural means of control of cutworms. Unfortunately, we have a very limited understanding of which parasitoid species use cutworms as hosts in Manitoba, and how effective they are at controlling cutworm populations. Providing additional resources for parasitoids, such as cover crops, can help increase parasitism rates and bring control of pests to below economic thresholds.

Objective of Research: To examine the parasitoid species attacking cutworms in Manitoba and investigated their effectiveness to control cutworms. To investigate habitat management strategies for increasing the effectiveness of parasitoids as control agents of cutworms.

Summary of Results: We discovered a parasitoid set of 16 species attacking cutworms and are currently developing a key to identify these species to facilitate future biological control efforts. Unfortunately, however, over all mortality rates caused by parasitoids was low, and is likely not enough to control cutworms below economic levels. Thus, nutritional enhancements such as cover crops may facilitate a more effective guild of parasitoids. We decided to test this theory in the Polyembryonic wasp Copidosoma cuproviridis and C. bakeri. We identified and characterized the plant resources (cover crops) that can attract and provide nutrition for these wasps. We observed that food inexperienced parasitoids are more attracted to yellow compared to the white and green. These wasps also prefer the flower odour of canola and mustard over camelina and buckwheat. Further, canola, camelina, buckwheat and mustard significantly enhanced the longevity of C. cuproviridis compared to water. Canola and mustard are common crops, and farmers can use camelina as a cover crop to enhance parasitism rates. Therefore, cover crops offer the potential to increase parasitism rates of cutworms by C. cuproviridis, leading to enhanced biocontrol through sustainable means. ------

8. Title: Molecular approaches for understanding the Peristenus pallipes complex (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) to facilitate classical biocontrol against Lygus bugs.

Authors and Associates: Y.M Zhang1 and Dr. B. Sharanowski1 74

1Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2.

Problem: Species of Peristenus are important biological control agents of plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae), in particular the large genus Lygus. Peristenus attacks early nymphal instars of mirids and kill their hosts in the late nymphal or adult stage. The European species Peristenus digoneutis and Peristenus relictus were successfully introduced to eastern North America to control Lygus populations in alfalfa and other crops, and the introduction to central North America is being considered. The central problem associated with Peristenus taxonomy is the Peristenus pallipes species complex. Members of the P. pallipes complex are Holarctic in distribution, ranging from temperate to boreal regions. To date there are nine Nearctic species; however, they are often unidentifiable without detailed biological data. Therefore, studies on the number of native Peristenus species and their biology are crucial to ensure the successful introduction the European Peristenus species to central North America as a potential biological control of Lygus.

Objectives of Research: This will include a taxonomic revision of the Holarctic species with a particular focus on the P. pallipes species complex. By combining traditional alpha taxonomy with state-of-the-art molecular techniques, this research on Peristenus will provide insight into their evolutionary relationships. Furthermore, updating the host records will help in assessing the host specificity of different Peristenus species, leading to the development of accurate identification tools as potential biocontrol agents against invasive pests and help determine impacts on native parasitoids prior to introducing foreign biological control agent.

Summary of Results: During the summers of 2013-2015, adult Peristenus and parasitized Lygus nymphs were collected from various sites in Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario. Genomic DNA was extracted from these specimens, and 2 genes were sequenced (COI and Cyt B), while primers for intronic genes are currently being developed. Additional sequences have been supplemented by the Barcode of Life Database and GenBank, and the Bayesian phylogenetic analysis has shown that Peristenus pallipes complex, as well as the two species groups are monophyletic. These voucher specimens have been compared morphologically with museum specimens from the Canadian National Collection and Swedish Museum of Natural History, supporting the validity of Peristenus dayi and Peristenus braunae, both of which belong to the dayi group. The members within the mellipes group were recovered as one clade, with little genetic distance between species described by previous authors, suggesting synonymy is needed. Multivariate ratio analysis was also performed on morphological traits and these supported the same species assemblages as the DNA data (3 Peristenus species, instead of 9). Recent findings may also suggest that the current assemblage of Lygus bugs found across the Prairies doe not include L. lineolaris, but several other species that are far more abundant, such as L. borealis.

9. Mobile apps for integrated pest management of insects, weeds, and diseases

Authors and Associates: Sharanowski1, B., Dal Molin1, A., Bass1, A, Cattani2, D, Gavloski3, J., Gulden2, R, Irwin1, L., Leeson4, J., Meers5, S., Olfert3, O, Otani4, J., Turkington4, K., and Weiss4, R, 1 1Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, 2Department of Plant Sciences, University of Manitoba. 3 Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 4 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canda 5 Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

Problem: The recent advent of mobile applications, widespread use of smart phones, and access to cellular internet networks in rural regions now allows for IPM tools and agronomic research to be integrated and 75 delivered in ways not previously conceived. However, these tools require the integration of diverse areas of expertise to become effective tools for controlling the wide range of pests in Canadian field crops.

Objective of Research: We are developing a set of mobile apps to facilitate efficient and sustainable integrated pest management of insects, weeds, and diseases of Canadian field crops. Our three integrated apps include: (1) an interactive identification tool for insects, weeds, and diseases; (2) a forecasting app for insects and diseases with real-time data collection; and (3) a crop management tool that facilitates collection of long term data regarding on-farm practices. The identification tool incorporates high resolution imaging, interactive key technology, and accessible language to facilitate accurate identification of crop pests by non- experts.

Summary of Results: Although the apps are still in development we plan to launch them in 2016. Growers and agronomists interested in testing the apps should visit www.mobile-ipm.com to sign up.

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