Spring 2015 Sustainable Management Strategies for Control of Flea Gadi V.P. Reddy, Superintendent & Associate Professor of Entomology/ Ecology, Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center, Conrad, MT

The crucifer flea ,Phyllotreta cruciferae leads to concentrations of beetles and injury (Goeze), has lately emerged as a serious pest along field margins. of canola in Montana. The adult beetles The Western Triangle Agricultural Research feed on canola leaves, causing numerous Center (WTARC) near Conrad, Montana, small holes that stunt growth and reduce carried out field trials during 2013 at two yield (Figure 1). In 2013, injury to canola locations. The objectives were to determine seedlings was high (nearly 80%) in many nominal threshold levels for on parts of Montana. This demonstrates that canola. The results indicated that a threshold when flea beetles emerge in large numbers of 15-20% leaf area injury is recommended for they can quickly put an end to a young an insecticidal treatment in order to reduce the spring canola crop. Each year, yield losses number of chemical applications and also reduce due to flea beetle damage in the Northern the possibility of selecting for resistance in flea Great Pains have been estimated to be tens beetles in Montana. However, in North Dakota, of millions of dollars. to protect the crop from yield losses, these Flea beetles have a single generation insecticides are regularly applied at an economic per year and overwinter as adults in the threshold of 25% feeding injury to cotyledons INSIDE: leaf litter of shelterbelts or grassy areas; and first true leaves. however beetles are rarely found in canola Insecticide application is the main tactic for Sustainable Management Strategies stubble. Beetles emerge when temperatures flea beetle management on canola, and the for Control of Flea Beetles...... 1 approach 57°F in early spring, proceed majority of canola acreages in North America Collecting and Submitting to feed on canola and weeds such as wild are treated with insecticides. Classically, Plant Disease, Insect and Plant mustard and other brassicas and then insecticide applications are made targeting adults Identification Samples...... 2 move into newly sown canola as plants in early spring when the canola crop is at the Bulbous Bluegrass...... 4 emerge. Depending on temperature, it seedling stage, which is the most susceptible to may take up to three weeks for all adults Pest Management Toolkit...... 5 to leave their overwintering sites. Adults Respiratory Protection of Increasing feed on cotyledons and developing leaves Concern for Montana Pesticide and stems of seedlings, leading to loss of Applicators...... 6 photosynthetic capability and finally plant Meet Your Specialist: death (Figure 2). Feeding starts within Emily Glunk...... 7 the first two weeks after beetle emergence and produces a shot-hole appearance Ask an Expert...... 8 and necrosis. Warm, dry, calm weather encourages flea beetle flight and feeding throughout the field, while at the same time slowing canola growth. In contrast, cool,

rainy, and windy conditions decrease flight FIGURE 1. Crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta activity, but flea beetles walk or hop which cruciferae. Enlarged to show detail. 2 (flea beetles, continued from page 1) flea beetle damage. In the Golden Triangle areas in Montana, canola growers traditionally Collecting and Submitting Plant Disease, use seed treatments. Neonicotinoid Insect and Plant Identification Samples for insecticides, applied either as seed treatment or foliar sprays are used as the main Diagnosis to the Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory approach for the management of flea beetles. Eva Grimme, Plant Pathology Diagnostician, Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory; Mary Insecticidal seed treatments with imidacloprid Burrows, Extension Plant Pathologist; and Laurie Kerzicnik, Insect Diagnostician are used throughout the Northern Great Plains to systemically protect canola seedlings Plant diagnosticians at Montana State Keep some soil around the root ball and off from flea beetle attack. Other approaches, University in the Schutter Diagnostic foliage. Wrap the plant sample in plastic including repeated applications of carbaryl, Laboratory are available to identify any and secure with a rubber band around the are often needed in order to keep flea beetles problems that affect plants in the landscape. base of the plant (Figure 3). This prevents below economic injury levels; additionally, Accurate identification of plant disorders the soil from damaging the leaves during foliar spray of insecticides, i.e. deltamethrin and pests are the foundation for integrated shipping. Loosely enclose the foliage in or bifenthrin, are also used to prevent flea pest management. A good quality sample plastic or paper. Do not add water. beetles from causing significant feeding injury. and as much information as you can However, due to environmental concerns Send a sample so that we could plant it provide on the history of the problem is (i.e. impact on pollinators and natural when it arrived and it would survive. important for accurate, fast diagnosis and enemies from the frequent and heavy use of Package samples in crush-proof containers. appropriate recommendations. To expedite chemical insecticides), more environmentally- Never send leaves in a flat paper envelope – Dry weather and weed management identification and recommendations, compatible tactics are desirable for sustainable the post office machinery causes extensive Fabian Menalled, MSU Crop Weeds Specialist please follow the following guidelines. management of this pest. damage, and the tissue rots or dries out in Submission instructions, forms, and more shipping. If you are planning to mechanically manage The field experiments conducted by information can be found at our website, your weeds, remember that tillage reduces soil WTARC during 2013 indicated that http://diagnostics.montana.edu/. You can Include photographs illustrating the moisture. When soils are dry, tillage could combined use of entomopathogens drop samples off with your local county problem if possible. Make sure photos result in seedbed desiccation and reduced (fungi), Beauveria bassiana (2.4 g/liter) Extension agent or submit them to the lab are in focus, and include your name crop establishment. The risk of soil erosion and Metarhizium brunneum (5 g/liter) directly. Your county agent is a good place and contact information with sample significantly increases in dry conditions. You is more effective in reducing feeding to start – they are familiar with many of the submissions. Email the photographs to can minimize moisture losses by applying injuries and improving yield levels when plant disorders in the community, and may [email protected]. shallow tillage and using a harrow to fill in compared to chemical control and other be able to identify your problem right away. Always include background information. and seal the ground. In most cases, adopting treatment strategies. This indicates that Plant problems are often influenced by Plant Disease Specimens minimum tillage or no-tillage techniques may entomopathogenic fungi are effective against many different factors, so include as much be the best solution to conserve soil moisture; flea beetles and may serve as alternatives to Send sufficient plant material. Examine information as possible: plant and variety, however care should be taken to reduce the conventional insecticides or seed treatments the entire plant for symptoms and collect location (greenhouse, field, windbreak, proliferation of perennial weed species. in managing this pest. samples that show various stages of the home garden, etc.), irrigation practices Drought not only complicates weed problem. Include a healthy plant or plant (type of system, frequency, amount management, but also increases crop part for comparison. Send enough plant applied), history (age, size, amendments, susceptibility to pre- and post-emergence material so that an identification can be fertilizer, etc.), pesticides used with names, herbicides. Dry weather reduces microbial made. Whenever it is practical, include rates, and dates, weather conditions, and chemical degradation of soil-applied roots or the entire plant or clump of pattern of symptoms on the plant and herbicides increasing carryover injuries. If plants. If that is not possible, include a surrounding plants, previous problems you applied a residual herbicide last fall, branch or send a twig. Detached leaves or in this location. In-depth background pay special attention to carryover problems. parts of leaves are seldom useful. information will help the diagnostician to Drought-stressed crops are more susceptible to Avoid sending dead plants or plant parts identify the problem and is essential for post-emergence herbicides, and the combined since they are not useful for accurate timely management recommendations. effect of herbicide injury and drought may FIGURE 2. Damage to canola leaves caused diagnosis. Do not ship on Fridays. Samples can rot, by flea beetles. reduce crop yield. Keep samples as fresh as possible until bake or freeze over the weekend. If we are lucky we won’t see a drought you can ship them. Avoid exposing the during the 2015 growing season, and sample to direct sunlight and refrigerate if you won’t need to be concerned with the possible. recommendations you just read! 3 (samples, continued from p. 2) Include a submission form, which can be Information to include with sample: Tall grasses and shrubs, herbaceous forbs, found at http://diagnostics.montana.edu/ You may wish to print out an Insect trees, long vines: Collect several samples PlantDisease/PDFs/Disease%20ID%20 Identification Form to include with your that adequately show stem features, leaves Form.pdf or at your county Extension office. sample: and leaf arrangement, and flowers and/or If you have any questions about • http://diagnostics.montana.edu/Insect/ fruits. Collect extra flowers and/or fruits submitting a plant disease sample, please PDFs/Insect%20Identification%20Form_ if available. If possible, collect or provide contact Eva Grimme, eva.grimme@ revised%2013%20Jan%202015.pdf information about underground parts, ie. montana.edu, (406) 994-5150. roots, rhizomes, bulbs, tubers, etc. Include the following collection data: Record collection data and include Insect Specimens • Collection date. state, county, geographic location of If you are sure your problem is caused by • Collection location (e.g., Helena, MT). Or, collection site, and date. This information an insect, please follow the protocol below. give nearest town and distance/direction from is important to the identification process. Collect several insect specimens if possible. it (for example, 7 mi. SW of Helena, MT). Please remember to fill out a separate Place specimens in sturdy clear containers • Collector’s name (not county agent etc.). Plant Identification Form or Aquatic Plant with tight fitting lids that are strong enough • Host identification (for example, green ID form for each plant specimen/species to survive mail or courier services. Hard- submitted for identification. bodied specimens can be sent either alive or ash). If the host is not a plant, describe Include a submission form, which can be in containers of rubbing alcohol. Aphids, environment of collection site (for example, found at: http://diagnostics.montana.edu/ mites, spiders, small flies and larvae need kitchen windowsill, basement, bag of rice). Plant/PDFs/Plant%20Identification%20 to be sent in rubbing alcohol (Figure 4). Plant Identification Form_07_2012.pdf Caterpillars should be flash boiled before Plant diagnosticians in the Schutter If you have any questions about placing in rubbing alcohol. Turf laboratory can also help with plant submitting a plant identification or aquatic can be sent alive in soil/root samples and identification. Please follow the instructions plant ID sample, please contact plantid@ mailed in a crush-proof box. For additional on how to collect a plant sample. information please contact Laurie montana.edu. Short grasses, small flowering herbaceous Kerzicnik, [email protected], plants, low shrubs: Collect several (at least Mailing address for all plant samples: (406) 994-5704 three if possible) ENTIRE plants, including Schutter Diagnostic Lab Describe damage of concern: roots, plus extra flowers and/or fruits if 119 Plant BioScience Facility If the insect is not included in the sample available. Clean debris and soil from roots P.O. Box 173150 (damage sample only) describe the insect before shipping. Bozeman, MT 59717-3150. if possible (shape, body length, coloring, Please mail a copy of the PDIS summary behavior). or other form with the sample.

FIGURE 3. Example of a well packaged sample (left) and an insufficient FIGURE 4. Example of how to packaged sample (right) submit a spider or insect sample. 4 Bulbous Bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) Jane Mangold, MSU Extension Invasive Plant Specialist

Last growing season was a banner one for stems are flattened, while the upper stems Impacts bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa). Many are wiry and round in cross-section. Bulbous Bulbous bluegrass was accidentally introduced people were not aware of this grass in spite bluegrass ranges in height from 8-24 inches. to North America as a seed contaminant and of its presence in Montana since at least The panicle (inflorescence, or flowering and was discovered in Oregon in the early 1900s. the 1930s. To better prepare for the 2015 seed producing portion of the plant) is usually Because of its vigorous growth and tendency to growing season should it prove to be another dense and has a plume-like appearance. form a solid mat, its use as a pasture and turf banner season for bulbous bluegrass, this The most conspicuous feature of bulbous grass was repeatedly researched in the first half article provides a brief overview of the species, bluegrasss is the tiny bulblets with purple of the twentieth century; however, that line of including identification, biology, impacts, and bases that form on the panicle (Figure research was abandoned after recognizing its management recommendations. 6). Bulblets provide the primary means invasive tendencies. Bulbous bluegrass is best Identification and Biology of reproduction, and this reproduction adapted to disturbed, shallow soils that are is asexual. Bulblets can germinate moist during winter and early spring. It has Bulbous bluegrass is a relatively small, shallow- immediately without a period of dormancy; been reported in nearly every state in the U.S., rooted, cool season perennial bunchgrass in essence, each bulblet is a mini-plant that but is most common in the West. native to Eurasia and northern Africa (Figure can form roots and grow once it falls to 5). Because it grows new roots each season Bulbous bluegrass produces very little the soil surface. Bulblet viability is believed and has a relatively short life span, it is biomass for grazing, and its palatability to be relatively short (two years). Bulblets sometimes mistaken for an annual. However, is confined to early to mid-spring before can be moved via livestock, wildlife, it regenerates from its root system each year. the grass dries out. The bulblets, however, infested hay, vehicles, and caching by small The leaves of bulbous bluegrass are mostly contain high levels of starch and fat that are mammals. Bulbous bluegrass also has basal and have a membranous ligule (thin sought after by a variety of birds and small thickened and bulblike stems at the base of membrane on the inside of the leaf blade at the mammals. Bulbous bluegrass competes with the plant (Figure 7). junction of the sheath and blade). The lower more desirable vegetation in range sites and can also invade crop and hay fields. Bulbous bluegrass is typically not 5 6 competitive in dense stands of perennial crops like alfalfa or pasture. Therefore, maintaining desirable competitive vegetation can be very effective for preventing invasion by bulbous bluegrass or for reducing existing infestations. Disturbance promotes bulbous bluegrass; overgrazing and other disturbances that reduce vegetation vigor or create bare soil should be avoided. 7 Management Hand pulling and digging can be used to manage bulbous bluegrass because of a shallow root system; however, it is difficult to remove all of the basal bulbs. Mowing is not considered to be effective and may even FIGURE 5. Bulbous bluegrass plants. Photo by proliferate the problem by scattering bulblets. Matt Lavin, MSU. Spring tillage can reduce bulbous bluegrass FIGURE 6. Panicle with purple-based bulblets. and may be appropriate in some situations, Photo by Matt Lavin, MSU. especially if used in conjunction with seeding FIGURE 7. Stems with thickened, bulblike bases. of other species during pasture renovation. Photo by Jane Mangold, MSU. Fall tillage is less effective. 5 (bulbous bluegrass, continued from p. 4) Intensive early season grazing for several growing seasons can reduce Pest Management Toolkit bulbous bluegrass infestations. If grazing is going to be used, it must be applied Initial Pesticide Applicator Training. org/invasiveplantsMangold/extensionsub. early in the growing season because April 24, Helena. This program can license html for more information by scrolling bulbous bluegrass generally grows earlier individuals to apply restricted use pesticides down to “Workshops and Training.” and faster than other perennial grasses. on land they own, rent or lease. It is also Play. Clean. Go (PCG) The effects of prescribed fire on bulbous worth 6 private recertification credits to bluegrass are not well known, but licensed private applicators. For more PCG is a new nationwide weed education individual plants can be top-killed by fire. information or to pre-register contact Brent and outreach campaign geared toward The survival of bulblets will depend on Sarchet at (406) 447-8346. The agenda is outdoor recreationalists. The goal of PCG their location at the time of the fire and viewable online at www.pesticides.montana. is to encourage people to take action to fire intensity. Bulblets are most likely to edu/PAT/2015/initialclark.pdf. slow or stop the spread of invasive species be killed by fire if they are on the plant. while they partake in their favorite outdoor Montana Noxious Weed Awareness Week. As they fall to the soil surface or become activities. For more information and June 8-12. To find events happening around buried, they are more likely to survive to become a PCG partner, visit: www. the state during this week, go to mtweed. prescribed fire. playcleango.org/about.html. org or weedawareness.org. Using herbicides that will selectively Wheel of Weeds 2015 Montana State University Research reduce bulbous bluegrass while not Hosting a training or event and need a Center Field Days. damaging desired grasses requires fun invasive plant activity? The Montana selecting the right herbicide and applying June 24 Northwestern, Creston; July 1 Noxious Weed Education Campaign has it at the correct time of the growing Northern, Havre; July 14 Eastern, Sidney; educational ‘Wheel of Weeds’ (Jeopardy- season. When using any herbicide, be July 16 Central, Moccasin; July 17 Western like) wheel game boards available for use sure to consult the label for more detailed Triangle, Conrad; July 21 Post Farm, (Figure 8). These ‘Wheel of Weeds’ games information and always follow label Bozeman; July 23 Western, Corvallis; July feature three different inserts: ‘Wildflower directions. Several herbicides are labeled 30, BART Hort Farm, Bozeman or Weed?’, ‘Integrated Weed Management’, for bulbous bluegrass control in range Crop and Weed Field Day. and ‘Fight 5/Why YOU Should Care about and pasture. They include herbicides July 21, Post Farm in Bozeman. The MSU Invasive Plants’. If interested in borrowing that contain the active ingredient Post Farm is 7 miles west of Bozeman. these fun educational items, contact Jane glyphosate (e.g. Roundup®), rimsulfuron Participants will be able to visit research and Mangold at [email protected] or (e.g. Matrix®), sulfometuron methyl demonstration plots of weed management, (406) 994-5513 or Shantell Frame-Martin (e.g. Landmark XP®), or sulfosulfuron pathogen control strategies, cropping at [email protected] or (406) (e.g. Outrider®). Because glyphosate systems, and crop traits. MSU Faculty, staff, 444-9491. is non-selective, it should be applied and students will be available to answer FIGURE 8. Wheel of Weeds. early spring prior to active growth of questions. Attendees are eligible to receive desired perennial grasses. The other Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Continuing active ingredients listed above are more Education Unit credits as well as selective than glyphosate and can be commercial and private applicator pesticide applied post-emergent from fall to early recertification credits. Please save the date spring. See table of herbicides from and contact Fabian Menalled (menalled@ DiTomaso and Kyser (2013) for a list of montana.edu, 994-4783) with questions. herbicides that may be effective based on Level 1 Noxious Weed Management reports by researchers and land managers. Workshop. http://wric.ucdavis.edu/information/ September 22-24, 2015, Bozeman. This natural%20areas/wr_P/Poa_bulbosa.pdf. is a 3-day study of weed biology, ecology, When infestations are very dense and and management and is geared for weed little desired vegetation remains, be sure management professionals, county to integrate revegetation with herbicide Extension agents, and state and federal land applications. managers. See http://www.msuextension. NYLON STOCKINGS WITH SOAKED GRAIN SEED. PHOTO BY KEVIN WANNER. (Wireworm, continued from page 4)

6 Respiratory Protection of Increasing Concern for Montana Pesticide Applicators Cecil Tharp, MSU Extension Pesticide Education Specialist TABLE 1. Personal protective equipment requirements for Paraquat Concentrate. applicators using the paraquat formulation The uses of highly toxic pesticides that Applicators and other handlers (other than require respiratory protection were on the known as ‘Paraquat Concentrate’. For mixers and loaders) must wear: decline for over two decades. Recently, the applicators not mixing and loading, this • long-sleeved shirt and long pants use of one highly toxic active ingredient includes protective eyewear, long sleeve • chemical-resistant gloves - Category A (e.g., barrier laminate, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, is on the rise due to glyphosate resistant shirt and pants, protective eyewear, natural rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride kochia in Montana. This active ingredient chemically resistant gloves and the use of (PVC or viton); is known as ‘paraquat’. Paraquat is in such a NIOSH approved particulate filtering • shoes plus socks formulations as Devour®, Firestorm®, respirator with any N, R or P filter with an • protective eyewear Helmquat 3SL®, Gramoxone SL®, approval prefix of TC-84A (Table 1). • NIOSH-approved particulate filtering respirator equipped with N, R or P class filter media. Cyclone SL 2.0®, Bonedry®, Willowood Respirator requirements can be quite The respirator should have a NIOSH approval Paraquat 3SL®, Paraquat Concentrate® and confusing due to the wide variety of number prefix TC-84A. It is recommended that Parazone 3SL Herbicide®. Paraquat is a you require that respirator wearer be fit tested, respirators on the market. Some product and trained in the sue, maintenance and limita- photosynthesis inhibitor and acts as a non- labels contain designations such as TC- tions of the respirator. selective contact herbicide. 84A, TC-21A, TC-23C, TC-14G, TC-13F Applicators should use this pesticide and TC-19C (Table 2). The product label product with care as it’s classified as a for ‘Paraquat Concentrate’ calls for a TC- in. If the mask is properly sealed, it should category 1 substance with the signal word 84A respirator. TC-84A respirators include: collapse on face with no signs of leakage. Re- adjust mask until you get a seal or purchase of ‘Danger – Poison’. The signal word The ‘Paraquat Concentrate’ product label a mask of a more appropriate size. Be aware ‘Danger – Poison’ implies that this pesticide further requires fit testing. Applicators that facial hair will obstruct the proper seal product is highly toxic through multiple using this product must wear any TC-84A of a respirator. Even the face piece respirator routes of entry. When using paraquat option after proper fit testing. Applicators has fit testing instructions that should products applicators should remember to: using any category 1 (Danger – Poison) accompany the respirator when purchased. • have buffers between the pesticide liquid formulation are urged to wear only application and sensitive areas (livestock, respirators that can be fit tested even if the Types of Filters and Cartridges. The people, pets). product label doesn’t describe fit testing. ‘Paraquat Concentrate’ product label also • follow all re-entry requirements on the There are many other types of respirators calls for the use of particulate filters rated as pesticide products label. that may be required on other pesticide N (NOT resistant to oil), R (RESISTANT • wear proper personal protective product labels including self-contained to oil) or P (oil PROOF). N-series filters equipment. breathing apparatuses, powered air are not oil resistant, R-series filters are oil- respirators and others (Table 2). resistant and P-series filters are oil-proof. Personal Protective Equipment Filter efficiency is rated as 95, 99 or 100. Fit Testing. Fit testing is a method for Personal protective equipment (PPE) For example you could have a label that selecting only respirators that fit properly. requirements are usually on the first specifies N, R or P filters with an efficiency Pesticide applicators should perform a or second page of the product label rating of 100. This is referring to N100, negative pressure test by covering the surface under Precautionary Statements. Table R100 or P100 filters for your respirator. The 1 represents the PPE requirements for or hose where air is inhaled and breathe

#1 Filtering face-piece respirator (N, R, or P) #2 Air Purifying Respirator (APR) with #3 Air Purifying Respirator (APR) with particulate filters (N, R or P) combination chemical cartridge and filter (N, R or P filter) 7 (respiratory protection, continued from p. 6) product label for ‘Paraquat Concentrate’ TABLE 2. NIOSH Designations allows for the use of any N, R or P filter. TC – 84A Filtering face-piece respirator (N, R or P)

Chemical cartridges remove gases and Air purifying respirator with particulate filers (N, R or P) vapors but they don’t remove particulates. Air purifying respirator with combination chem cartridge and filter (N, R or P) Organic vapor cartridges are the most TC – 21C Powered air-purifying respirator with particulate filter (HE) common cartridges required for agricultural pesticides. Chemical cartridges should be TC – 23C Air purifying respirator with chemical cartridges changed if you detect chemical odors while Powered air purifying respirator with chemical cartridges wearing respirator. Powered air purifying respirator with combination chemical cartridge and filter (HE) For More Information TC – 14G Gas mask with or without particulate filter (N, R or P) For more information on respirators see the Tight-fitting powered air purifying respirator with gas canister with or without filter (HE) CDC NIOSH requirements at www.cdc. TC – 13F Self-contained breathing apparatus gov/niosh/docs/96-101/ or see pages 96 Supplied-air respirator with a self-contained escape bottle – 100 of the national pesticide applicator core manual at http://www.nasda.org/File. TC – 19C Supplied-air respirator aspx?id=30515. For other questions contact Cecil Tharp (MSU Pesticide Education Coordinator; 406-994-5067; ctharp@ montana.edu).

Meet Your Specialist Emily Glunk, MSU Extension Forage Specialist, Department of and Range Sciences

it was snowing. In May. Not something I department is something that I work hard expected. But I absolutely love Bozeman, to do. I have a lot of summer projects, and Montana, even with the weird weather including a new alfalfa variety trial, a forage we have been getting. establishment trial, a project looking at I was a teaching assistant at both NC targeted grazing for termination of biennial State and University of Minnesota, and clover, a nitrate quantification trial, and a I also taught an Equine Forage Systems forage-finishing project at Red Bluff. course at the University of Wisconsin-River I have tried to create a very applied Falls while I was working on my PhD. research program that will be useful to Teaching is one of my favorite parts of the producers and ranchers throughout the job, and interacting with the students is one state. I have travelled quite a bit my first I am originally from a small town in central aspect I truly enjoy. few months, talking to producers to find Pennsylvania called Jersey Shore (and no, out what information they need for forage it is nowhere close to New Jersey). I got The things that I am most interested production systems. my undergraduate degree at Penn State in are how to efficiently optimize forage University in 2010, then I went to North production, whether it be at establishment, As far as hobbies, I have two horses, my Carolina State University for my Master’s harvest, with rotations, fertilizer mare Khenya and her colt Django, which degree, which I completed in 2012. I then management, a number of things. I am also is where I spend the majority of my free went directly into my doctoral degree at interested in the forage/animal interaction, time. I have had Khenya since I was in high the University of Minnesota, which I just as that is the reason that we produce most school, and we competed in Dressage and finished in 2014. I defended my Ph.D. forages, to feed livestock. Looking at forage hunter/jumpers. I’m hoping Django will the beginning of May, and headed west utilization and production in terms of be my next hunter prospect. I also enjoy five days later. I got to Bozeman around animal production is really important, and hiking with my two dogs, Milly and Tucker, May 15 of last year, and to my surprise, collaborating with animal scientists in the and doing anything outdoors. 8

Ask the Expert

Q. I read an article about a biopesticide as fall 2015; ACK55 would be available at emergency personnel. See complete WPS for cheatgrass. Is there really something some point after that, possibly fall 2016. requirements at www.epa.gov/agriculture/ like this out there and if so, can you tell me A soil-borne fungal pathogen Pyrenophora htc.html. These requirements are mandatory more about it? semeniperda is also being explored as a if you have workers in the field up to 30 A. Jane Mangold says: Pseudomonas cheatgrass biopesticide, but is not as far in days after the spray application. fluorescens is a naturally occurring, soil- its development as ACK55 and D7. Q. Is there a good resource to identify dwelling bacterium that is currently being Q. Do I have any responsibilities to protect weed seeds? developed as a biopesticide for cheatgrass my workers from pesticides if I hire a A. Fabian Menalled says: This is and some other weedy annual grasses. commercial applicator? an excellent question as good weed The isolate ACK55 selectively inhibits A. Cecil Tharp says:Yes. You are still management should consider all life cheatgrass as well as medusahead and legally required to follow all federal Worker stages of the species under consideration. jointed goatgrass. Cheatgrass typically Protection Standard requirements even Unfortunately, because it tends to be the overwinters as a seedling and begins root though you’re not applying the pesticide. least visible one, many times we forget to growth in early spring before native range As the owner of the area being sprayed consider the seed stage. Yet, it is one of grasses and grassy crops like winter wheat you’re responsible for the most important stages in the life cycle resume growth. During this time, P. of a plant, particularly of annual species, fluorescence ACK55 produces compounds • information at a central location (safety plants which grow from seed, reproduce, that suppress root growth thus decreasing poster, restricted-entry interval [REI], and die within a single year. Montana State seedling vigor and the number of tillers application), University published the Weed Seedling and seeds produced. Over time (period • pesticide safety training, Identification guide, available online of 3-4 years), the overall competitive • decontamination supplies, as a free downloadable PDF at http:// ability of cheatgrass is reduced which • posted warning signs during REI, store.msuextension.org/publications/ allows neighboring desired grasses to out- • oral warnings, and AgandNaturalResources/EB0215.pdf. The compete cheatgrass. ACK55 and another • emergency assistance. guide not only includes beautiful photos Pseudomonas isolate, D7, are patented and Emergency assistance includes making of weed seedlings and tips to recognize the in various stages of review and commercial transportation available in case anyone species, but it also has photos of their seeds. development. D7 may be available as early was injured by pesticides and making pesticide product labels readily available for

DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION REGARDING THE MONTANA IPM BULLETIN? Send your questions or suggestions to:

Cecil Tharp Jane Mangold Pesticide Education Specialist Invasive Plant Specialist P.O. Box 172900 P.O. Box 173120 Montana State University Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717-00 Bozeman, MT 59717-3120 Phone: (406) 994-5067 Phone: (406) 994-5513 Fax: (406) 994-5589 Fax: (406) 994-3933 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.pesticides.montana.

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