Insect Trap Counts for the Eastern Shore for Week ending Sept 11
In general moth activity has dropped off considerably this week.
The Blacklight trap counts for this week were as follows: David Long (Cape Charles) = 10 corn earworm (down from last week), 3 beet armyworm, 0 fall armyworm (low), 0 brown stink bug, 1 green stink bug (very low). Blacklight trap – Mark Colson (Eastville) = 9 corn earworm, 6 beet armyworm (drop), 2 Fall armyworm; 2 green stink bugs, 0 brown stink bugs. Blacklight trap Painter = 7 corn earworm moths (drop), 1 green stink bugs, 0 brown stink bugs. ******************************************Corn earworm Pheromone Traps (weekly catch): Keller = 0; Tasley = 0; Modesttown = 15 (moderate); New Church = 1; Horntown = 0; Eastville = 6 (drop); Machipongo = 9 (drop); Painter = 7 (drop); Guilford = 0. Beet armyworm Pheromone traps (weekly catch): Modestown = 5; New Church = 2; Horntown = 14; Machipongo = 52 (drop, but still active); Painter = 31 (rise). Fall armyworm pheromone traps (weekly catch): Painter: 21 (moderate); Newman – Eastville: 1; Hortntown: 4. ****************************************************************************************Summary, corn earworm moth activity appears to be finally dropping off on the Eastern Shore. The moths are on the decline in Northampton County and lower Accomack. However, larval activity in tomatoes, cotton, soybeans, green beans, and lima beans is probably quite active if insecticide sprays were not applied over the past couple weeks – during the heavy flights. Beet armyworm moth activity has dropped in Northampton County, but remains moderate in the Machipongo location. Stink bug adult activity appears to be done for the season. Heavy rains like we’ve recently experienced on the Eastern Shore will often finish off the pest outbreaks of number of insect species, particularly caterpillar or “worm” pests. In additon to washing small larvae off of plants, heavy precipitation often will trigger high mortality from insect disease pathogens such as fungi and bacteria. This natural control may save growers an insecticide spray.