In accordance with Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the EPA has authorized the Emergency Exemption use of Transform WG (active ingredient = sulfoxaflor) to be used on sorghum to control sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) in specified Virginia counties. The authorization will expire November 30, 2017. Foliar applications may be made at 0.75-1.5 oz/acre, with a maximum of 2 applications per acre per year. Please refer to the product’s Section 18 registration for further information, including application directions (at the time of this writing, the 2016 version of the Section 18 is the one available on cdms.net [the 2016 version expires on April 8]). Micah Raub and others with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are acknowledged for their assistance.
Author Archives: Sean Malone
“Soil Management/Soil Fertility Seminars for Row Crops” meeting on March 16, 2017
We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting, “Soil Management/Soil Fertility Seminars for Row Crops” on March 16, 2017, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC, 6321 Holland Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437. Here is the agenda:
9:00 AM – Introduction and Opening Comments, Dr. Hunter Frame
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – Benefits of Conservation Tillage Systems/Introducing Cover Crops, Dr. Mark Reiter
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM – Nitrogen and Sulfur Management in Cotton Production, Dr. Hunter Frame
10:30 AM – 10:35 AM – Break
10:35 AM – 11:05AM – Nitrogen Management in Corn and Winter Wheat Production, Dr. Mark Reiter
11:05 AM – 11:35 AM – Potassium Fertilization Requirement for Full Season and Double-Crop Soybeans, Dr. David Holshouser
11:35 AM – 12:00 PM – Potassium Nutrition of Cotton in Virginia: A look at Timing, Rate, and Source, Dr. Hunter Frame
Reminder for the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Programs in Virginia Beach
The following is being issued on behalf of Roy Flanagan, Virginia Cooperative Extension ANR Agent, Virginia Beach (meeting information and registration forms can be found on my January 30, 2017 blog). This is a reminder for folks to register if you plan to attend any of the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Programs in Virginia Beach. The room block with Fairfield Inns and Suites filled up quickly, we have increased that group of blocked rooms at the special rate of $86 per night. If you tried to register and had issues, please email Roy Flanagan directly and he will get you in touch with the right person to get your room issues taken care of and get the reduced rate.
If you have questions, please contact Roy Flanagan.
Agriculture Extension Agent/ Virginia Beach
Office: 757-385-GROW (4769)
Email: RFlanaga@vbgov.com
2017 Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Programs
The following information is posted on behalf of Roy Flanagan, Virginia Cooperative Extension ANR Agent, Virginia Beach. The first attachment (a Word document) includes details on the Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Programs (Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2017), and the second (a pdf file) is the registration form.
Insect update for Sep. 29, 2016
The 2016 survey of Virginia soybean for brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) and kudzu bug is now finished. We would like to acknowledge the Virginia Soybean Board and the USDA/NIFA Extension Implementation Project for their funding support. Since mid-July, scouts Ed Seymore, Jamie Hogue, and the Tidewater AREC entomology crew made 867 soybean field visits to 68 counties for this project. Ed and Jamie traveled a combined 22,600 miles. BMSB were found in 42 counties, with the highest populations coming from Bedford, Shenandoah, Rappahannock, and Orange Counties. Please see the map for the BMSB densities.
Large numbers of green stink bug were reported in soybean in King George (11 greens per sample), Nelson (12), New Kent (10), Rappahannock (11), and Lunenburg (9); these beans were all in the R6 growth stage. The threshold for R3-4 to R7 stages is 5 stink bugs per 15 sweeps. Moderate green stink bug populations (approximately 3-5) were reported in most of the other counties surveyed this past week. After R7 (beginning maturity), the stink bug threshold is doubled.
Scouts reported less than one kudzu bug nymph per 15 sweeps this week. Over the course of the season, kudzu bugs were found in soybean in 32 counties. Here is the final kudzu bug map:
We conducted 77 cypermethrin vial tests this week with 61% survival by corn earworm moths. We plan to finish out the season with what we collect and test next week. The seasonal average now stands at 43.1% survival.
Finally, our black light traps have been shut down for 2016. The assistance of the participating Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents, growers, and Virginia Tech faculty and staff in this study is greatly appreciated. Here are the final tables for this season: BLT_29_Sep_2016
Black light trap report for Sep. 22, 2016
Black light trap catches of H. zea (corn earworm/bollworm) moths were low this week, with averages ranging from 1 to 3.6 moths per night at our reporting stations. Brown marmorated stink bug captures were very low. Here are the data tables (pdf document): BLT_22_Sep_2016
Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm/bollworm) pyrethroid resistance monitoring update for Sep. 22, 2016
BMSB and kudzu bug survey of soybean: Sep. 22, 2016 update
Our soybean scouts detected brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in three new Virginia counties this week (Halifax, Greensville, and Brunswick). They found soybean fields in the following counties at BMSB threshold (3-5 adults + medium to large nymphs per 2-minute visual count or per 15 sweeps): Albemarle, Bedford, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Orange, Rappahannock, and Shenandoah. Please see the map for more details.
When monitoring, don’t forget about our native stink bug species–we have been seeing moderate to high numbers of green stink bugs in some fields. The threshold for a normal mix of stink bug species (green, brown, and BMSB) is 5 in 15 sweeps.
Kudzu bug numbers in soybean remain below threshold.
Insect pest update for Sep. 15, 2016
Soybean–brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB): Our scouts detected BMSB in two new counties this week–Charles City and Stafford. Eight counties were at threshold (3-5 per 2-minute visual count along the field edge)–these are listed at the bottom of the map.
Soybean–kudzu bug: A range of zero to 5 kudzu bugs per 15 sweeps was reported this week. While no counties were at threshold levels (15 kudzu bugs per 15 sweeps), the highest numbers were reported in Campbell (5), Appomattox (4), and Amelia (3 per 15 sweeps).
Sorghum–white sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari: No new counties reported for this pest this week. So far this season, it has been confirmed in the following Virginia counties: Amelia, Bedford, Charles City, Dinwiddie, Franklin, Greensville, Hanover, Isle of Wight, New Kent, Nottoway, Prince George, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, and Sussex.
Corn earworm/bollworm resistance monitoring: Survival of moths in the vial tests remains high. We evaluated 297 moths this week, with 40.5% survival to the 5 microgram/vial rate of cypermethrin. Our seasonal average stands at 42.8% survival (n = 1,552 moths evaluated).
Black light trap report: Some reporting stations had a small bump upwards in the number of corn earworm moths captured (Warsaw, Prince George, Essex); declines occurred in Suffolk and Southampton. Very few BMSB were caught. Please refer to the tables for more information. BLT_15_Sep_2016
Insect pest update for Sep. 8, 2016
White sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, in sorghum: I did not receive any reports of this aphid being found in any new Virginia counties this week.
Brown marmorated stink bug in soybean: Our scouts reported 11 Virginia counties having threshold levels of BMSB, with highest numbers from Bedford and Orange (9 and 6 BMSB per 2-minute visual inspection, respectively). First reports for the season came from James City, King George, Culpeper, and Frederick. Please see the following map:
Kudzu bug in soybean: Our scouts have not found any Virginia counties with threshold levels of this pest in 2016. The current map:
Corn earworm/bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) resistance monitoring: The number of moths surviving the 24-hour exposure to 5 micrograms of cypermethrin in this week’s vial tests was 45.8% (n = 180 moths evaluated). The seasonal average is 43.4% survival, based on 1,255 moths tested. 
Black light trap counts: Corn earworm moth captures dropped slightly from the previous weeks’ counts; brown marmorated stink bug counts were zero across all reporting stations. Please see the attached tables (pdf document) for more details: BLT_8_Sep_2016