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Looking Ahead
Volume 61 Number 1 Date 04/28/2016 BLACK CUTWORM - Migrants arrived in high numbers for the second consecutive week. The DATCP network of 39 pheromone traps registered 494 moths from April 21-27, for a cumulative total of 676 moths this month. Moths began appearing in the state by March 29 this year and egg deposition is now occurring on winter annual weeds such as common chickweed, peppergrass and yellow rocket in no-tillage and reduced tillage fields. Based on the first major migration event on April 17, larvae resulting from the spring flight could begin cutting corn seedlings as early as May 20. BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG - More than 20 brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) reports have been confirmed this spring, most originating from the Madison area of Dane County. The identifications were verified by PJ Liesch of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab. The activity observed so far indicates the stink bugs overwintered successfully and populations could surge in 2016. To date, BMSB still has not been trapped or observed in any agricultural crop in Wisconsin, but UW and DATCP entomologists expect its status may change from an urban nuisance pest to an agricultural pest this season. Apples, beans, grapes, soybeans, sweet corn and tomatoes are a few of the crops at high risk of BMSB damage. GYPSY MOTH - Overwintered eggs began hatching on April 25 in Dane, Dunn, Rock, Trempealeau and Vernon counties. This event occurred on April 24 last year and April 30 in 2014. Aerial spraying directed against first- and second-instar larvae will likely begin during the week of May 9, depending upon weather. ALFALFA WEEVIL - Several adult weevils were collected from fields in Dane and Rock counties on April 25, signaling the start of spring egg deposition in alfalfa stems. Larval emergence remains 1-2 weeks away and is forecasted for May 7 at Beloit, May 11 near Madison, May 14 at Wautoma, and May 19 near Wausau. LILY LEAF BEETLE - An April 21 report from Marathon County confirms the winter survival of lily leaf beetle (LLB), a destructive introduced pest of cultivated lilies detected for the first time in Wisconsin June of 2014. Several overwintered beetles were observed on lily foliage at a residence in Weston. Gardeners and homeowners in Marathon County are asked to remain alert for LLB this season and take measures to prevent it from spreading. LLB sightings should be reported to the DATCP Nursery Program at datcpnursery@wisconsin.gov. TRUE ARMYWORM - The first armyworm moths were captured at Janesville in Rock County during the week of April 13-19. Another 136 moths have been reported since then in the Janesville and Sparta black light traps. Similar to the black cutworm, this long-range migrant overwinters in the south-central U.S. and arrives in Wisconsin each spring on southerly storm fronts. Outbreaks are sporadic and more likely to develop during cool, wet years. -- Krista Hamilton, DATCP Entomologist 
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