Authors: Cara McCreary, Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, OMAFRA and Tracey Baute, Entomologist – Field Crops, OMAFRA
What is European Corn Borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis)?
In a nutshell, ECB is a small nocturnal brown moth. Problem is, they may choose pepper plants as hosts for egg-laying and larval development. Since larvae feed and develop inside the pepper fruit, which is the marketable portion of your plants, it’s important to be on the lookout for them. ECB overwinters as fully-grown larvae in corn stubble or other plant material and complete development the following spring. When adults emerge, they take flight to look for mates and suitable hosts such as corn, wheat, potatoes, hemp and unfortunately greenhouse peppers to feed and reproduce.
There are three different European corn borer (ECB) areas in southwestern Ontario – a 1-generation (univoltine) area, a 2-generation (bivoltine) area, and an overlap area that has both univoltine and bivoltine populations (Baute, 1999). Degree Days (DD) are heat accumulations using a base temperature (i.e. a minimum temperature required for development). A DD model was developed to predict flight patterns of ECB in southwestern Ontario (Baute, 1999). This model gives us an idea when ECB flight begins, peaks and ends based on moth captures and can be used to guide scouting efforts and management decisions. Below are the estimated accumulated DD for ECB in some regions of southwestern Ontario.
The warm weather is upon us! We will see DD’s accumulate more quickly with the increase in temperature.
Essex & Chatham-Kent Areas (2-generation/bivoltine area): As of yesterday, May 22, 2023 DD accumulations were approximately 133 in Harrow, 145 in Windsor, and 115 in Ridgetown. ECB flight of the 1st generation may begin within the next couple of days in Harrow and Windsor, and within a week or two in Ridgetown, depending on temperatures. Populations will continue to increase until peak flight. Start planning for ECB monitoring by getting your black light traps or pheromone traps ready and training your scouts for signs of larval entry holes in the peppers.
London & Sarnia Areas (overlap area): As of May 22, the DD accumulations were approximately 112 in London, and 112 in Sarnia. For the 2-generation population, first flight of the 1st generation will likely begin within the next week or two in these areas, depending on temperatures. Populations will continue to increase until peak flight. Start planning for ECB monitoring by getting your black light traps ready and training your scouts for signs of larval entry holes in the peppers.
Vineland Area (1-generation/univoltine area): As of May 22, the DD accumulations were approximately 101. First flight is likely a few weeks away. Start planning for ECB monitoring by getting your black light traps ready and training your scouts for signs of larval entry holes in the peppers.
N.B. Warm, calm evenings are best for flight which usually begins shortly after sundown and ceases by midnight. High winds, thunderstorms and temperatures less than 180C (650F) can delay or stop egg-laying outdoors. Also, grassy areas or areas of dense vegetation are best for mating activities which usually begins by 10 p.m., peaks at 1 a.m., and ends at dawn. So please remember to clear the areas around the greenhouse of grass and other vegetation.
There are three different European corn borer (ECB) areas in southwestern Ontario – a 1-generation (univoltine) area, a 2-generation (bivoltine) area, and an overlap area that has both univoltine and bivoltine populations (Baute, 1999). Degree Days (DD) are heat accumulations using a base temperature (i.e., a minimum temperature required for development). A DD model was developed to predict flight patterns of ECB in southwestern Ontario (Baute, 1999). This model gives us an idea when ECB flight begins, peaks and ends based on moth captures and can be used to guide scouting efforts and management decisions. Below are the estimated accumulated DD for ECB in some regions of southwestern Ontario.
The warm weather is upon us! We will see DD’s accumulate more quickly with the increase in temperature.
Essex & Chatham-Kent Areas (2-generation/bivoltine area): As of yesterday, May 15, DD accumulations were approximately 105 in Harrow, 116 in Windsor, and 93 in Ridgetown. ECB flight of the 1st generation may begin within the next couple of weeks in these areas, depending on temperature. Populations will continue to increase until peak flight. Start planning for ECB monitoring by getting your black light traps or pheromone traps ready and training your scouts for signs of larval entry holes in the peppers.
London & Sarnia Areas (overlap area): As of May 15, the DD accumulations were approximately 93 in London, and 89 in Sarnia. For the 2-generation population, first flight of the 1st generation will likely begin within the next couple of weeks in these areas, depending on temperature. Populations will continue to increase until peak flight. Start planning for ECB monitoring by getting your black light traps ready and training your scouts for signs of larval entry holes in the peppers.
Vineland Area (1-generation/univoltine area): As of May 15, the DD accumulations were approximately 78. First flight is likely a few weeks away. Start planning for ECB monitoring by getting your black light traps ready and training your scouts for signs of larval entry holes in the peppers.
N.B. Warm, calm evenings are best for flight which usually begins shortly after sundown and ceases by midnight. High winds, thunderstorms and temperatures less than 180C (650F) can delay or stop egg-laying outdoors. Also, grassy areas or areas of dense vegetation are best for mating activities which usually begins by 10 p.m., peaks at 1 a.m., and ends at dawn. So please remember to clear the areas around the greenhouse of grass and other vegetation.
Written by Josh Mosiondz, Provincial Minor Use Coordinator (OMAFRA) with input from Jason Deveau, Application Technology Specialist (OMAFRA)
Tank mixing, a practice commonly performed by growers across the agricultural spectrum, is an important practice used to reduce the number of sprayer passes per season, prevent resistance development, and to improve product performance.
Hop Latent Viroid disease (HLVd) is a virus of hops, that has recently started causing serious issues in cannabis production. To help growers learn how to spot this disease and minimize it’s impact on cannabis yields, OMAFRA’s GrowON webinar series is cohosting a talk with Niagara College’s Commercial Cannabis Program.
Authors: Dr. S. Jandricic (OMAFRA) and A. Summerfield (Vineland).
It turns out thrips and Sarah have something very important in common – they both like to change up their look depending on the season!
Although you (probably) have no trouble recognizing her with a change of hair colour, different colour morphs within certain thrips species can throw growers for a loop when it comes to identification.
Read on for which thrips like to shake it up seasonally, so you don’t get fooled.
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC) is February 22nd & 23rd at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre. Come for the trade show, the educational sessions, and the poster session. View more details and register here.
A full list of sessions/workshops can be found here. Session calendars taken from the OFVC highlights brochure are found below:
Are you interested in getting hands-on work experience and learning more about careers in the Ontario Public Service? This position will provide an excellent opportunity for those interested in a career in horticulture and entomology research. This position will provide opportunities to support pest management issues within Ontario’s greenhouse and nursery sectors, the largest sector of horticulture in Ontario.
Getting off on the right foot in the new year is important personally AND in your greenhouse, especially when it comes to pest management.
Join two of our Canadian greenhouse experts for some great talks on where, when and how to sanitize in your greenhouse to avoid pest outbreaks, and new research findings on dipping vegetative cuttings to reduce incoming pests.
