Category: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

European corn borer Degree Day report – 28 May 2023

Published on by Cara McCreary

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 validated 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.

Continue reading “European corn borer Degree Day report – 28 May 2023” →

Targeted scouting efforts for European corn borer

Published on by Cara McCreary

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.

Continue reading “Targeted scouting efforts for European corn borer” →

Tank Mixing Update – Implications for Users of Pest Control Products

Published on by Cara McCreary

Written by Josh Mosiondz, Provincial Minor Use Coordinator (OMAFRA) with input from Jason Deveau, Application Technology Specialist (OMAFRA)

Vertical spray boom in greenhouse pepper crop

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.

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced clarifications to the tank mixing policy in a new guidance document on December 22nd, 2022, entitled “PMRA Guidance Document Tank Mix Labelling”.

Continue reading “Tank Mixing Update – Implications for Users of Pest Control Products” →

Thrips: Going Dark for Winter

Published on by Cara McCreary

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.

Continue reading “Thrips: Going Dark for Winter” →

Upcoming Webinar: “Squeaky Clean Start to 2023”

Published on by Cara McCreary

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.

More details can be found below on how to register for this joint event between Michigan State Extension and OMAFRA’s Grow ON Webinar series.

Free Webinar in GROW ON Series

Continue reading “Upcoming Webinar: “Squeaky Clean Start to 2023”” →

Greenhouse Waste Disposal Through Composting

Published on by Cara McCreary

Composting rockwool? Deactivating ToBRFV? Tell me more…

Walker Industries has developed a method to process and recycle spent rockwool slabs, turning it into a bulk agent for soil blends. This is a true win for a more sustainable approach to greenhouse waste disposal.

Continue reading “Greenhouse Waste Disposal Through Composting” →

A FRESH START: Making the Most of Crop Clean Out

Published on by Cara McCrearyLeave a comment

As we approach the end of the 2022 crop cycle for many greenhouse vegetable and fruit crops, there is an opportunity to start anew. Get out your brooms, power washers and scrub brushes! And dive into a critical component of integrated pest management (IPM): conducting a thorough clean out between crops. This cultural management tool reduces carryover of arthropod pests and plant pathogens, improving the success of IPM programs in your next crop.

Continue reading “A FRESH START: Making the Most of Crop Clean Out” →

Thrips Identification

Published on by Cara McCreary
Western flower thrips in pepper flower

Simple Thrips Key for Growers:

This grower-friendly, pictorial key has been developed to make thrips identification easier on-farm. Recently, thrips species other than western flower thrips have become a significant problem in Ontario floriculture greenhouses. Correct identification is the first step to better control.

Continue reading “Thrips Identification” →