Search results

As we wait for soybean aphids to arrive, we discuss how the early and large outbreak of Japanese beetles in central Iowa may harm crop production. Dr. Hodgson discusses some options for preventing the beetles from clipping corn silk, a significant form of damage caused by these pests. For more info, visit Dr. Hodgson's blog at http://iowabuglife.blogspot.com

Today, Matt and Erin talk about an old pest that is new again. European corn borer is making a comeback in some non Bt-corn. Identification and management are important for timely foliar insecticide applications. Also, Erin saw a small plot with increasing soybean aphid populations - it was also noted in other research plots compared to last week. Lastly, they talk about the potential usefulness of UAVs for making management decisions in field crops. The link Matt mentioned: http://n.pr/1GjpPBx/.

Today, Matt breaks down a technical publication to Erin. This study evaluated the effect a lady beetle had on diamondback moth  in Bt broccoli. Turns out, the presence of natural enemies can slow down the rate of Bt resistance. They talk about implications for this research in Iowa, specifically for corn rootworm in corn. Read the full article here: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0090366. 

Matt and Erin have a special guest on this podcast to help understand life cycle assessments. Dr. Kurt Rosentrater is an engineer and associate professor at Iowa State. Kurt explained the basics of conducting a life cycle assessment, including assumptions and resulting complications that come with this tool. They focused on a recent example looking at environmental impacts in four major crops. Here is the link to the paper so you can follow along with figures: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iop/erl/2015/00000010/00000009/art094016. The assessment showed freshwater ecotoxicity impact in soybean increased 3-fold from 2002 to 2012. The authors claimed the insecticides used to control soybean aphid was an important factor. Corn, cotton and wheat did not have a significant increase of impact over the study duration. Learn more about Kurt's research and teaching program here: http://www.abe.iastate.edu/kurt-a-rosentrater-assistant-professor/. 

Today, Matt and Erin have so much to talk about in this episode. The multiple phone calls and people stopping by Erin's office can't stop the podcast. Lab members found a few soybean aphids in central and northeast Iowa. This is not too surprising because a few soybean aphids can usually be found in June. Populations are very low, but something to note as the field season continues.

The first soybean aphids of the year were found in northeastern Iowa. Photo by Greg VanNostrand. 

The warm winter was helpful to those insects trying to overwinter in Iowa, particularly for bean leaf beetle. For the other crop in Iowa, corn rootworm egg hatch is peaking, stalk borers are moving to corn, and European corn borer egg hatch is also happening now. Then the conversation turned to millipedes - not a typical field crop pest. They talk about field conditions conducive to millipede injury, in addition to other emerging pests like slugs, snails and isopods. Finally, Matt reminded us Pollinator Fest is coming up at Reiman Gardens in Ames on June 25. 

Random fact: Millipedes are arthropods within the class Diplopoda. They are distant relatives to insects and arachnids. People who study millipedes are called diplopodologists. 

Millipede. Photo by David Cappaert, www.ipmimages.org.