Article by Jack Bacheler, NCSU Extension Entomologist Most cotton producers are holding off on planting until we get back to warmer sunny conditions and drier soils. In much of our cotton production region, degree days above 60 are just barely … Continue reading
Article by Jack Bacheler, NCSU Extension Entomologist Throughout the growing season we will try to keep producers, consultants and agents up to date on the “insect conditions” in North Carolina and how to manage situations before and as they arise. … Continue reading
There are many management efforts you can take before your soybean seed goes into the ground. Some of these actions are simply insurance and some of them, like your choice of row-spacing and planting date, are the best insect management … Continue reading
Article by Jack Bacheler, Extension Entomologist In my too-long-career-to-tell here at NCSU, I don’t think I have witnessed a year of perfect weather for both optimal cotton seedling growth and for ease of thrips control – that is, continuously warm, … Continue reading
Yes, spring is in the air and kudzu bugs are again on the move. This article covers 1) what is going on in terms of movement right now and 2) what you can expect in terms of future soybean invasions … Continue reading
Article by Jack Bacheler, Extension Entomologist Although largely determined by weather patterns, our predictive capabilities for insect outbreaks, like weather, are poor more than a week or two in advance. However a few observations may be in order as we … Continue reading
Article by Jack Bacheler, Extension Entomologist If upcoming cotton insect outbreaks are difficult to predict following cold or warm winters, this past winter’s average conditions likely reveal even less insight into what’s in store for us in 2013. Questionable Insect … Continue reading
There are very few people who have the ability to scout Hessian fly eggs, due to their size. Several consultants who do have this skill have reported finding relatively high numbers of eggs on wheat during the last week. This … Continue reading
Article by Jack Bacheler. Cotton Insects and Weather As always, our unfolding ‘cotton insect pest year’ will be influenced by present and upcoming weather patterns. Although most areas of the state presently have adequate moisture, our present and predicted upcoming … Continue reading
Although we are now in a warmer summer weather pattern, recent cool conditions and generally plentiful rainfall persisted this past week and appears to have temporarily suppressed adult thrips levels in many areas of the state. The downside, of course, … Continue reading