Insect activity has increased across Alabama, according to Alabama Extension. Traps record pest populations across the state over a two-week period.
Specialty crop producers should be wary of beet armyworms and southern armyworms. Beet armyworms have increased 32% compared to a 75% increase for fall armyworms. According to the pest monitoring report, there were 99 beet armyworms on July 1, compared to 75 two weeks prior. There were 43 fall armyworms recorded, compared to 30 two weeks ago.
Southern armyworms have increased by 40%, 79 to 110; while yellowstriped armyworms have increased 6%, 16 to 17.
Tomato fruitworm/corn earworm infestations have gone up by 32%, while tobacco budworms have increased by 14%.
Growers who want to access major pest and disease images, should download the Farming Basics Phone App. It now has an organic and conventional insect control function in the ‘Insect’ tab.