Pest Insects

Below are documents and photographs describing some of the pest insects that occur in agricultural field crops grown on the Canadian prairies.

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Scouting Charts:
Canola Insect Scouting Chart
Flax Insect Scouting Chart

Identification Pictures:
Flea Beetles
Cutworm
Lygus
Red Clover Casebearer


CANOLA INSECT SCOUTING CHART (April 25, 2015) - Field scouting is critical as it enables the identification of potential risks to crops.  Canola production systems across the Canadian prairies will suffer insect pest outbreaks.  However, the identification of these insect pests PLUS the application of established monitoring methods will enable growers to make informed pest management decisions.

We offer a generalized canola scouting chart to aid in-field scouting on the Canadian prairies. The scouting chart contains hyperlinks directing growers to pages within the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada: Identification and management field guide" in an effort to help growers learn more about some of our insect pests and how to monitor. 

Whenever possible, monitor and compare to established economic thresholds so pollinators and beneficial arthropods are preserved. Economic thresholds, by definition, can help growers avoid crop losses due to an insect pest.

Good luck with the growing season!


HYPERLINK VERSION (May 11, 2019): 




FLAX INSECT SCOUTING CHART   (May 7, 2017) - Field scouting is critical. It enables the identification of potential risks to crops.  Identification of economically important species of insect pests PLUS the application of established monitoring methods enables growers to make informed pest management decisions.

We offer a generalized flax scouting chart below to aid in-field scouting on the Canadian prairies. The chart includes flax growth staging references and suggested scouting periods for economically important species known to occur on the Canadian prairies.  Common insect pest names are hyperlinked and will direct to pest-specific pages within the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada: Identification and management field guide".  
Growers can then access information about the biology, potential for damage, high quality photos, how to monitor and more about these important insect pests.


Whenever possible, monitor and compare to established economic thresholds so pollinators and beneficial arthropods are preserved. Economic thresholds, by definition, can help growers avoid crop losses due to an insect pest.


Good luck with scouting!



HYPERLINK VERSION (May 11, 2019):



Flea Beetles:




Phyllotreta striolata

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Psylliodes punctulata

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Phyllotreta cruciferae

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Lab-reared bronzed cutworm

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Lygus Adult and Nymph

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Red Clover Casebearer







Red Clover Casebearer Larva

For more information about this photograph, click here