Bertha armyworm monitoring (July 18, 2019; Wk 15)

Bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera: Mamestra configurata) - Predictive model updates are completed for the growing season but can be reviewed here (Wk 14).  

Important - Watch for updates from your provincial monitoring networks who are compiling cumulative pheromone-baited trap interceptions to assess risk levels in Alberta, Saskatchewan (updated 10Jul2019), and Manitoba (look on pg 7).

Biological and monitoring information related to bertha armyworm in field crops is posted by the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also refer to the bertha armyworm pages within the "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and management field guide" which is a free downloadable document as both an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Refer to the PPMN Bertha armyworm monitoring protocol for help when performing in-field scouting.  Use the images below (Fig. 3) to help identify egg masses and the economically important larvae in canola.

Figure 3. Stages of bertha armyworm from egg (A), larva (B), pupa (C) to adult (D).
Photos: J. Williams (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Now is the time to do in-field scouting for this insect pest.  Review the Insect of the Week which features bertha armyworm and its doppelganger, the clover cutworm!