Bertha armyworm monitoring

Bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera: Mamestra configurata) - Model simulations for June 28, 2020, indicate that 26% of the population is in the pupal stage (compared to 69% last week), 52% in the adult stage (26% last week), and 20% are predicted to be eggs (5% last week).  Larvae are predicted to begin to occur (2%) this week. Across the Parkland and Peace River regions BAW populations are predicted to be transitioning from the pupal to adult stage (Fig. 1).  BAW adults should be showing up in traps.  Populations across southern regions are primarily in the egg stage (green region in Fig. 1).  Over the next 7-10 days larvae should begin to appear in this region.  

Development near Brandon (Fig. 2) is predicted to be ahead of fields near Saskatoon (Fig. 3).  First instar larvae are predicted to be occurring in southern Manitoba (Fig. 3). 

Figure 1. Predicted percent of bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) population at adult stage as of June 28, 2020. 

Figure 2. Predicted bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) phenology at Saskatoon SK as of June 28, 2020.

Figure 3. Predicted bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) phenology at Brandon MB as of June 28, 2020.

Figure 4. Stages of bertha armyworm from egg (A), larva (B), pupa (C) to adult (D).
Photos: J. Williams (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of bertha armyworm is improved through the use of pheromone-baited unitraps traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  Click each province to access moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as they become available. Check these sites to assess cumulative counts and relative risk in your geographic region.

Refer to the PPMN Bertha armyworm monitoring protocol for help when performing in-field scouting.  Use the images above (Fig. 4) to help identify egg masses and the economically important larvae in canola.  Review the 2019 Insect of the Week which featured bertha armyworm and its doppelganger, the clover cutworm! 

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.

Diamondback moth

Diamondback moth (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella) - Once diamondback moth is present in the area, it is important to monitor individual canola fields for larvae.  Warm growing conditions can quickly translate into multiple generations in a very short period!

Wind Trajectory Updates - Completed for 2020 growing season as of Week 09 (released June 22, 2020).

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of diamondback moth is improved through the use of pheromone-baited delta traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  Click each province to access moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as they become available. Check these sites to assess cumulative counts and relative risk in your geographic region.

Monitoring:
Remove the plants in an area measuring 0.1 m² (about 12" square), beat them on to a clean surface and count the number of larvae (Fig. 1) dislodged from the plant. Repeat this procedure at least in five locations in the field to get an accurate count.

Figure 1. Diamondback larva measuring ~8 mm long.
Note brown head capsule and forked appearance of prolegs on posterior.

Figure 2. Diamondback moth pupa within silken cocoon.

Economic threshold for diamondback moth in canola at the advanced pod stage is 20 to 30 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 2-3 larvae per plant).  Economic thresholds for canola or mustard in the early flowering stage are not available. However, insecticide applications are likely required at larval densities of 10 to 15 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 1-2 larvae per plant).

Figure 3. Diamondback moth.

Biological and monitoring information for DBM is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.  

More information about Diamondback moths can be found by accessing the pages from the  "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Field Guide".  View ONLY the Diamondback moth page but remember the guide is available as a free downloadable document as both an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Diamondback moth

Diamondback moth (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella) - Once diamondback moth is present in the area, it is important to monitor individual canola fields for larvae.  Warm growing conditions can quickly translate into multiple generations in a very short period!

Wind Trajectory Updates - Wind trajectory models used to deliver an early-warning system for the origin and destination of migratory invasive species indicated arrival events of air currents potentially carrying migrating diamondback moths from more southerly regions.  Access the Weekly Wind Trajectory Report (released June 22, 2020) to review where wind trajectories originating over Mexico, California, Texas or the Pacific Northwest cross locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of diamondback moth is improved through the use of pheromone-baited delta traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  Click each province to access moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as they become available. Check these sites to assess cumulative counts and relative risk in your geographic region.

Monitoring:
Remove the plants in an area measuring 0.1 m² (about 12" square), beat them on to a clean surface and count the number of larvae (Fig. 1) dislodged from the plant. Repeat this procedure at least in five locations in the field to get an accurate count.

Figure 1. Diamondback larva measuring ~8 mm long.
Note brown head capsule and forked appearance of prolegs on posterior.

Figure 2. Diamondback moth pupa within silken cocoon.

Economic threshold for diamondback moth in canola at the advanced pod stage is 20 to 30 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 2-3 larvae per plant).  Economic thresholds for canola or mustard in the early flowering stage are not available. However, insecticide applications are likely required at larval densities of 10 to 15 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 1-2 larvae per plant).

Figure 3. Diamondback moth.

Biological and monitoring information for DBM is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.  

More information about Diamondback moths can be found by accessing the pages from the  "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Field Guide".  View ONLY the Diamondback moth page but remember the guide is available as a free downloadable document as both an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Bertha armyworm monitoring

Bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera: Mamestra configurata) - Model simulations as of June 21, 2020, indicate that 69 % of the population is in the pupal stage (Fig. 1), 26% in the adult stage (Fig. 2) and 5 % is predicted to be in the egg stage (Fig. 3).  Across the Parkland and Peace River regions, BAW populations are predicted to be predominantly in the pupal stage (Fig. 1).  Last week BAW adults were predicted to occur in isolated areas across the southern prairies (Fig. 2).  This week adults should be collected in BAW traps across south and central regions of the prairies.  Eggs may be occurring in southern regions (Fig. 3).  

Figure 1. Predicted percent of bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) population at pupal stage as of June 21, 2020. 

Figure 2. Predicted percent of bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) population at adult stage as of June 21, 2020. 

Figure 3. Predicted percent of bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) population at egg stage as of June 21, 2020. 

The BAW model was run until June 30, 2020 to project developmental status. The simulations for Saskatoon (Fig. 4) and Brandon (Fig. 5) indicate that first occurrence of BAW larvae may begin later next week. 

Figure 4. Projected bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) phenology at Saskatoon SK as of June 30, 2020.

Figure 5. Projected bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) phenology at Brandon MB as of June 30, 2020.

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of bertha armyworm is improved through the use of pheromone-baited unitraps traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  Click each province to access moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as they become available. Check these sites to assess cumulative counts and relative risk in your geographic region.

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. 6) to help identify egg masses and the economically important larvae in canola.  Review the 2019 Insect of the Week which featured bertha armyworm and its doppelganger, the clover cutworm!

Figure 6. Stages of bertha armyworm from egg (A), larva (B), pupa (C) to adult (D).
Photos: J. Williams (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Bertha armyworm monitoring

Bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera: Mamestra configurata) - Model simulations to June 14, 2020, indicate that pupal development is greater than 90% across most of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  Pupal development is predicted to be slower across central and northern regions of Alberta.  First occurrence of BAW should be occurring in isolated regions across southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In fact, adult BAW were reported in Saskatoon by Dr. Julie Soroka on June 17, 2020.  By next week adults should be emerging across most of the prairies.  

Figure 1. Predicted bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) pupal development across
the Canadian prairies as of June 14, 2020. 

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. 2) to help identify egg masses and the economically important larvae in canola.  Review the 2019 Insect of the Week which featured bertha armyworm and its doppelganger, the clover cutworm!

Figure 2. Stages of bertha armyworm from egg (A), larva (B), pupa (C) to adult (D).
Photos: J. Williams (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Diamondback moth

Diamondback moth (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella) - Once diamondback moth is present in the area, it is important to monitor individual canola fields for larvae.  Warm growing conditions can quickly translate into multiple generations in a very short period!

Wind Trajectory Updates - Wind trajectory models used to deliver an early-warning system for the origin and destination of migratory invasive species indicated arrival events of air currents potentially carrying migrating diamondback moths from more southerly regions.  Access the Weekly Wind Trajectory Report (released June 15, 2020) to review where wind trajectories originating over Mexico, California, Texas or the Pacific Northwest cross locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of diamondback moth is improved through the use of pheromone-baited delta traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  Click each province to access moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as they become available. Check these sites to assess cumulative counts and relative risk in your geographic region.

Monitoring:
Remove the plants in an area measuring 0.1 m² (about 12" square), beat them on to a clean surface and count the number of larvae (Fig. 1) dislodged from the plant. Repeat this procedure at least in five locations in the field to get an accurate count.

Figure 1. Diamondback larva measuring ~8 mm long.
Note brown head capsule and forked appearance of prolegs on posterior.

Figure 2. Diamondback moth pupa within silken cocoon.

Economic threshold for diamondback moth in canola at the advanced pod stage is 20 to 30 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 2-3 larvae per plant).  Economic thresholds for canola or mustard in the early flowering stage are not available. However, insecticide applications are likely required at larval densities of 10 to 15 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 1-2 larvae per plant).

Figure 3. Diamondback moth.

Biological and monitoring information for DBM is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.  

More information about Diamondback moths can be found by accessing the pages from the  "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Field Guide".  View ONLY the Diamondback moth page but remember the guide is available as a free downloadable document as both an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Bertha armyworm monitoring

Bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera: Mamestra configurata) - Model simulations to June 7, 2020 indicate that BAW pupal development varies widely across the prairies (Fig. 1). Development is predicted to be greatest across the southern prairies. Depending on temperature, BAW adults can be expected to emerge in 5-10 days. 

As a reminder to cooperators monitoring BAW with pheromone traps, the traps should be placed in the field once pupal development in your region reaches 80% (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Predicted bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) pupal development across
the Canadian prairies as of June 7, 2020. 

Recap - We again include last week's Table 1 with the earlier predicted BAW emergence dates.

Table 1. The estimated date on which bertha armyworm pupae will have completed 80% of pupal development and when adult moths are expected to begin emerging at six locations across western Canada.

Over the next weeks, watch your provincial monitoring networks who will weekly compile cumulative pheromone-baited traps in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

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.  Review the 2019 Insect of the Week which featured bertha armyworm and its doppelganger, the clover cutworm!

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

Diamondback moth

Diamondback moth (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella) - Once diamondback moth is present in the area, it is important to monitor individual canola fields for larvae.  Warm growing conditions can quickly translate into multiple generations in a very short period!

Wind Trajectory Updates - Wind trajectory models used to deliver an early-warning system for the origin and destination of migratory invasive species indicated arrival events of air currents potentially carrying migrating diamondback moths from more southerly regions.  Access the Weekly Wind Trajectory Report (released June 8, 2020) to review where wind trajectories originating over Mexico, California, Texas or the Pacific Northwest cross locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of diamondback moth is improved through the use of pheromone-baited delta traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  As they become available, moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are linked here. Check these sites to assess cumulative counts and relative risk in your geographic region.

Monitoring:
Remove the plants in an area measuring 0.1 m² (about 12" square), beat them on to a clean surface and count the number of larvae (Fig. 1) dislodged from the plant. Repeat this procedure at least in five locations in the field to get an accurate count.

Figure 1. Diamondback larva measuring ~8 mm long.
Note brown head capsule and forked appearance of prolegs on posterior.

Figure 2. Diamondback moth pupa within silken cocoon.

Economic threshold for diamondback moth in canola at the advanced pod stage is 20 to 30 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 2-3 larvae per plant).  Economic thresholds for canola or mustard in the early flowering stage are not available. However, insecticide applications are likely required at larval densities of 10 to 15 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 1-2 larvae per plant).

Figure 3. Diamondback moth.

Biological and monitoring information for DBM is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.  

More information about Diamondback moths can be found by accessing the pages from the  "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Field Guide".  View ONLY the Diamondback moth page but remember the guide is available as a free downloadable document as both an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Bertha armyworm monitoring

Bertha armyworm (Lepidoptera: Mamestra configurata) - This week, a pest alert related to the imminent emergence and flight of this season's moths was released.  Portions of that alert have been repeated below.

Based on weather conditions up to May 31, 2020, and model output, BAW adults may begin to emerge by mid June so traps in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan should be deployed in the next 7 to 10 days (Table 1; Fig. 1). Trap deployment in the Peace River region should occur approximately 10 days later (Table 1; Fig. 1).


Table 1. The estimated date on which bertha armyworm pupae will have completed 80% of pupal development and when adult moths are expected to begin emerging at six locations across western Canada.

Figure 1. Predicted bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) pupal development across the Canadian prairies projected to June 8, 2020. 

Over the next weeks, watch your provincial monitoring networks who will weekly compile cumulative pheromone-baited traps in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

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.  Review the 2019 Insect of the Week which featured bertha armyworm and its doppelganger, the clover cutworm!

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

Diamondback moth

Diamondback moth (Plutellidae: Plutella xylostella) - Once diamondback moth is present in the area, it is important to monitor individual canola fields for larvae.  Warm growing conditions can quickly translate into multiple generations in a very short period!

Wind Trajectory Updates - Wind trajectory models used to deliver an early-warning system for the origin and destination of migratory invasive species indicated arrival events of air currents potentially carrying migrating diamondback moths from more southerly regions.  Access the Weekly Wind Trajectory Report (released June 1, 2020) to review where wind trajectories originating over Mexico, California, Texas or the Pacific Northwest cross locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Weekly Pheromone-baited Trapping Results - Early season detection of diamondback moth is improved through the use of pheromone-baited delta traps deployed in fields across the Canadian prairies.  As they become available, moth reporting numbers observed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will be linked here.

Monitoring:
Remove the plants in an area measuring 0.1 m² (about 12" square), beat them on to a clean surface and count the number of larvae (Fig. 1) dislodged from the plant. Repeat this procedure at least in five locations in the field to get an accurate count.

Figure 1. Diamondback larva measuring ~8 mm long.
Note brown head capsule and forked appearance of prolegs on posterior.

Figure 2. Diamondback moth pupa within silken cocoon.

Economic threshold for diamondback moth in canola at the advanced pod stage is 20 to 30 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 2-3 larvae per plant).  Economic thresholds for canola or mustard in the early flowering stage are not available. However, insecticide applications are likely required at larval densities of 10 to 15 larvae/ 0.1 m² (approximately 1-2 larvae per plant).

Figure 3. Diamondback moth.

Biological and monitoring information for DBM is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.  

More information about Diamondback moths can be found by accessing the pages from the  "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and Field Guide".  View ONLY the Diamondback moth page but remember the guide is available as a free downloadable document as both an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.