John Frederick Doane (14 April 1930 – 21 May 2020)

In memory 

John Frederick Doane quietly passed away on May 21, 2020, in his home in Saskatoon, at the age of 90 years.  Having grown up on a farm north of Toronto, John developed an interest in entomology at a young age, and began collecting insect specimens common to southern Ontario.  John received his B.S.A. in 1954 from the Ontario Agricultural College, now the University of Guelph; specializing in entomology.  Pursuing these interests, John immediately enrolled in graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, completing both his M.Sc. (1956) and his Ph.D. (1958).  Shortly after graduating, he began a research career in agricultural entomology, receiving an Research Scientist position at the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Saskatoon that same year.  Interestingly, this cadre of  Research Scientists at the Centre still had a significant number of first generation entomologists appointed to the Dominion Entomological Laboratory at Saskatoon.

John Frederick Doane (14 April 1930 - 21 May 2020)
Photo taken July 2019

John adapted very quickly to the agricultural industry on the prairies, and his research over the years has significantly contributed to insect population monitoring.  His first research assignment was to assess and describe the ecology and behaviour of wireworms, a major pest of field crops at the time.  John began by investigating the ovipositional behaviour and fecundity of adults, as well as the effects of soil moisture and temperature on wireworm egg survival.  His studies, related to the response of wireworm larvae to carbon dioxide levels, contributed to the development of trapping and monitoring tools for larval populations.  In the early 1980s, Saskatchewan experienced an unexpected outbreak of wheat midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana).  John was asked to assemble a multidisciplinary research team with the objectives to determine the biology and ecology of this new threat to wheat production in the prairies.  His research promptly yielded important contributions: (i) the discovery of a significant biological control insect (Macroglenes penetrans), and (ii) the development of a sound wheat midge population monitoring protocol.  Through the successful implementation of conservation techniques, M. penetrans now controls an average of >30% of the wheat midge across Saskatchewan annually.  A study in the 1990s, showed that the dollar value of the parasitoid to the agriculture industry over the 10 years, was in excess of $248.3 million (equivalent of $422.5 million today).  The second highlight, a soil extraction protocol for wheat midge larval cocoons, provided a unique population density and distribution monitoring tool for both the pest wheat midge and it’s biological control agent.  This tool is still utilized today to forecast the risk to wheat production; the survey results being provided as mapped forecasts for producers on an annual basis.  Given the success of biological control agent (M. penetrans), John collaborated with international colleagues at CABI in Switzerland, to assess the viability of importing a second biocontrol agent for control of wheat midge.  This resulted in the successful introduction and establishment of Platygaster tuberosula.  In the late 1980s, wheat production south of the USA border was seriously threatened by Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia).  In response to this new threat, John manufactured and installed a series of suction traps as an early-warning system, from southern to northern Saskatchewan.  The 30ft high traps were designed to collect migratory aphid adults being transported north on wind currents from infestations in the USA.  The results indicated that southwest SK was occasionally at low risk, but the threat was significantly less than south of the border.

John was appointed Head of the Integrated Pest Management Section of the Saskatoon Research Station in 1982, and the Head of the amalgamated Cereals Protection Section in 1989.  John served as E.S.S. President in 1967 and 1978, and served a term as a member of the E.S.C.  Governing Board.  He will also be remembered as a founding  member of the national AAFC Biological Control Working Group, a group that is still very active in 2020.  He retired in 1993, taking an extended self-guided tour of south east Asia, including India and Malaysia.  Upon his return, John remained active in retirement, co-authoring several scientific articles, most recently a bio-climate modelling paper on wheat midge in 2020.

- Submitted by O. Olfert

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - As of June 14, 2020, cereal leaf beetle (CLB) simulations indicate that oviposition is almost complete with 30% of the population in the egg stage (Table 1).  

Table 1. Predictive model output estimates for O. melanopus development (% of total population for each location) at selected sites across the Canadian prairies (as of June 14, 2020).

Across the prairies, first instar larvae are predicted to be most abundant (prairie average; Fig. 1).  This week, fourth instar larvae may begin to occur.  The following three maps illustrate larval development of first (Fig. 1), second (Fig. 2) and third instar (Fig. 3) stages across the prairies. Based on the simulation, development is greatest across southern Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan.

Figure 2. Predicted percent of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) population at first instar stage across the Canadian prairies (as of June 14, 2020).  

Figure 3. Predicted percent of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) population at second instar stage across the Canadian prairies (as of June 14, 2020).  

Figure 4. Predicted percent of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) population at third instar stage across the Canadian prairies (as of June 14, 2020).  

Manitobans - Dr. John Gavloski is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season to determine their range across Manitoba, their population density, and the rate at which larvae are parasitized. Please contact John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca or @JohnTheBugGuy if you observe cereal leaf beetles in your fields. 

Canadians - Dr. Haley Catton is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season too!  Help her monitor for the tiny beneficial wasp, Tetrastichus julis, that lives inside the larvae of cereal leaf beetle.  Tracking these biological control agents will help Dr. Catton learn more about their distribution and value in fields.  Please check her Twitter poster for more details or contact her at @HaleyCatton or Haley.Catton@canada.ca . Access the recently released Pests & Predators podcast by Real Agriculture which features Dr. Haley Catton and this powerful parasitoid!

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 3). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 3. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 4).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 4.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The CLB simulation model will be used to monitor this insect pest's development across the prairies. Weekly temperature data collected across the prairies is incorporated into the simulation model which calculates estimates of development stages based on biological parameters for this species. 

As of June 7, 2020, cereal leaf beetle (CLB) simulations indicate that oviposition continues and that 42% of the population is currently in the egg stage (Table 1).  Larvae are predicted to be in first, second and third instars (Table 1). The graph for Regina illustrates occurrence of first, second and third instar larvae (Fig. 1). The second graph demonstrates that development is slower around Grande Prairie (Fig. 2). 

Table 1. Predictive model output estimates for O. melanopus development (% of total population for each location) at selected sites across the Canadian prairies (as of June 7, 2020).

Figure 1. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Regina SK.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-June 7, 2020).

Figure 2. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Grande Prairie AB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-June 7, 2020).

Manitobans - Dr. John Gavloski is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season to determine their range across Manitoba, their population density, and the rate at which larvae are parasitized. Please contact John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca or @JohnTheBugGuy if you observe cereal leaf beetles in your fields. 

Canadians - Dr. Haley Catton is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season too!  Help her monitor for the tiny beneficial wasp, Tetrastichus julis, that lives inside the larvae of cereal leaf beetle.  Tracking these biological control agents will help Dr. Catton learn more about their distribution and value in fields.  Please check her Twitter poster for more details or contact her at @HaleyCatton or Haley.Catton@canada.ca . Access the recently released Pests & Predators podcast by Real Agriculture which features Dr. Haley Catton and this powerful parasitoid!

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 3). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 3. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 4).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 4.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The CLB simulation model will be used to monitor this insect pest's development across the prairies. Weekly temperature data collected across the prairies is incorporated into the simulation model which calculates estimates of development stages based on biological parameters for this species. 

As of May 31, 2020, simulations for cereal leaf beetle (CLB) development indicate that oviposition continues and that first instar larvae are beginning to appear (Table 1). The graph for Saskatoon illustrates occurrence of first instar larvae (Fig. 1). The second graph demonstrates that development is slower at Lethbridge (Fig. 2) compared to Saskatoon. 

Table 1. Predictive model output estimates for O. melanopus at selected sites across the Canadian prairies (as of May 31, 2020).

Figure 1. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Saskatoon SK.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 31, 2020).

Figure 2. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Lethbridge AB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 31, 2020).

Manitobans - Dr. John Gavloski is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season to determine their range across Manitoba, their population density, and the rate at which larvae are parasitized. Please contact John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca or @JohnTheBugGuy if you observe cereal leaf beetles in your fields. 

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 4). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 4. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 5).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 5.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The CLB simulation model will be used to monitor this insect pest's development across the prairies. Weekly temperature data collected across the prairies is incorporated into the simulation model which calculates estimates of development stages based on biological parameters for this species.  

As of May 25, 2020, CLB simulations indicate that oviposition continues and that first instar larvae are beginning to appear (Table 1).  The graph for Winnipeg illustrates occurrence of 1st instar larvae (Fig. 1).

Table 1. Predictive model output estimates for O. melanopus at selected sites across the Canadian prairies (as of May 25, 2020).

Figure 1. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Winnipeg MB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 25, 2020).

Manitobans - Dr. John Gavloski is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season to determine their range across Manitoba, their population density, and the rate at which larvae are parasitized. Please contact John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca or @JohnTheBugGuy if you observe cereal leaf beetles in your fields. 

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 4). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 4. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 5).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 5.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The CLB simulation model will be used to monitor this insect pest's development across the prairies. Weekly temperature data collected across the prairies is incorporated into the simulation model which calculates estimates of development stages based on biological parameters for this species.  

The cereal leaf beetle (CLB) model indicates that oviposition is well underway (Fig. 1 and 2). First instar larvae should be appearing within the next 7-10 days.

Figure 1. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Lethbridge AB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 18, 2020).

Figure 2. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Winnipeg MB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 18, 2020).

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 4). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 4. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 5).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 5.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

NEW for Manitobans - Dr. John Gavloski is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season to determine their range across Manitoba, their population density, and the rate at which larvae are parasitized. Please contact John (John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca) or @JohnTheBugGuy if you observe cereal leaf beetles in your fields. 

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The cereal leaf beetle model indicates that overwintered adults are active and  oviposition is underway across the prairies. The graphs provide a comparison of development for  Brandon (Fig. 1) and Lethbridge (Fig. 2). Reproductive adults appeared earlier in southern AB, resulting in earlier oviposition.

Figure 1. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Brandon MB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 11, 2020).

Figure 2. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Lethbridge AB.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 11, 2020).

NEW for Manitobans - Dr. John Gavloski is looking for samples of cereal leaf beetle larvae this growing season to determine their range across Manitoba, their population density, and the rate at which larvae are parasitized. Please contact John (John.Gavloski@gov.mb.ca) or @JohnTheBugGuy if you observe cereal leaf beetles in your fields. 

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The CLB simulation model will be used to monitor this insect pest's development across the prairies. Weekly temperature data collected across the prairies is incorporated into the simulation model which calculates estimates of development stages based on biological parameters for this species.  

As of May 4, 2020, the cereal leaf beetle model indicates that overwintered adults are active and  oviposition is underway across the prairies. The graphs provide a comparison of development for Swift Current (Fig. 1) and Saskatoon (Fig. 2). Reproductive adults appeared earlier in southern Saskatchewan, resulting in earlier oviposition.

Figure 1. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Saskatoon SK.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 4, 2020).

Figure 2. Predicted cereal leaf beetle phenology at Swift Current SK.
Values are based on model simulations (April 1-May 4, 2020).

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 3). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 3. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 4).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 4.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The CLB simulation model will be used to monitor this insect pest's development across the prairies. Weekly temperature data collected across the prairies is incorporated into the simulation model which calculates estimates of development stages based on biological parameters for this species.  

As of April 26, 2020....Stay tuned - phenology models will be reposted.

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 4). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 4. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 5).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 5.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide" available as a free downloadable document in either an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.

Cereal leaf beetle (June 6, 2019; Wk 09)

Cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) - The cereal leaf beetle model indicates hatch has begun (Fig. 1).  Models were projected to June 21, 2019 and run for Lethbridge AB (Fig. 2), Grande Prairie AB (Fig. 3), and Brandon MB (Fig. 4). 

Figure 1.  Percent of populations of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) in the larval stage as
of June 3, 2019, across the Canadian prairies. 

Figure 2. Predicted status of cereal leaf beetle populations near Lethbridge AB projected to June 21, 2019, generated using long term average temperatures.

Figure 3. Predicted status of cereal leaf beetle populations near Grande Prairie AB projected to June 21, 2019, generated using long term average temperatures.

Figure 4. Predicted status of cereal leaf beetle populations near Brandon MB projected to June 21, 2019, generated using long term average temperatures.

Lifecycle and Damage:

Adult: Adult cereal leaf beetles (CLB) have shiny bluish-black wing-covers (Fig. 5). The thorax and legs are light orange-brown. Females (4.9 to 5.5 mm) are slightly larger than the males (4.4 to 5 mm). Adult beetles overwinter in and along the margins of grain fields in protected places such as in straw stubble, under crop and leaf litter, and in the crevices of tree bark. They favour sites adjacent to shelter belts, deciduous and conifer forests. They emerge in the spring once temperature reaches 10-15 ºC and are active for about 6 weeks. They usually begin feeding on grasses, then move into winter cereals and later into spring cereals.  

Figure 5. Adult Oulema melanopus measure 4.4-5.5 mm long (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Egg: Eggs are laid approximately 14 days following the emergence of the adults. Eggs are laid singly or in pairs along the mid vein on the upper side of the leaf and are cylindrical, measuring 0.9 mm by 0.4 mm, and yellowish in colour. Eggs darken to black just before hatching.  

Larva: The larvae hatch in about 5 days and feed for about 3 weeks, passing through 4 growth stages (instars). The head and legs are brownish-black; the body is yellowish. Larvae are usually covered with a secretion of mucus and fecal material, giving them a shiny black, wet appearance (Fig. 6).  When the larva completes its growth, it drops to the ground and pupates in the soil. 

Figure 6.  Larval stage of Oulema melanopus with characteristic feeding 
damage visible on leaf (Photo: M. Dolinski).

Pupa: Pupal colour varies from a bright yellow when it is first formed, to the colour of the adult just before emergence. The pupal stage lasts 2 - 3 weeks. Adult beetles emerge and feed for a couple of weeks before seeking overwintering sites. There is one generation per year.

Fact sheets for CLB are published by the province of Alberta and available from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also access the Oulema melanopus page from the new "Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in western Canada - Identification and management field guide".