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Articles by John Obermeyer
Purdue Extension's 'Featured Creature': The Wheel Bug
This season’s extended fall has allowed many plants and insects remain growing and active. Although, I don’t appreciate the Asian lady beetles and boxelder bugs congregating on my white, sided house to find entry for the winter. However, one awesome sight is the wheel bug on the hunt for one last meal before the freeze. The wheel bug, Arilus cristatus, are predators of other insects. Both the immature (nymph) and adults lurk among foliage and flowers waiting for unsuspecting prey.
Black Cutworm Damage Reported in Soybean and Sweet Corn
by Purdue University News Service | May 19, 2023 | Indiana Agriculture News, News Feed Range of soybean damage by black cutworm. (Photo Credit: Dan Emmert) The “landing spots” for the many black cutworm moths into the state are now being realized. Another encouragement to scout high-risk corn and soybean fields as they emerge. Black cutworm larvae, some near pupation, were reported cutting soybean seedlings in Southwest Indiana.
What Leads To A Black Cutworm Infestation?
Black cutworm 2nd and 3rd instar larvae on a penny. 3rd instar, and larger, larvae can leaf feed on corn seedlings and begin cutting. Photo courtesy of Purdue Extension. Many factors (many of them unpredictable) determine an insect outbreak. As we take the wait-and-see approach toward planting and subsequent insect infestations, lets discuss a few of the variables: Insect dispersal is the phenomenon by which insects move from one place to another.
Indiana: Fall Armyworm Outbreaks Possible In Late-Planted, Fall Crops
Fall armyworm. Photo: Jim Kalisch, University of Nebraska-Lincoln In recent weeks, fall armyworm infestations have been decimating some soybean and forage crops in Kentucky. The University of Kentucky Extension Entomologists, recently reported large FAW moth captures. This likely occurred in southern Indiana counties as well, although we have no reports of this to cite.
Western Bean Cutworm Flight Increases, Scouting More Difficult Post-Whorl
The western bean cutworm (WBC) trapping season continues, and after a slow start, moth flights have increased slightly in many northern Indiana county traps this summer. With hot temperatures continuing, egg development and hatch will happen in less than a week after they are first placed by females. This will give little time for egg scouting, and unfortunately larval scouting is far more difficult, time-consuming and less reliable.
Indiana Soybeans: Moisture Stress and Spider Mite Concerns
Some areas of Indiana remain very dry and concerns of spider mites moving into fields from parched field/road sides increase. The symptoms will almost always be noted first at field edges. Discerning the subtle yellowing of the foliage in stressed areas should be followed up with immediate scouting.
How Stink Bugs Cause Whorl Damage In Corn
Home Hoosier Ag News How Stink Bugs Cause Whorl Damage In Corn Reports from those checking cornfields indicate that brown stink bugs had been busy earlier feeding on seedlings and currently within whorls. Damaged plants, stunted and/or leaves with holes and yellow striping, are quite obvious during the whorl stage. The stink bug problems are worse in heavy-residue fields where corn was planted into soils not suitable for good seed-slot closure.
Armyworm Moth Captures Varied, Larval Activity Soon to be Detected
Over the past seven weeks, armyworm moth captures at the Purdue Ag Research Centers have been variable, certainly not eye-popping! This happens most years, as do localized outbreaks. It is a reminder to conduct timely scouting in high-risk fields when the larvae are actively feeding, mid to later May. The increased popularity of cereal rye as a cover crop presents new opportunities for egg-laying females to find attractive food sources.
Black Cutworm Moths Keep Coming, Scout High-Risk Seedling Corn Soon
Could this be a cutworm year? Black cutworm moth catches in many of our cooperator’s pheromone traps continue to be quite impressive. The timing of intensive moth captures, (i.e. 9 or more moths caught over a 2-night period), over the past several weeks and subsequent larval development may challenge corn that has yet to be planted. This will be especially true for fields with abundant weeds (esp. chickweed) because of delayed weed control.
Fall Armyworm Problematic In Late Growing Crops
Reports of denuded forage crops, especially alfalfa, from large numbers of fall armyworm have been shared from throughout Kentucky and southern counties of Indiana and Illinois. This is not a total surprise – see Pest&Crop article from August 6, 2021 HERE concerning the large moth captures and early damage reports in Kentucky. Female moths arriving from southern states will seek late-developing crops (i.e., young, tender foliage) in which to lay their eggs.
Indiana Sorghum: Sugarcane Aphid Reported In Southern Counties
The sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari), a relatively new pest of grain sorghum, forage sorghums, sudangrass, sorghum-sudangrass hybrids and Johnson grass, first detected in Indiana in 2016, is making its presence known primarily in southcentral and southwestern counties. Indiana is at the northern edge of its current range, so it is currently not a widespread or serious pest, but it is worth paying attention to for growers in the southern part of the state.
Indiana: Soybean’s Wet Feet - Recovery or Rescue?
Flooded soybean rows. Photo: Kerry Rodtnick, University of Arkansas Early in June we were discussing the possibility of drought intensifying causing issues with stand establishment and early rooting and nodule development. However, we caught enough spotty showers to get through that brief scare.
Indiana Corn: Switching To Hybrids Without Rootworm Protection For Late Planted Crops?
In some parts of the state, delayed planting – or re-planting – of corn is a reality. Some producers may be attempting to switch to shorter day hybrids, including some without desired insect traits, including rootworm-specific Bt traits. What is the rootworm risk, especially to central and northern Indiana fields? Low.
Indiana Soybeans: Seedcorn Maggots Damaging Early-Planted Crops
Seedcorn maggots on soybean seedling. Photo: University of Minnesota Multiple samples of seedcorn maggot damaged soybean seedlings have been submitted to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab. These damaged seedlings survived the recent snow and freezing temperatures, but not this early season soil pest! Remember that the adult female flies are attracted by rotting organic matter, this gives some clue about where infestations will be severe.
Moth Trap Captures “Springing” Up, Currently Other “Worms” Being Found
By John Obermeyer and Christian Krupke Purdue University Extension It seems that the freezing temperatures, and snow, of just over two weeks ago has spurred an increase in the black cutworm and armyworm moth activity, see the accompanying pheromone trap captures. The dramatic swings in temperatures we have had are an annoyance to us, but to an insect dependent on heat accumulations for development, it may be the difference between minor damage to a wide-spread outbreak.
Indiana Soybeans: Bean Leaf Beetle Feeding In Late-Maturing Crops - Video
Indiana Soybeans: Bean Leaf Beetle Feeding In Late-Maturing Crops – Video September 4, 2020 By Christian Krupke and John Obermeyer, Purdue University Extension Specialists Bean Leaf Beetle chewing on soybean leaf. Photo: Winston Beck, Iowa State University The following video addresses bean leaf beetle identification, biology, and late-season damage to soybean while keeping the marketable portion of the crop foremost in mind.
Indiana Corn: Scout Pollen Heavy Areas for Rootworm Beetles
Western corn rootworm beetle feeding on pigweed pollen. Photo: Purdue University Much of the corn has pollinated throughout the state, but there are the late-planted fields that have yet to do so. Those are the fields that potentially act as a “trap crop” for various insect pests as they look for an excellent protein source…pollen. One particular insect, known by some producers as silk beetles, is the western corn rootworm beetle.
Planting Green? Look Out for Grasshoppers
By John Obermeyer and Christian Krupke Reports of grasshoppers within fields have been received. The pictures and videos included with the emails showed numerous grasshopper nymphs severely defoliating soybean that were planted into a standing cereal rye cover crop. The soybean plants were delayed in growth, as they were shaded by the dying rye. Grasshoppers, as the name suggests, love feeding on a range of grasses but are certainly not limited to this group of plants.
Indiana Corn: When Is Lodging Caused by Rootworm Feeding? - Video
Leaning corn plants from sever lodging. Photo: Purdue University With the recent heavy rains and winds in many parts of the state, it seems like a good time to talk about corn lodging. Corn lodging, during rapid vegetative growth and often just before pollination, is not a welcome sight. Unsurprisingly, it generally follows a storm front that has moved through the area…leading to spotty but striking damage on some farms.
Indiana Soybeans: Armyworm Feeding After Cover Crop Termination
Armyworm in soybeans seeking a grass plant to feed on. Photo: Purdue University Armyworm primarily feed on grasses. As seen in the past, and now being reported this spring, they will feed on no-tilled soybean into a cereal rye cover crop. Weeks ago, armyworm moths were attracted to laying eggs on grasses, in which the hatched larvae were quite content on feeding.
Indiana Soybeans: Assessing Freeze Damage To Seedlings - Video
Freeze damaged soybean seedlings. Photo: Ohio State University When a freeze occurs early in the spring after soybean fields have been planted, damage is dependent on many variables, especially the growth stage. Damage is possible to soybean not yet emerged from the soil, but one should probably wait 2 weeks before an assessment is made. The more immediate concern are the plants that had already emerged with hypocotyl and growing point exposed to freezing temperatures.
Indiana Corn, Soybeans: Still Too Early For Black Cutworm
Black cutworm larvae. Photo: J. Obermeyer, Perdue University We have been impressed with the number of black cutworm moths captured by our pheromone trap cooperators. Though we are wary of the potential impact these larvae could have on the slow emerging corn crop, we know that heat units for insect development have been slow in coming during this cool spring. Many cutworm species look alike and identification is often confusing.
Indiana Soybeans: Green Stink Bugs Demand Attention
Soybeans damaged by multiple factors. Photo: Purdue University With this season’s planting delays, soybean growth stages are anywhere from beginning pod development to near maturity. For the last couple of years, especially last season, we have seen noticeable populations of green stink bug in some Indiana soybean fields. Both green stink bug adults and nymphs feed, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts. They cause injury to soybean by puncturing pods and sucking fluid from the developing beans.
Indiana Soybeans: Watch for These Late Season Caterpillars
Thistle caterpillar in soybeans. Photo by Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University The painted lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui, is mostly orange mottled with black and white markings. This is a migratory species flying from and to Mexico and the Southwestern United States in the spring and fall. Adults arrive in Indiana in the spring and lay their eggs on several species of plants. Although they feed on many weed species, their preferred host is Canada thistle.
Indiana Corn: European Corn Borer - Scout Tall, Unprotected Crops
European corn borer feeding damage. Photo: Ohio State University Gary Kauffman, a northern Indiana crop consultant, shared with me his observation of European corn borer moth activity this past week. Certainly, these moths have been emerging and actively mating/egg laying throughout the state. The female moths are attracted to many hosts, tall, early lush corn being one. As I drive through the countryside, there are a few islands of corn that match this description.
Indiana Corn, Soybeans: Delayed Planting Considerations - Videos
Indiana Corn, Soybeans: Delayed Planting Considerations – Videos June 7, 2019 By John Obermeyer, Purdue University Extension Specialist Planting soybeans. Photo: University of Minnesota Though we have had significant planting progress with a brief respite in rain, showers are once again returning to the state.
Indiana: Should Insecticide Be Included With Burn-Down This Spring?
Highboy spraying pre-emerge or burndown herbicide. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Moth flights for both black cutworm and armyworm have been impressive this spring. Unworked/untreated fields are plentiful, and so is the plant life, meaning that there has been no shortage of egg-laying opportunities for these pests.
Indiana Corn: April Showers Bring Black Cutworm
Black cutworm larva. Photo: Michigan State University As I write this, spotty showers are moving through the state. At this time of the year, my interest is where those fronts are moving from. Strong fronts, especially from the southwestern part of the country, pickup and carry winged insects into the Midwest, most notably black cutworm. It is still believed that this pest, of many plants, does not over-winter in the Corn Belt, but rather arrives on these storms and literally “rains” moths.
Indiana Soybeans: Discolored, Shriveled Seeds - Who Done It?
Combines are rolling and wagons of grain are heading for dryers and storage. Already, questions have been received about soybean seed observed to be shrunken and/or discolored. Too, we typically get samples through the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab during harvest of seeds and asked to determine, which, if any, insect pest caused the damage. Bottom line…we need unharvested, damaged pods with the sample.
Indiana Corn: Distinguishing the Worms in Your Ears
Indiana Corn: Distinguishing the Worms in Your Ears Posted on August 3, 2018 By John Obermeyer, Purdue University Several caterpillars in the ear can be very similar in appearance and habits, so identification to species of some of the worms in ears can be tricky. Note that, in general, you cannot use overall body color or damage for identification. Some identification tips, though not foolproof, appear below for the corn earworm, western bean cutworm, fall armyworm and European corn borer.
Indiana Soybeans: Moisture Stress and Spider Mites
Is this field yellowing from spider mite feeding, only one way to find out! Photo: Purdue University As some areas of Indiana are dry getting drier, there is more concern about the possibility about spider mites being a culprit for yellowing foliage. Remember that many other factors can cause plants to yellow (nutrient deficiencies, soybean cyst nematode, disease, lack of moisture, compaction, herbicide damage, etc.).
Indiana Soybeans: Banner Year for Japanese and Green June Beetles
Frustrations have been expressed about the numbers of Japanese beetles and their soybean defoliation this season. This compounds the weather woes that soybean has endured, i.e., too wet, too dry, too hot, yellowing from nutrient deficiencies, and the herbicides seemingly torching them. I guess the added Japanese beetle defoliation has been the breaking point for some and have resorted to “spray therapy” before treatment thresholds have been reached (see last week’s Pest&Crop).
Indiana Corn, Soybeans: Japanese Beetle Not as Bad as It Appears
News flash … Japanese beetle are emerging and can be seen throughout the state on corn and soybean plants. OK, not that news worthy. How about … some areas of state are seeing tremendous numbers of beetles while some areas report low populations. Again, old news, as this happens every year. Here is a headline sure to grab attention … Japanese beetle – their presence and damage is usually perceived worse than it is. Please refer to the following treatment thresholds.
Indiana Corn: Rootworms Still a Threat - One Grower Finds Out the Hard Way
This past week we learned of a producer in a northwestern Indiana county that gambled by not protecting his continuous-corn from rootworm. It was a “money saving” decision, as traited Bt-RW corn or soil insecticides were input costs he decided to forgo. As you can see from the accompanying pictures, it was a mistake. It is true that western corn rootworm have been at very low levels the past several years.
Indiana Corn, Soybeans: Japanese Beetle Season Begins Early
Locally, we found Japanese beetle adults on Monday, June 11, in field crops and flying around campus. This is certainly earlier than normal, as we typically think of them emerging more toward the end of June. Many areas in the state are now likely seeing this notorious pest in crops and around the home. It is just the beginning! Not surprising, as our May degree day accumulations were 50-60% above our long-term averages for the month.
Indiana Corn: Asiatic Garden Beetle Damage Reported
Grubs of the Asiatic garden beetle have been recently found damaging corn seedlings in northern Indiana counties. As noted in the past, their presence and damage is highly associated with light-textured (i.e. sandy) soils, and is generally most prevalent in corn following soybean. For the first time, we have documented damage in northern Wabash County, near North Manchester. A reminder that there are no “rescue treatments” for this pest.
Indiana Corn: Scout Fields for Armyworms
Armyworm moth captures have varied throughout the state. As I observed last week in Tippecanoe County, when larvae are small, their damage is negligible and easily overlooked. Now, and for the next week or so, is when high-risk crops should be monitored. Moths prefer to lay their eggs on dense grassy vegetation (e.g., wheat, grass hay, and grass cover crops).
Japanese beetle emerging, the impact to crops is usually minimal
Japanese beetle adults are emerging throughout Indiana, seemingly spurred on overnight by the much needed rains last week. These adults are the result of eggs that were laid by female beetles last summer. After eggs hatch, the grubs immediately began to feed on roots and decaying organic matter in the soil. They continue their feeding from late summer into the fall. The grubs overwintered several inches deep in the soil and returned to near the soil surface to feed early this spring.
Diagnosing a troubled cornfield
“Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth,” Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is easier said than done when dealing with poorly growing corn in areas of a field. Symptoms often include stunting, discoloration, and leaf rolling. As one begins to investigate, the possibilities seem endless. Still, into our second week of June, some cornfields appear to be “growing backward,” as one producer described it.
Diagnosing a troubled cornfield
“Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth,” Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is easier said than done when dealing with poorly growing corn in areas of a field. Symptoms often include stunting, discoloration, and leaf rolling. As one begins to investigate, the possibilities seem endless. Still, into our second week of June, some cornfields appear to be “growing backward,” as one producer described it.
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