David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu
Seedcorn Maggot Update
We will reach peak predicted first generation fly emergence from the soil in Georgetown this weekend or early next week. I time seed treatment evaluation tests around these peak degree days to achieve maximum maggot pressure on seed treatments. We have a field that had a good stand of Austrian winter peas tilled under and chicken manure incorporated to bring in the overwintering flies in March. Now we are going to cultivate the field prior to planting. Next week, vegetable fields with organic matter tilled in and planted within 3 weeks should have an insecticidal seed treatment.
Corn and Soybean
Continue scouting for early slug injury. While temperatures are favorable to slugs, windy conditions and drying conditions are not. Any practice that disturbs soil or favors faster germination and emergence will help reduce the amount of time slugs have to feed on the seedling. Two of the fields we have been sampling was tilled in the fall and we have seen very little slug activity in them. Fields without tillage of any sort, and fields with a history of slug problems and fields with cover crops in them should be examined regularly.
Early Season Moth Trapping
Many thanks to Joanne Whalen for assisting with trapping efforts. Somewhat moderately high populations of true armyworm continue to be detected in the Harrington and Smyrna area while remaining traps have quite low populations.
| Location | # of Nights | Total Catch | |
| TAW | BCW | ||
| Willards, MD | 7 | 9 | 19 |
| Laurel, DE | — | — | |
| Seaford, DE | 7 | 37 | 23 |
| Sudlersville, MD | 6 | 2 | 16 |
| Harrington, DE | 7 | 201 | 30 |
| Smyrna, DE | 7 | 204 | 24 |
| Middletown, DE | — | — | |