David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu
Alfalfa
Continue scouting for potato leafhopper. We checked a couple of fields at the end of last week but did not see any PLF. However, a vineyard farther north had many on leaves, so they are in the general area
Soybean
Most fields are pretty clean at this point, I am concerned that Kent and New Castle may experience more spider mite activity than usual. We also are starting to approach the time of year to make an herbicide application. We have tested the practice of including a prophylactic insecticide with the herbicide application in more than 12 fields in large strip trials here in Delaware. Generally, none of those trials suggested that an insecticide tank mix would result in a yield response. Many thanks to USDA NIFA and Northeast SARE for funding on-farm strip trial work.