Delta Center Entomology Project
Dr. Michael L. Boyd, Extension / Research Entomologist
The 2004 field season has been an interesting one thus far for
insect pests in southeast Missouri. We are still collecting data or
just starting certain projects; therefore, we are unable to submit
many results as of July the 15th.
Controlled Ambient Aeration as a Pest Management Strategy in
Stored Rice: This USDA-funded project was started in 2002 and
will be completed this year. Because of the uncertain about the
future availability of insecticides, alternative non-chemical means
(i.e. controlled aeration) has been investigated to control stored
grain pests. A series of workshops will be held this fall to
discuss these findings, and Missouri's meeting is scheduled for
October 26th at the Dexter Eagle's Club.
COTMAN Insecticide Termination Study: In 2003 field plots
were established at the Delta Center Lee Research Farm for a Cotton
Incorporated-funded project to evaluate the COTMAN plant monitoring
program; however, flooding damaged our research plots and we were
unable to complete this project. Plots have been reestablished to
evaluate the optimal time to terminate late-season insecticide
applications in Missouri.
Field Crops Insect Survey: We continue to expand the network
of pheromone-baited traps for monitoring various moth populations of
several crop pests (ex. bollworm, Southwestern corn borer) in
southeast Missouri. Trap counts are available in the Southeast
Missouri Pest Bulletin newsletter.
Chemigation Control of Piercing-Sucking Pests (ex. Plant Bugs) in
Cotton: This is a cooperative project with Dr. Joe Henggeler
looking at the effectiveness of controlling insects (ex. plant bugs)
with chemigation versus that obtained with ground driven rigs. This
3-year, Cotton Incorporated-funded project begins in 2004.
Insecticide and Bt-cotton Field Trials: This research is
being conducted to evaluate the performance of insecticides and Bt
cotton against different crop pests. This information can then be
used to help growers to decide on the appropriate pest management
program.
Early-season pest (e.g. thrips) control
Plant bug and bollworm control in cotton
Sink bug control in soybeans
Publications: A new MU insect guidesheet (G7115) on the
armyworm complex in Missouri was published this spring, and the new
MU cotton scouting manual will be available this fall.
Acknowledgments: I wish to express my thanks for all the help
provided by my excellent crew: Barry Dennison, Bree Pearson,
Victoria Sample, and Luella Tubbs. I also wish to recognize those
for their trapping contributions. Thanks to the other project
leaders for their assistance. I greatly appreciate the financial
and material support of the various companies so we can continue
testing their products in the field. Finally, I want to thank
Mr. Jake Fisher and his staff for their help.
2004 Field Day Report
