Cereal Pestwatch

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Dow AgroSciences regularly undertake sampling and monitoring for the most important insect pests of cereals in the UK. The studies are carried out in conjunction with ADAS in England. Pestwatch bulletins are prepared from the results and normally issued weekly during the key periods of potential threat from the relevant pest.

Insect Pest	Initial Sampling	Pestwatch Reports
Wheat Bulb fly	January	January/February/March
Saddle Gall Midge NEW FOR 2012!	March - May	March - May
Wheat Blossom midge	April	May/June

 

Subscribing to Dow AgroSciences' Agronomy Update & Pestwatch gives eligibility for 1 Crop Protection BASIS Point annually.  To find out more about this service, please contact our Technical Hotline on 0800 689 8899,  your local Dow AgroSciences representative or E-mail. 

For the most recent Wheat Blossom Midge, Wheat Bulb Fly and Saddle Gall Midge Pestwatch Reports see below.

 

Wheat Bulb Fly

Soil samples are taken during the autumn from sites considered to be at risk, to establish the number of Wheat Bulb fly eggs present. From this survey, fields are selected which have high or very high egg numbers present. Weekly soil sampling is then carried out on these selected fields during January, February and March to monitor egg hatch and then plant invasion. Monitoring sites normally cover a range of soil types from East Anglia and Yorkshire.

Pestwatch reports are produced to reflect weekly data and provide advice on timely application of Dursban WG. The advice provided also indicates when switching to dead-heart sprays would be most appropriate.

 

Wheat Blossom Midge

Soil sampling to establish baseline populations of Wheat Blossom midge is done in April. Representative samples are taken from the key wheat growing areas of England and analysed for the total number of Wheat Blossom midge present. The data also reports the life cycle stage of the midge detected. During baseline sampling most midges are still in the overwintering cocoon stage.

Further soil samples are taken during May and June. The purpose of these samples is to monitor progression through life cycle stages. Suitable weather conditions together with a higher proportion of midge present as pupae in the soil indicate an emergence of adults is imminent. As the situation, and hence potential risk, can change very quickly Pestwatch reports are issued as they are needed throughout May and June.

 

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Get Grain Store Clean Ready for Harvest 2012

1st June 2012

Big investments are made to maximise yields in the field so don’t risk yield losses post-harvest with poor grain store hygiene. Mite and insect infestation in UK stored grain causes annual losses of 5-10% and populations can build rapidly so it is important to take preventative action. Mite and insect feeding results in direct yield losses but can also have a detrimental effect on the quality of stored grain. Grain store pests can affect the nutritional value and act as a source of allergens which can lead to serious gastric problems in feeding animals. Whether intended for milling, malting or feed, infested grain runs the risk of being rejected.

Good ventilation, drying and cooling are important processes in grain store management but pests, in particular mites, can still breed at low temperatures of 5°c. Respiring insects and mites will generate heat and moisture and can cause localised hot spots within the grain pile which further promote breeding and may encourage the development of moulds.

Reldan* 22 is a broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide that will control all major pests of stored grain including Acarus, Lepidoglyphus and Tyrophagus, the three main mite species found in UK grain stores. Reldan 22 is the only pre-harvest grain store treatment effective on these common pests. Once treatments are dry it is safe to tip grain but fabric applications of Reldan 22 should be applied 4 weeks prior to grain filling to allow sufficient time for pests harboured in cracks and crevices to emerge and come into contact with the chemical. Reldan works by fumigation, contact and ingestion and offers protection for up to 6 months against mite and insect infestation. There is no withholding period for grain subsequently stored on those premises.

Pre-Harvest Action Plan:

Grain store fabric treatment using Reldan 22 should be used as part of an integrated management approach:

1. Ensure grain store is emptied of any old grain and debris
   • Apply the same principles to grain handling equipment
2. Sweep (or use a high pressure airline) grain store paying close attention to crevices
   • Ensure sweepings are disposed of well away from grain store sites or ideally, burn them
   • Wear appropriate PPE including a dust mask
     
3. Apply Reldan 22 at 200ml in 5 Litres of water per 100 m2 up to 4 weeks before harvest via a knapsack, motorised knapsack or tractor-operated spray lance.
   • For best practice ensure good ventilation during application and wear a face mask fitted with an activated charcoal filter.

FAQs

Can I apply Reldan 22 to stores intended for oilseeds?
Reldan 22 can only be used for grain store premises intended for wheat, barley, oats, rye and triticale storage. Similarly, admixture applications can only be made to these qualifying cereals.

Can I apply Reldan 22 directly to the grain for long-term storage?
Reldan 22 is approved for use as a grain admixture. Treatments should be made via a suitable applicator to grain that has been dried (or is below 14% mc), cooled and cleaned. After treatment, grain should not be processed for 90 days so direct grain treatment is most suitable for grain intended for long-term storage.

Can I use Reldan 22 on grain intended for malting and brewing?
Yes, Reldan 22 is accepted by the BBPA and the BRI for use on grain intended for malting or brewing

For more detailed support literature on Reldan 22, please visit our website.

If you require any further information please contact our technical Hotline – 0800 689 8899, email UKHotline@dow.com, or contact your local Dow AgroSciences representative.

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

*Reldan is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist.
Reldan 22 contains chlorpyrifos-methyl.

 

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WHEAT BLOSSOM MIDGE 

19th June 2012

The warm, still evenings of Sunday 17th and Monday 18th June have resulted in reports of OWBM adults at threshold levels in Louth and Holbeach, Lincolnshire and in Cambridgeshire.

With the short-term forecast being favourable for OWBM flight monitor crops at susceptible growth stages closely. Later winter wheats and spring wheat may still be at susceptible growth stages.

Action:

The economic risk is highest in crops intended for seed or milling. This is reflected in the lower threshold of one Orange Wheat Blossom midge per 6 ears. The threshold for feed wheat is one midge per 3 ears.

Be prepared to apply Dursban* WG at 0.6 kg/ha in 200 to 1000 litres of water per hectare if thresholds are met or exceeded.

Spray between ear emergence and the start of flowering (Zadoks 51-59) to control developing larvae. If justified treatment should commence once the majority of ears have emerged. Ears not emerged at the time of treatment will not be protected.

Dursban WG is a very effective insecticide. Benefits include the ability to give
• High knockdown of adult midges
• Effective activity of 7 -10 days to control further flights of adults
• Effective activity and vapour action to control larvae emerging from eggs laid by the first flight of adults

Equity* also has recommendations for Orange Wheat Blossom midge.

 

 
Comply with the SAY NO TO DRIFT guidelines for chlorpyrifos including adopting a 20 metre no-spray buffer zone beside watercourses (1 metre dry ditches) and using LERAP three star low-drift nozzles.

For further information contact the Dow AgroSciences Hotline – 0800 689 8899 or email UKHotline@dow.com 

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

Dursban and Equity are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist.
Dursban WG contains chlorpyrifos
Equity contains chlorpyrifos

 

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SADDLE GALL MIDGE

Report 8 – 18th May 2012

As part of our support to farmers and agronomists in improving understanding of this pest, Dow AgroSciences together with the HGCA have commissioned ADAS to monitor the development of Saddle Gall midge in wheat this spring - a pest which in some areas severely affected yield last year.

Learn more about Saddle Gall Midge.

ADAS are monitoring two continuous winter wheat sites in Buckinghamshire with a history of Saddle Gall midge. Large numbers of orange-red mobile larvae were found earlier this spring and the start of pupation has been detected at both sites.

With this pupation, not surprisingly adults are now being caught in sticky traps on both sites. Luke Cotton, the agronomist, has easily found adults and eggs in the Wendover monitored field (Gallant Winter Wheat at GS 39); only one egg-laying site found so far at Cadmore End.

Last year adult emergence and egg-laying took place over a prolonged period. The slow movement in pupation would suggest these sightings maybe just the start of emergence. Remember the populations of larvae found this spring were high - in excess of 9 million/Ha! 

We would be interested in any reports you have of this pest, especially details of whether you are seeing adults, which you are happy to share. Please either email UKHotline@dow.com or send via Twitter. 

There are no approved insecticide treatments with recommendations specifically for control of Saddle Gall Midge. Dow AgroSciences are pleased to lend our experience to and be associated with the initiative to find a solution to this troublesome pest.

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

 

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WHEAT BULB FLY

Final Report – 2nd March 2012 

In support of product stewardship of Dursban* WG, Dow AgroSciences in conjunction with ADAS, will be monitoring Wheat Bulb fly egg-hatch and subsequent plant invasion. This helps farmers comply with needs to accurately assess risk and thus optimize spray timings.

Results of the HGCA-funded survey of Wheat Bulb fly egg numbers in England show 20% of fields sampled are above 250 eggs/m2. In Scotland from sampling conducted by Scottish Agricultural Colleges, the risk is considered to be low-moderate; here 30% of fields had Wheat Bulb fly populations that exceeded 100 eggs/m2.

From this survey, fields in the main risk area have been selected which have high or very high egg numbers present. Progression of egg-hatch will be monitored weekly between now and mid-February.

Results

Egg-hatch is progressing now at all sites. The SAC have also confirmed egg-hatch at similar levels in Scotland, to those Yorkshire.

There is plant invasion of Wheat Bulb fly in East Anglia and Lincolnshire, although all larvae are still at first instar.  There is no plant invasion yet in Yorkshire. 

What does this mean for you?

It is now too late for an egg-hatch spray in East Anglia and Lincolnshire. In the North and in Scotland, for at risk fields, apply Dursban WG at the first available opportunity as tiller survival will be very important.

In the absence of egg counts for specific fields, risk assessments for treatment must be made on basis of locality, previous cropping, drilling date, plant population, tillering and soil type. Use Risk Assessment Charts to identify fields at risk.

Be prepared to apply Dursban WG at 1.0 kg/ha in 200 to 1,000 litres per hectare of water.

 

In the event of a prolonged egg-hatch a repeat application of Dursban WG may be required, particularly on organic soils.

 

If necessary, Dursban WG can be applied to frosty ground but should NOT be tank mixed.  Do not apply to frozen soil where rain could result in run-off to water courses.

Equity* also has recommendations for Wheat Bulb fly.

 

Use low drift nozzles and extend buffer zones to preserve Dursban WG use!

 

When spraying Dursban WG or Equity for wheat bulb fly:

Have a look at the video on www.saynotodrift.co.uk/arable/ of spraying with these nozzles versus conventional flat-fan applications.

  
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

Dursban and Equity are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist.

Dursban WG contains chlorpyrifos
Equity contains chlorpyrifos

 

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