Leatherjackets unexpectedly threaten sugar beet

UK - April 22, 2005

East Anglian sugar beet crops are under serious threat from unexpected leatherjackets attacks on young and emerging plants resulting in some re-drilling.

Where populations of leatherjackets are found above the economic threshold of 30 per sq metre (300,000/ha), Dow AgroSciences recommends immediate treatment with Dursban WG at 1 kg/ha in a minimum of 200 l/ha of water to prevent further feeding by leatherjacket larvae.

"It is unusual to see these kinds of attacks in rotations that don't include grassland," says David Roberts, technical services team leader at Dow AgroSciences.

Mr Roberts advises growers to closely monitor all sugar beet crops as reports indicate fields sown with treated seed or following cereals have not escaped from leatherjacket damage.

"So far crops in Norfolk and Suffolk are affected, but we would advise growers to check sugar beet particularly in min-till situations or after crops which had high grass weed populations."

Recent cold weather means visible leatherjackets damage has been limited. As soil temperatures warm up there is the potential for serious damage, but check that leatherjackets rather than slugs are the cause of any damage.