IPM Notes from July 17, 2014

As mentioned last week, the sweet corn now has the tassels and silks appearing at the same time. The corn is now in the silk and earful stage and the corn could be harvested in about 10 days. The problem is the nearby field corn is also tasseling and there will be a high probability of cross-pollination with the sweet corn. This can make the sweet corn starchier and have different color corn. The sweet corn is showing some corn earworm and corn borer damage. Some sweet corn that is sugar enhanced, can last up to 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

The field corn is coming along. There is still some corn borer and cereal leaf beetle damage.

The popcorn for the most part looks fine, although there are some signs of deer damage.

The soybeans are in the 5th to 6th trifoliate stage. The top leaves are slightly lighter. This could be potassium deficiency. The plants are also showing deer damage.

In the demonstration plots the pepper plants look much greener, but like last week the leaves are being chewed by beetles. The strawberry plants are showing too much growth from the daughter plants and will need to be cut back. The strawberry plants will be fertilized. They will also need to be sprayed again for powdery mildew.

Bug of the week – June Bug

Below are the summaries for the insects caught in the three insect traps.

• Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 6 June bugs, 3 chafer beetles.
• Trap 2 (Fall Armyworm) – 4 Japanese beetles, 1 each of chafer beetle, bee, fly, lady bug and armyworm.
• Trap 3 (European Corn Borer) – None.