In Arizona, the diamondback moth (DBM) is typically considered a minor pest that occasionally builds up to damaging levels in the winter and spring. In most years, growers can easily control the pest with 1-2 well timed insecticide sprays. But in the fall 2016 outbreaks of an invasive DBM population occurred throughout all vegetable growing regions in Arizona where it was determined that the source of the DBM originated from infested transplants grown in desert greenhouses. We later discovered that the invasive DBM population was very resistant to the diamide insecticides (Coragen, Beseige, Belt and Vetica). The DBM infestations experienced by Arizona growers in 2016-17 were not anticipated, and overall, the resistant pest caused serious economic losses in cole crops. Prior to the 2017-18 growing season, PCAs and growers were very apprehensive about the resistant DBM reappearing on their fall crops. However, the population abundance of DBM in the desert last season was significantly lower than what was observed under widespread outbreak conditions in 2016. We received no complaints from PCAs or growers of uncontrollable DBM infestations, crop damage or yield losses in 2017, and PCAs reported having no difficulty controlling larvae or adults with commonly used insecticides, including the diamides. Field trials and lab bioassays conducted at the Yuma Ag Center confirmed the local DBM populations were susceptible to these insecticides. Field inspections of transplants yielded no larvae on plants arriving from local and coastal nurseries. Thus, we have concluded that the DBM that appeared in 2017-18 were a distinctly different population than those that infested crops in the fall of 2016. It is likely that the DBM population in 2017 migrated onto both direct-seeded and transplanted cole crops in wind currents following September storms. In an attempt to document the impact of the DBM outbreaks on Arizona cole crops, we conducted a two-part survey of growers and PCAs from Yuma, Maricopa and Imperial Counties in May 2018 to (1) estimate the severity of yield losses from DBM on direct-seeded and transplanted cole crops, and (2) the intensity of chemical management required to control DBM, and associated level of control provided by each insecticide product used. To download a copy of the survey results, please go to Diamondback Moth on Desert Cole Crops in 2017.                         

This study was conducted at the Yuma Valley Agricultural Center. The soil was a silty clay loam (7-56-37 sand-silt-clay, pH 7.2, O.M. 0.7%). Lettuce was seeded, then sprinkler-irrigated to germinate seed on Nov 28, 2023 on double rows 12 in. apart on beds with 42 in. between bed centers.  All other water was supplied by furrow irrigation or rainfall. Treatments were replicated five times in a randomized complete block design. Each replicate plot consisted of 25 ft of bed, which contained two 25 ft rows of lettuce. Plants were thinned Jan 4, 2024  at the 3-4 leaf stage to a 12-inch spacing. Treatment beds were separated by single nontreated beds. Treatments were applied with a tractor-mounted boom sprayer that delivered 50 gal/acre at 100 psi to flat-fan nozzles spaced 12 in apart.

Month	MaxTemp(°F)	Min Temp (°F)	Average Temp (°F)	Rainfall
November	80	51	65	0.08 in
December	71	44	57	0.82 in
January	68	42	54	1.14 in
February	73	47	59	0.50 in

 
Downy mildew (caused by Bremia lactucae) rating was done on variety Eblin, Bobcat, and 180 (partially funded by AILRC grant). Disease was first seen on 1-30-24. Please see attached excel file for chemicals application date. Disease rating was done on February 29^, 2024. Disease severity was determined  by rating 10 plants within each of the five replicate plots per treatment using the following rating system: 0 = no downy mildew present; 0.5 = one to a few very small downy mildew colonies on bottom leaves; 1 = downy mildew present on bottom leaves of plant; 2 = downy mildew present on bottom leaves and lower wrapper leaves; 3 = downy mildew present on bottom leaves and all wrapper leaves; 4 = downy mildew present on bottom leaves, wrapper leaves, and cap leaf; 5 = downy mildew present on entire plant.
The data in the table illustrate the degree of disease control obtained by application of the various treatments in this trial. Most of the treatments exhibited activity against the disease to some extent. Latitude, Amara, Eject, Previcure flex exhibited good control in the variety Eblin (highly susceptible variety). Whereas Cevya, Stargus, Latitude, Amara, Revus, Thrive 4 M, Actigard, Instigo+Carbose+intereact showed activity against the pathogen in variety Bobcat. Please see excel file for the full list of chemicals and their efficacy. The lettuce variety 180 was resistant to the disease and no downy mildew was observed on the particular variety. No phytotoxicity was observed in this field.

Today's video is a demonstration of a spray assembly delivering herbicidal spray (blue dye) to spot spray targeted weeds. This devise can be integrated with an imaging system for precision, automated / robotic weed control.
CHECK IT OUT!

Pigweed Identification
Pigweeds are some of the most common summer annual broadleaf weeds in the low deserts. Although they are often lumped together, there are 4 different species of pigweed that are common here and more than 10 species that occur as weeds in California and Arizona. Their growth habits and response to herbicides are similar. It is easy to identify them by physical characteristics but one species of pigweed can hybridize with another and become less distinguishable.

Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is probably the most common pigweed species found in this region. It is very aggressive and fast growing and can become 6 feet tall or higher if uncontrolled. It has one thick stem and several lateral branches. The leaves are lance shaped, hairless and have distinctive white veins on the underside. It has flowering tassels that become stiff and spiny. This species has become resistant to Glyphosate in many parts of the county.

Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) is probably the second most common pigweed species. It is shorter and the seed heads are smaller, in clusters and have stiff spine-like scales. It has leaf hairs on the margins and the veins are often reddish. The lower stems are often reddish. This species will hybridize with Palmer Amaranth and become less distinguishable.

Tumble Pigweed (Amaranthus albus) is very different from Palmers or Redroot. It grows lower to the ground and has many branches that turn upright. The leaves are much smaller and narrower. The numerous stems are light green rather than red. The seed heads are small, spiny and at the base of the leaves rather than in long terminal spikes. When mature, the branches are sticky, stiff bristles that break off at the ground and tumble with the wind.

Prostrate Pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides) is very similar to Tumble Pigweed but the stems are more prostrate, grow close to the ground and form mats. The stems and leaves are smaller and reddish rather than light green.

Area wide Insect Trapping Network   VegIPM Update, Vol. 15, No. 21, Oct 16, 2024

Results of pheromone and sticky trap catches can be viewed here.

Corn earworm: CEW moth counts increased in most traps; about average for early October.

Beet armyworm: Trap counts increased in most areas last week, and about average for early October.

Cabbage looper: Cabbage looper trap counts still most locations, below average for this time of the season.

Diamondback moth: Adult activity increasing, particularly in the Yuma and Dome Valleys.  Above average for this time of season.

Whitefly: Adult movement increasing Tacna, Dome Valley and Yuma Valley; overall about average for early October.

Thrips: Thrips adult movement picking up in all areas, overall activity above average.

Aphids: Winged aphids beginning to show up the north Yuma and Gila Valleys; about average for early October.

Leaf miners: Adult activity light in all areas, about average for this time of season