VegIPM Update, Vol. 11, No. 7, Apr 1, 2020

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

Corn earworm:            Moth activity decreased during the past 2 weeks and is comparable to what we’ve seen in the past 5 years at the end of the produce season.

Beet armyworm:         Moths remain active, and about average for the end of the season.

Cabbage looper:          Cabbage looper moths declined in most trap locations over the past 2 weeks. Below average activity for the end of the season. 

Whitefly                       Adult movement at seasonal lows and relatively absent; typical for this time of the season.   

Thrips                          Thrips activity has increased in most trap locations, but still below average for this time of the season.

Aphids:                        Adults beginning to disperse again; above average abundance for this time of the year.

Leafminers                  Adult activity increased significantly in Yuma and Gila Valleys; about average for end of the season.

Diamondback Moth: 

DBM adult captures decreased slightly in most trap locations as crops begin to terminate. The exception is in Bard/Winterhaven where trap catches increased significantly near seed crops. Trap catches overall have been stable during March, but higher than the previous two seasons.

Area-wide Diamondback Moth Trapping Network

In response to the recent outbreaks of Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella in Yuma, we have established a pheromone trap network designed to monitor the activity and movement of adult populations of DBM. PCAs have had difficulty controlling DBM in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower since October 2016. Traps have been placed in Roll, Wellton, Dome Valley, Gila Valley and Yuma Valley in locations where cole crops are presently being grown or in areas where infestations were known to occur in the fall.