We have been expecting some pest
troubles to develop in our later crops in Hale & Swisher counties for some
time. Last week we found several sorghum
fields (most just entering soft dough stage) with economic bollworms, one of
the species that commonly make up the sorghum headworm complex. Unfortunately, we are finding that the bollworms
are not alone.
This
week we are finding several FAW (fall army worms) following the bollworms into
the sorghum fields, just a touch behind.
The ET (economic threshold) for any sorghum headworm is roughly the same
without much regard to larva species.
Literature regarding headworm control, etc. can be found in Managing Insect and Mite Pests of
Texas Sorghum. However,
species identification is crucial
if your field does have an economic headworm problem. Most
of the labeled products for bollworm (i.e. corn earworm) will not control FAW
larva. In this case, we must
change our recommended treatment to a product that has a chance to control
both. Changing products does come with a
higher sticker price, so we really need to make certain of your species present
before applying any labeled product for headworms. Good photos to aid with larva identification
between bollworm and FAW can be found in the July 5 edition of FOCUS.
Of
course sorghum is not the only area crop the FAW will attack. Corn, cotton, early planted wheat, and even
several hay crops are at risk. I am
finding several FAW in late planted corn, and a small number in cotton, but at
this time they seem to prefer the later planted sorghum that is just moving
toward soft dough stage.
Please call with any questions,
Blayne
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