MSUENT.COM
Field Crops Entomology Program
Michigan State University
For MSU weed control recommendations, visit our sister site, MSUWEEDS.COM
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Managing corn rootworm resistance to Bt:
nine corn entomologists in the eastern U.S. recommend CROP ROTATION
You may have read or heard about the recent discovery of rootworm resistance to Bt corn in Iowa and Minnesota. At the annual meeting of corn entomologists, EPA, and registrants at the end of January, rootworm resistance was a major topic. After listening to the experiences of entomologists from the 'Focus' area of resistance in western and central U.S., and hearing the response and recommendations from Monsanto and other companies, nine entomologists from universities in the eastern corn belt (Purdue, MSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Cornell, University of Guelph) worked as a team to develop a recommendation for our states. Our consensus recommendation for the 'Fringe' of the Corn Belt differs from the response to rootworm resistance in the west because it is stricter and involves only one action when resistance is suspected: CROP ROTATION. Our goal is to preserve the usefulness of Cry3Bb1 and other rootworm Bts for you and your customers for as long as possible. For more discussion about Cry3Bb1 resistance, and an explanation for the recommendation we've adopted, click here.
Avipel 24c Labels approved for Michigan
Avipel bird repellent is available for the 2013 season through a 24c Special Local Needs label. There are two formulations, a liquid formulation that can be applied as a seed treatment prior to planting, and a dry formulation that be used in the hopper box at planting. The Michigan labels for these two products can be viewed or downloaded below as pdfs.
Avipel Liquid seed treatment (pdf)
Avipel Dry Hopper box treatment (pdf)
Below are a couple of other new bulletins:
Corn blotch leafminer - a common insect that is a problem on muck soil (pdf)
Impact of cold winters on insects (pdf)