Current Projects in the
MSU Field Crops Entomology Program
2010 Field Season
FIELD CROPS
Western bean cutworm trapping network in Michigan
Coordinated by: Meg Chludzinski
Funded by: Michigan Dry Bean Commission & Michigan Corn Growers Association Cooperators: Numerous extension agents, agribusinesses, and growers
As in 2009, we are providing pheromone to cooperators to trap WBC moths in Michigan. Trappers will enter data every week directly into a web-based form, and a map of trap catch will automatically be generated on the MSUENT.COM home page.
For a summary trapping results from previous seasons, see:
Maps of WBC Trap Catch in Michigan from 2006 to 2008 by C. DiFonzo
Maps of WBC Trap Catch in the Great lakes Region in 2009 by C. DiFonzo
CORN
Western bean cutworm biology in corn
Coordinated by: Chris DiFonzo
Funded by: Michigan Corn Growers Association
Most detailed information about WBC biology in corn comes from its western range. In 2009, I infested individual corn plants with a WBC egg mass, and then sacrificed plants to recover larvae after 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to determine location on plant, larval stage, and damage. In 2010, the study will be repeated, this time in corn of three stages (targeting whorl-stage, pre-tassel, and post tassel).
For research summaries from 2009 related to WBC in corn, see:
WBC Biology Study in Michigan Corn by C. DiFonzo
Herculex Xtra Efficacy Trial for CRW and WBC by C. DiFonzo
DRY BEANS
Western bean cutworm biology in Michigan dry beans
Coordinated by: Meg Chludzinski
Funded by: Michigan Dry Bean Commission and MSU Project GREEEN
Limited biological information is available for WBC in dry beans. In 2010, individual dry bean plants will be infested with a WBC egg mass, and then sacrificed in groups to recover larvae every few days to determine location on plant, larval stage, and damage.
Western bean cutworm host range
Coordinated by: Meg Chludzinski
Funded by: Michigan Dry Bean Commission and MSU Project GREEEN
Western bean cutworm attacks both corn and dry bean, but host range information is limited to a few studies done in western states. As WBC moves into the Great lakes Region, we are investigating its potential to attack other field, veg, and hort crops, as well as weeds common in the region.
Western bean cutworm spray timing in dry beans
Coordinated by: Meg Chludzinski
Funded by: Michigan Dry Bean Commission and MSU Project GREEEN
Thresholds for WBC in the western U.S. rely on milk jug trap catches or number of larvae per foot of row. The Michigan, damage to dry beans takes place at a much lower number of moths per trap. Furthermore, larvae are difficult to find and count in a heavy plant canopy. To improve spray timing in Michigan, we will attempt to correlate damage (pod feeding) with insecticide applications.
For research summaries from 2009 related to WBC control in dry beans, see:
WBC in Dry Beans - Egg Mass Trial by Jewett et al.
WBC in Dry Beans - Larval Infestation Trial by Jewett et al.
WBC in Dry Beans - Insecticide Trial by Jewett et al.
Field survey of dry bean fields for western bean cutworm damage
Coordinated by: Meg Chludzinski
Funded by: Michigan Dry Bean Commission
Cooperator: Fred Springborn, Montcalm County MSU Extension
In 2010, a series of commercial dry bean fields in Montcalm County will be scouted weekly for moth catch, egg laying, and plant damage. This will allow us to assist growers in making better management decisions in July and August, using real data collected from actual fields.
Impact of Temik on dry bean growth and western bean cutworm
Coordinated by: Mike Jewett
Funded by: Michigan Dry Bean Commission
In an efficacy trial in 2009, dry bean plots treated with Temik (aldicarb) at planting had more damaged pods and beans than untreated plots. This project investigates our hypothesis that Temik treatment creates a bigger or denser dry bean canopy, perhaps more attractive to egg laying moths or better for larval survival.
Western bean cutworm flight timing
Coordinated by: Chris DiFonzo
WBC moths fly at night, although the timing of the flight is not certain. We will use light traps set on timers to collect moths at several intervals in the night. Knowing the flight period will help us target the optimal time to collect females at night. Females can be placed in cages to produce egg masses for research.
SOYBEAN
Developing an economic threshold for RAG1 aphid-resistant soybeans
Coordinated in Michigan by: T. Michael Kates
Funded by: NCSRP, the North Central Soybean Research Program
Cooperators: Midwest soybean entomologists
The current threshold for soybean aphid in conventional beans is 250 SBA per plant. The goal of this multi-state, multi-year study is to set a threshold for new aphid-resistant varieties containing the RAG1 gene.
Interaction between soybean aphid-resistant varieties and natural enemies
Coordinated in Michigan by: T. Michael Kates
Funded by: The North Central Soybean Research Program and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee
Natural enemies play a key role in controlling soybean aphids, especially in low aphid years. Recently, seed-treated RAG1 varieties are available commercially. The goal of this multi-state, multi-year study is to measure the impact of natural enemies in conventional versus RAG1 soybeans, with and without a seed treatment.
Interaction between soybean aphid-resistant varieties and potassium deficiency
Coordinated by: T. Michael Kates
Funded by: Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee
Cooperator: Fred Springborn, Montcalm County MSU Extension
Soybean aphids are already known to reproduce earlier and more on K-deficient conventional soybeans. This project explores the effect of K-deficiency on aphids growing on conventional versus resistant beans.
Genetic diversity of soybean aphids in Michigan
Coordinated by: T. Michael Kates
Funded by: Hutson Graduate Student Funds, MSU Dept of Entomology
Cooperator: Andy Michel, Ohio State University
The Michigan landscape has an abundance of buckthorn for soybean aphid overwintering. The overwintering (egg) stage is the only time in the aphid life cycle that sexual reproduction occurs. Thus we hypothesize that the aphid population in Michigan may be more diverse than in locations lacking buckthorn.
Susceptibility of aphid-resistant soybean varieties to Japanese beetle defoliation
Coordinated by: Desmi Chandrasena and Dechun Wang, MSU Soybean Breeding Lab
Soybean aphid resistant lines developed by the MSU Soybean Breeding Program show increased Japanese beetle defoliation compared to other soybean varieties. This project is evaluating crosses to find beetle resistance (or non preference). In 2010, this project will be done in the open field near sources of adult beetles.
Midwest suction trap network for aphids
Coordinated by: Chris DiFonzo
Funded by: North Central Soybean Research Program
Winged aphids, including soybean aphids, are collected weekly from May until October using 20+ ft suction traps. There are five traps in Michigan in Kalamazoo, Monroe, Ingham, Saginaw, and Sanilac counties, and over 40 traps in the Midwest. Data is posted weekly on the NC Region Aphid Suction Trap web site. Michigan traps hosted by Ned Birkey (MSU Extension, Monroe Co), Paul Horney (MSU Saginaw Valley Research Farm), and Martin Nagelkirk (MSU Extension, Sanilac Co). Dave Voegtlin, University of Illinois, provides aphid identification.