GENERAL SITUATION

Wide spread, slow falling rains fell over the Southern Blacklands last weekend depositing from 1.2 to over 3 inches of moisture across a 3 day period. The corn and grain sorghum crop continue to make good progress. Cotton is approaching peak bloom and insect pressure is increasing in many fields.

CORN AND SORGHUM SOIL INSECT PESTS

The only problem being reported in corn is where high populations of chinch bugs are causing the death of lower leaves of some corn in isolated areas of a few fields.

Sorghum midge levels have dramatically increased across the area, with some fields of late blooming sorghum having as many as 3 midge per head. Fortunately, only a few fields have yet to complete blooming. However, those fields that have not completed blooming need to be monitored at least every other day if not everyday for sorghum midge. Refer to previous "Pest Management Newsletters" for sorghum midge thresholds and scouting procedures.

COTTON INSECTS

Cotton ranges from 5 to 6 true leaf stage to having quarter-size bolls. Percent square set appears to have stabilized this week after decreasing last week. Most fields have already past the stage where fleahoppers are a problem; however, some of the younger fields are still susceptible to fleahopper injury and may need to be treated if significant fleahopper populations are found and if square loss is occurring.

Aphids have decreased in all fields. The combination of beneficial insects, the parasitic fungus, Neozygites fresenii, and the rain have contributed to the decrease in aphid levels. High relative humidity favors the proliferation of this parasitic fungus, which should help keep aphids levels low.

There has been a slight increase in levels of cotton bollworm/tobacco budworm (CBW/TBW) larvae, eggs, and damage in area fields this week. Egg counts are ranging from 0 - 30 per 100 plants and larval counts are ranging from 0 - 10 per 100 plants. Most fields are averaging 4 - 8 eggs and 0 - 4 larvae per 100 plants checked.

Some fields triggered a treatment late last week and early this week for worms. Many of these fields were treated with a Bt/ovicide combination. From early observations, it appears that these treatments along with good levels of beneficial insects in most fields have really helped limit the number of worms that are surviving reach 1/4 inch in size.

Economic thresholds for bollworm/budworm are 8 - 12 small larvae per 100 plants and 10 to 15 percent of the fruit is damaged. In cotton, recently sprayed with an insecticide and beneficials eliminated, the threshold can be lowered.

Bts, Spinosad and ovicides/larvacides other than pyrethroids labeled for bollworm/budworm control are products of choice this stage of the season.

*Average number of moths/trap/week

Only a few signs of beet armyworms were observed this past week. However, several products have been made available to growers for beet armyworm control if needed. Two registered products available for BAW control include TRACER Broad Spectrum Worm Control Product for Cotton and CONFIRM Insecticide. In addition, several products have been made available to growers just recently. Two Federal Insecticide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 18 Specific Exemptions for the use of DENIM Insecticide and INTREPID 80WSP Insecticide. One FIFRA Section 18 Exemption request for the use of STEWARD Insecticide remains pending and in review by EPA.

Overwintered boll weevil remain low. Actual numbers ranged from 0 - 4 per trap with an average of less than 1 per trap. Several first generation (F1) adult weevils have been found in fields this week, which is not uncommon at this point. These weevils will probably cause punctured square counts to continue to increase. Currently, punctured square counts ranged from 0 - 10 per 100 squares. Generally, continue to have 2 to 4 punctured squares per 100 squares checked.

Boll Weevil Trap Counts*
	1998		1999		2000
Location	6/09	6/16	6/07	6/14	6/06	6/13
FM1660	26.2	41.4	1.4	2.0	2.2	1.0
FM1331	19.1	14.0	2.4	0.8	1.2	1.0
FM1951	4.0	14.7	1.7	0.0	0.0	0.0

*Average number of weevils per trap per week

WEEKLY TURNROW MEETINGS

*No turnrow meetings on June 20th and June 27th due to field days. (See below Upcoming Events.)

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 20th - Stiles Farm Tour in Thrall

June 26th - Milam County Crops Tour

June 27th - Williamson County Crops Tour

June 29th - 4H Entomology Camp @ Stiles Farm in Thrall