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Pest Alerts on Web - September 2003

September 4, 2003

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - Now growers across the state can get accurate and timely information and predictions about pest activity and how it may affect their crops with just a click of their mouse. Information on crops such as corn, soybeans, alfalfa and small grains is now on the Web at http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/field_crops/field_crop_home.htm. This is also available through the 'Pest Problem Solver' at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/17.htm.

Information available includes insect prediction maps for corn and alfalfa, a calendar of insect activities, a new weed emergence prediction tool, a calendar of scouting activities, economic thresholds, degree-day requirements, scouting procedures, management tactics, pest sheets and links to other information. Also available from the site is information on genetically modified organisms issues, training modules from Penn State and Cornell universities and links to additional information.

Scouting, pest identification and pest management tactics are all part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. IPM aims to manage pests -- such as insects, diseases, weeds and animals -- by combining physical, biological and chemical tactics that are safe, profitable and environmentally compatible.

Weather data that is integrated into the insect prediction maps are updated daily during the growing season by Zedx, Inc. a weather service based out of Bellefonte, Pa. The information is used to predict when insects may be a problem for a particular crop. "With the weather data we are able to predict the life cycles of different pests and give growers a heads up on when pests will be present several days into the future," says Dennis Calvin, professor of entomology at Penn State. With the system's weed alerts, an emergence prediction tool, growers can also anticipate when weeds will be a problem and be able to better time post-emergence herbicide applications or tillage activities.

The 2003 growing season was the first full season the system has been in place. Cooperators in the program include extension specialists from Cornell University and the University of Delaware who provide verification of the data. Information for Maryland and several mid-western states is also included on the Web site.

Joanne Whalen, extension specialist from the University of Delaware, says the maps have been a great tool for IPM decision-making. "The alfalfa weevil maps worked very well and they will be very helpful next year in making decisions - it's just the kind of information that I have wanted to include in newsletters in the past but did not have time to do it on my own," she says. Whalen also likes the fact that Maryland and Eastern Shore Virginia are included on the maps so users are able to see development of pests to the south. In addition, European corn borer information could be most useful for vegetable pest management. "It could be a real benefit for decision making of growers of processing vegetables and fresh market peppers," she explains.

Keith Waldron of the New York IPM Program at Cornell University says the maps are very useful to help stimulate and better target crop/pest monitoring activities. "The maps were also useful in enhancing dialogue between extension personnel, consultants, and others who work in field crops. The alfalfa weevil information was particularly timely for helping optimize management decisions, as this was a big year in New York for alfalfa weevil," says Waldren. "Overall we found having the maps available was very helpful to our growers and extension personnel. We enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the research / development team and would look forward to collaborating with them next year."

The system will be up and running again next growing season with daily updates from April to mid-September and Calvin hopes to add additional insects next year. "We've had a lot of positive feedback from users across the country, so we hope to continue to expand the system in years to come," says Calvin.

The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839, or Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/.