Tobacco Insect Scouting Report, July 10 2015

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go.ncsu.edu/readext?364729
— Written By Jeremy Slone and last updated by Carol Hicks
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Close-up budworm. Photo: Jeremy Slone

Budworm populations have surpassed threshold at all IPM sites to date, and all but one field has been treated. It is unlikely that tobacco budworms will require treatment post topping, but we will continue to count them if they are present. According to extension surveys in recent years, the average number of reported chemical applications pre-topping averages 1.4 in North Carolina. The frequency of post-topping treatments have varied in the past few years, depending on pest pressure, but in 2014 it was less than one on average. Most foliar treatments are directed at either budworms or hornworms.

Average number of pre and post topping foliar insecticide applications made to North Carolina tobacco, 2011-2014.

Average number of pre and post topping foliar insecticide applications made to North Carolina tobacco, 2011-2014. Data summarized from annual county extension agent surveys, Hannah Burrack.

We are observing increases in tobacco flea beetles at some sites. However, populations are still relatively low, and at this stage of plant growth significant damage is not likely. The threshold for flea beetles on mature plants is 60 per plant, but significant damage has been reported to occur with lower populations. Inspecting plants and observing the degree of damage is important for determining the need for treatment, but any treatment for flea beetles requires precise spraying to ensure your chemical reaches the lower stalk and leaves. Additional information on these and other pests can be found here.

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No longer a pest; parasitized budworm. Photo: Jeremy Slone

Eastern 1

Scouting Report, Eastern 1 – Grower Standard Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.04 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 6% infested – No treatment  0 – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Scouting Report, Eastern 1 – IPM Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.06  flea beetles/plant– No treatment 0% infested – No treatment  0% – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Eastern 2

Scouting Report, Eastern 2 – Grower Standard Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.0 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 0% infested – No treatment  0 – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Scouting Report, Eastern 2 – IPM Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.0 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 1% infested – No treatment  0 – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Eastern 3

Scouting Report, Eastern 3 – Grower Standard Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.46 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 28% infested – Req treatment  0% – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Scouting Report, Eastern 3 – IPM Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.3 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 42% infested – Req treatment  0% – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

[Eastern 3 will not be treated at this time as plants are being topped]

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Piedmont 1

Scouting Report, Piedmont 1 – Grower Standard Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 2.08 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 16% infested – Req treatment  0 – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Scouting Report, Piedmont 1 – IPM Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 1.6 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 3% infested – No treatment 0 – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Piedmont 2

Scouting Report, Piedmont 2 – Grower Standard Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 1.82 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 6% infested – No treatment 2% – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Scouting Report, Piedmont 2 – IPM Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 1.72 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 14% infested – Req treatment  0%  – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

Piedmont 3

Scouting Report, Piedmont 3– Grower Standard Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.3 flea beetles/plant– No treatment 4% infested – No treatment 2% – No treatment 0 – No treatment

Scouting Report, Piedmont 3 – IPM Field

Insect observation No. aphid infested plants Flea beetles  per plant Percent tobacco budworm infested plants Hornworms per plant Percent cutworm damaged plants Other insects
Treatment needed? 0 – No treatment 0.37  flea beetles/plant– No treatment 0% infested – No treatment  0% – No treatment 0 – No treatment  

More information

Tobacco insect scouting methods – Tobacco Growers Information Portal

Previous scouting reports – Tobacco pest information

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