Some plants are starting to bloom. Photo: Jeremy Slone
Plants at sites throughout the state are reaching the button stage where the plant begins to produce unopened flowers at the bud, and some plants are already in bloom. Treating for budworms is not recommended within two weeks of topping as once the bud and flowers are removed, budworms aren't as attracted to tobacco. Additionally, it is not effective to treat between the button stage and topping as the feeding will not damage plant material to be harvested. However, plants are at various stages of development between sites and even within sites, so some sites may be able to avoid the need for pre-topping budworm treatments whereas others have already had to take action. Post topping, we expect to see more hornworm pressure, and soon we may begin to see aphid infestation as well.
Due to several treatments this past week, we saw very few pests at those sites. We are seeing stinkbugs and grasshoppers, but typically such damage is very limited and would not be economically important for treatment. We are still seeing a nice mix of predators and parasitoids at most of the sites as well. The recent rain storms may have impacted some of our observations, and the increasing temperatures will allow for faster pest development, so be sure to check back next week to see how things are progressing.
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
0.0 flea beetles/plant– No treatment
0% budworm infested plants – 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
0.46 flea beetles/plant– No treatment
2% budworm infested plants – No treatment
6% – 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
0.06 flea beetles/plant– No treatment
0% budworm infested plants – 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
0.01 flea beetles/plant– No treatment
0% budworm infested plants – No treatment
0 – No treatment
0 – No treatment
Eastern 3
Scouting Report, Eastern 3 – Grower Standard Field
