Insect Information
Parkland County Agricultural Services assists each year with the Alberta Agriculture insect surveys for Bertha Armyworms, Diamondback Moths, and grasshoppers. This year we will also be doing a survey for the Orange Blossom Wheat Midge.
Bertha Armyworms:
Parkland County has been monitoring for this pest of Canola for many years. It can cause severe damage when populations are high. Economic thresholds vary depending on the cost of insecticide, method of application and crop value. For more information click here
to view the Agri-Facts on Bertha Armyworms.
What are Bertha armyworms?
To view the map of the Bertha Armyworm 2010 forecast that Alberta Agriculture puts out each year click here.
Diamondback Moths:
An insect pest of canola and all plants in the mustard family. Infestations of diamondback moths cannot be predicted based on the previous years' population because very few, if any, pupae survive the long, cold Canadian winters. The severity of the infestation in any given year depends on two factors - overwintering populations to the south and strong south winds to transport the moths north into Manitoba, central Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta in the spring.
For more information click here to view the publication on Diamondback Moths.
What are Diamondback moths?
To view the map of the 2010 Diamondback Moth survey in Alberta click here
Grasshoppers:
To read more on grasshoppers lifecycle, damage assessment, and management strategy click here. Another resource for grasshopper management can be found by clicking here.
To view the 2010 Grasshopper Forecast map click here.
Wheat Midge:
Found all over the world where there is wheat grown. Looks like a small orange mosquito, that lays eggs in the wheat heads and the larvae cause damage when they feed on the developing wheat kernels. For more information on the Wheat Midge click here.
To view the 2010 Wheat Midge forecast map click here.
Got more questions, call Agricultural Services at 780-968-8467.
For Agricultural Services contact 780-968-8467.