Written by Charlotte Cunningham
The very early start to pollen beetle migration could collide with oilseed rape green-bud stage and cause issues for growers in the coming months. CPM reports. An exceptionally warm February has contributed to the earliest start to a pollen beetle migration since records began. While pollen beetle numbers recorded as part of Rothamsted monitoring surveys are currently well below threshold level, if temperatures rise then increased beetle activity could coincide with green-bud – the most damage-susceptible growth stage of oilseed rape. Integrated approach Sam Cook, senior research scientist at Rothamsted Research, says that an integrated pest management (IPM) approach is vital to combatting pollen beetles. “If in the next few weeks temperatures exceed 15°c for a couple of days, then it is possible that increased pollen beetle could coincide with the green-bud growth stage. IPM for pollen beetle is really important in order to increase the efficiency of insecticides and reduce their unnecessary use.” Given the early start to migration, Claire Matthewman, campaign manager at Bayer, agrees that a vigilant and integrated approach will be necessary this season. Even putting yellow sticky traps out in the fields acts as a practical tool for population monitoring, she says. “Monitoring both the crop…
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