Photo credit: Tracey Baute European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) Description European corn borer (ECB) egg masses are fat, creamy white and layered over each other, making the egg mass appear similar to fish scales. Mature larvae are creamy white to pale grey with two small spots per abdominal segment, approximately 2.5 cm (1 in.) in length…Continue readingEuropean Corn Borer
Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) Incidence Anthracnose is a significant and important dry edible bean disease in Ontario and has been managed with resistant varieties, clean seed and seed treatments. In fields where the disease does develop, as a result of new strains of fungus or from the use of infected seed, significant damage can occur. Appearance…Continue readingAnthracnose
Description Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), also known as Lucerne mosaic virus or Potato calico virus, can infect over 600 plant species in 70 different plant families, inlcuding dry beans, soybeans, peas, alfalfa, potato, peppers, sow thistle, vetch, nightshades, annual medic species, and clover species, to name a few. Transmission can occur on seed, but in Ontario dry…Continue readingAlfalfa Mosaic Virus
Bacterial wilt is caused by the pathogen Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. Symptoms Interveinal chlorosis on leaflets leading to necrotic areas surrounded by yellow. Necrotic tissue may tear, giving ragged appearance. Necrotic tissue may fall away causing defoliation, or leaves may drop off in windy conditions. Plants will wilt and may look brown coloured from a…Continue readingBacterial Wilt
Incidence Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) has been found wherever dry edible beans are grown in the province. In some years, the disease can be severe in individual fields. Appearance Infection of dry edible beans with the virus can cause various symptoms. Leaves of infected plants have a mosaic of light yellow-green and dark green…Continue readingBean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV)
Assessing Defoliation Research conducted at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, indicates that prior to flowering, dry edible beans are able to tolerate up to 50% leaf loss with minimal loss in final yield. Complete defoliation prior to flowering delayed maturity by 30 days but lower levels of defoliation did not delay maturity. At later…Continue readingThresholds for Defoliating and Pod Feeding Insects
Red-Headed Flea Beetle (Systena frontalis) Description Adults are shiny black beetles, approximately 3–6 mm in length with large hind legs used for jumping. Their body tapers towards the head which is red-orange in colour and gives them their name. Their small white larvae live in the soil and go unnoticed. Life Cycle Little information is…Continue readingRed-Headed Flea Beetle
Western Bean Cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) Description Western bean cutworm (WBC) larvae are tan to pink in colour. When they first emerge from their eggs, they resemble European corn borer with dark heads and beige bodies. Third instar larvae begin to appear like true armyworm, with distinct stripes along their bodies, but lack bands on their…Continue readingWestern Bean Cutworm
Honeybees, native bee species and other pollinating insects are important pollinators for many Ontario crops. Beneficial insects also play an important role in helping to keep pest populations below threshold. Protecting pollinators and beneficial insects requires careful management of insecticide use. Follow integrated pest management practices and use insecticides only when necessary. This approach can…Continue readingProtecting Pollinators and Beneficials
There is an increased interest in “conservation biological control,” which involves managing the agricultural landscape to promote natural enemies and help suppress pest infestations – see OMAFRA Agronomy Guide for Field Crops for descriptions of natural enemies. Though much research is still needed in this area, there is evidence of some successful practices that can…Continue readingPromoting and Protecting Natural Enemies
