This week we were able to set up and spray an insecticide control test near Cuero, TX. This test has products we have hope will be successful in controlling the insect, but there is still some uncertainty until we get the data in a week or two. The other factor is that none of these products are labeled for control of mealybugs in pastures. Yellow Sugarcane aphids and Pasture mealybug nymph There have been some challenges finding the mealybugs in the fields. In the field with this study, the majority of mealybugs found are very small nymphs. We have several observations regarding scouting for the mealybug. 1) Time of day may be important for scouting pastures. It seems we can find more before noon than after the day has heated up. 2) Larger mealybugs may drop off the plant when disturbed so being careful when handling the plants may increase your chance of finding the insects. Moving the mealybug from infested fields to un-infested fields...
1. Scouting a. Check edges of damaged areas more than in the middle of dead grass. b. Look for leaf damage symptoms such as yellowing and red leaves. c. Look for mealybugs on the underside of leaves, especially the lower leaves. d. Check the soil surface and thatch below grass canopy for mealybugs. Often a majority of the mealybugs may be in the thatch and on and in the soil. e. Mealybugs can be as large as 5 mm in length or as small as 0.2 mm. If larger mealybugs are being found, there may be many more small mealybugs that are difficult to see. f. We have not determined a producer/consultant method for determining the size of the populations while in the field. However, if mealybugs are easily found, they are likely above an economic level. 2. ...
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