Manitoba insect and disease report shows growing activity

Manitoba's latest insect and disease update from the provincial agriculture department reports growing pest activity in the province as the season progresses. Highlights include an overview of physiological leaf spot and how to differentiate it from other issues and reports of barley yellow dwarf virus and aster yellows in cereal crops. In canola, crops are nearing the flowering stage and warm moist conditions are ripe for the production of sclerotinia sclerotia. On the pest side armyworms and thrips are currently being found in small grains, but so far at levels far below economic thresholds. Diamond back moth larvae have been found in southwestern Manitoba, but there's not indication yet they're increasing in numbers as the season progresses. For more information on insect and disease issues in Manitoba refer to the full report, which we have uploaded for your convenience.