Pest Scouting Checklist
Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus
In the 2023 growing season, Alberta has been seeing an increased number of cases of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). The viral disease most commonly affects wheat, causing stunted growth and lower yield.
The time to scout for WSMV is now! Learn more about scouting, symptoms and management of WSMV before heading out.
For more information, contact Mike Harding, Crop Health Assurance Lead with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, at michael.harding@gov.ab.ca.
If producers would like to submit samples to the Plant Health Lab, email AF.PHL@gov.ab.ca
True Loose Smut in barley
As the head emerges, true loose smut has been found on barley in Alberta. This seed-borne disease colonizes the growing point before the seedling emerges from the soil. At heading stage, the grow in developing kernels and eventually replace the kernel with spores. The spores disperse from diseased to healthy heads, infecting developing seeds. If used as seeds, the infected seeds pose risks to the following season.
Farmers are encouraged to scout the fields, and to manage true loose smut with seed testing, certified seed, and genetic resistance. Find more details on true loose smut scouting and management here.
Cereal Leaf Beetle
Cereal leaf beetles have been spotted in some prairie fields. It’s time to scout for them! Look for pale lines on the leaves similar in appearance to window-panes. If you look closely, you might find larvae in the shape of an oil droplet.
Before heading out to scout, have a look at the insect of the week – cereal leaf beetle.
Tips for scouting for cereal leaf beetles:
- Scout throughout the spring and summer to assess pest populations
- Count egg and larvae at 5 to 10 random sites throughout the field
- Inspect 10 plants at each site
Economic threshold has not been established in Canada, growers can use resources from Montana and North Dakota as a reference.
Wheat Midge
In regions that received more abundant rainfall, wheat midge adult emergence has peaked. Scout for the adult midge using this monitoring tool.
Maps on predicted wheat midge development
Get an overview on wheat midge & get prepared.
Keep updated on wheat midge development through Prairie Pest Monitoring Network.
Grasshoppers
Due to higher-than-average temperatures earlier in the season leading to accelerated heat accumulation, the development of grasshoppers is ahead of schedule. . As of July 16th, 51% of the grasshopper populations in the prairies are in adult stage.
Scouting is the key to know the grasshopper population and development stage at specific farms, as their development vary from field to field. See the most recent update here.
Adult two-striped grasshopper. Photo courtesy: Dr. Meghan Vankosky