Insects are out there so you should be sweeping. Reports are that folks are picking up a few of everything, but in most cases, numbers are not necessarily exceeding threshold. Be sure to sweep your own bogs to make your decisions rather than relying on what other growers are reporting. Insects are big enough to see at this point and if there are enough of them, you should consider treating...
Cranberry IPM Message
With the many frosts and recent rains, many growers have not swept bogs nor have they treated. As soon as an opening appears, you should sweep your bog.
Several confirmed sightings in sweep nets of tiny black-headed fireworm (BHF) larvae have been reported from late last week and over the weekend. Larvae are the same size as winter moth larvae (2 mm, ~1/16") except that they wriggle when touched or disturbed. This is the best (really, only) distinguishing feature at this point.
Winter moths are on the bog now! We now have over 12 reports of winter moth larvae found in sweep sets on sites throughout cranberry land. High counts of 15-30 were reported in Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Wareham. Several reports of 10 counts came from Plymouth sites. Other sweeps confirm counts ranging from 0-10, concentrated on the edge of the bog.
Winter moth larvae are NOT on the bogs YET!!
Since the first few months of the year have been warmer than usual, growers should be preparing for preemergence herbicide applications earlier this season. Typically herbicides are applied late March through early April. Based on the movement of many other plant species, I would recommend that preemergence applications go out before the end of March and preferably before that, if possible...
People are still finding unhatched viable fruitworm eggs in numbers over threshold. But spray options continue to be very limited for most growers. No reports of bad flea beetle or Spag according to the Ent lab.
We still recommend scouting for viable unhatched cranberry fruitworm eggs to determine if extra sprays are needed. We understand that this is a time-consuming process but it is the best IPM tool we have for cranberry fruitworm management at this point in the season. If you still have a Delegate spray available and a Spag issue, now is the time to apply for control. The Ent lab reports high...
