Jill Sharko

Lygus bugs and bertha armyworm larvae pose great risk to the yield potential of canola crops in their own right, especially at threshold. Agronomists have been finding higher numbers of lygus bugs and bertha armyworms across the northeast, which has been raising concerns about what to do when threshold of both insects are found in the field. Challenges of Differing Insecticides There are insecticide products available to control these pests on their own. Typically, contact products like...

Cabbage seedpod weevil (CSPW) pressure was elevated in parts of our region last year, and this season is shaping up to be another one to watch. The 2025 Prairie-wide CSPW survey detected weevils across the region — which means every canola field is worth monitoring this year, regardless of what pressure looked like in 2024. Our scouts are already seeing weevil activity in some fields ahead of peak flowering. How Weevils Move In to Canola CSPW are attracted to yellow, so populations typically...

Bare patches in cereal crops are one of the more frustrating things to discover mid-season — and wireworms are a common culprit. The good news is there’s a simple, low-tech scouting method that can help you get ahead of the problem before seeding even begins. What Are Wireworms? Wireworms are the larval stage of click beetles. They live in the soil and feed on seeds and seedling roots, causing thin, patchy stands — especially in cereal crops. Because they’re underground, damage often shows up...