By Blair Fannin
Rainfall has benefitted many crops statewide, but the moisture also serves as a catalyst for insects and pests, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Farmers across Texas continue to scout fields for signs of pests and damage to crops as the prime growing season begins.
Cotton thrips, fleahopper
At the Stiles Farm Foundation in Thrall, recent rain promoted strong plant development in cotton fields. But the moisture also led to a resurgence of cotton thrips and other pests.
“The cotton crop started off very clean and once we caught substantial rain and cooler overcast weather, thrips blew up quickly,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager. “We’ve been treating it. The cotton has recovered with the sunshine and is squaring aggressively. Now we are dealing with some flea hoppers, and we are getting ready to treat.”
Collett said the cotton flea hopper is one of the biggest pest problems in the region because they cause square losses, which leads to reduced yields.
“It’s all about protecting your squares,” he said. “You want to protect early season fruit set because you don’t know what conditions will be later on.”
Source : tamu.edu