Time To Scout For Potato Leafhopper

Jun 10, 2015

It is time to have your sweep net out and be scouting for potato leafhopper (PLH) in your alfalfa field. The recent rains have brought PLH into our region from the south where they overwinter. So, get that sweep net out and start checking to see if they are in your alfalfa fields. The piercing and sucking feeding of PLH means that their feeding isn’t obvious and damage (stunted plants and yellowing leaves) won’t show up until a few weeks after feeding. Consequently, scouting with a sweep net is the best method to determine when you need to spray.

IPM of PLH requires knowing the value of the silage or hay. Below is the updated threshold chart with higher values than in older charts.

Source:psu.edu

Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta