Alfalfa & Forage News

Many splotches on your windshield? You are not alone. Summertime brings various worm pests, including beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) and western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica), and alfalfa caterpillars (Colias eurytheme).

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend" holds true in entomology as well! The activity of natural enemies of pests (beneficial insects) is a key component of Integrated Pest Management in alfalfa to prevent pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks.

I'll be back! And, they are, with a vengeance! Just like the Terminator, those pesky blue alfalfa aphids are once again wreaking havoc in alfalfa fields, including those just breaking dormancy in colder climates.

How about a trip to beautiful Reno with >500 of your closest friends?

The end is near for chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) applications in many California crops, now on a faster timetable than previously anticipated.