UC Rice Blog

In the past week, many growers and PCAs have identified fields infested with armyworms. The size of these worms is small, ranging from first to third instars. The amount of defoliation they cause at these stages is small.

Earlier this week, I received reports of two fields near Willows that showed evidence of armyworm feeding and very small worms in the plants. Today, I sampled a field that had some severe armyworm affected areas last year. At first sight, there was no evidence of injury.

An exciting opportunity for rice growers to create on-farm habitat will have a final enrollment opportunity on July 29th.

I have received an update from the Butte County Ag Commissioner's office regarding winged primrose willow. Germinating seedlings have been detected recently. At this point, the seedlings are very small and would be very difficult to notice.

I have been alerted of three instances where pyrethroid applications for TPS control have failed. One field had been treated with a pyrethroid two times, and TPS were still alive in great numbers.