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11/11/2025

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Tag Archives insects

Six tips for managing wheat stem sawfly
Crops

Six tips for managing wheat stem sawfly

As with most pests, wheat stem sawfly populations rise and fall, depending on weather and the presence of natural predators. Economic losses arise when wheat stem sawfly larvae feed inside the stem. While some of those losses are due to decreased seed weight, much of it occurs when the stems are cut and the plant[...]
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The rusty grain beetle is ranked as the No. 1 pest most often found 
in stored grain.
Crops, News

Grain beetles appear to be on the rise this winter

A jump in inquiries about pesticide certificate program is a sign that grain pests are an issue, says crops specialist

By
Reading Time: 2 minutes Provincial officials have been fielding more requests this winter for the Farmer Pesticide Certificate Program for renewals or issuing new certificates, and grain beetles are the reason why. “We see it almost every year in southern Alberta, but it’s creeping up to central Alberta, too,” said crop specialist Harry Brook. “That is telling me that people are[...]
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This little fellow breaks a lot of hearts at elevators every year. The rusty grain beetle is ranked as the No. 1 pest most often found in stored grain.
Crops

It happens too often — loads of grain rejected because of insects

It’s not uncommon for elevators to find insects in grain — but it’s entirely preventable by aerating properly

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes Loads of grain across the Prairies are being rejected as a result of insect contamination — but that’s pretty much par for the course at this time of year. “It’s something that’s actually pretty commonplace, so it’s not too surprising to hear,” said Brent Elliott, infestation control and sanitation officer with the Canadian Grain Commission.[...]
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Photo: iStock
Reuters

U.S. senators seek ban on pesticide chlorpyrifos

By
New York / Reuters – A group of Democratic senators hopes to ban a pesticide the U.S. government has greenlighted for use, according to a bill unveiled on Tuesday in a challenge to Republican President Donald Trump’s push to loosen environmental regulations. The bill, introduced by Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, would outlaw chlorpyrifos,[...]
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Swede midge larvae.
Crops, News

Swede midge numbers low in Alberta

By
Reading Time: < 1 minute There is good news from a survey of swede midge larvae this summer. The survey was conducted at 42 canola sites in central Alberta in July. “Bottom line is that the survey found very low numbers of swede midge,” said insect management specialist Scott Meers. “As an example, we would typically find between one and[...]
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Grasshoppers thrive in hot, dry conditions and are expected to be a problem in some areas of the province this year.
Crops

Keep watch because pests got an early start

The mild winter and warm start to spring have given pests an ideal start

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes Here’s the bad news: The dry, hot start to spring means more insect pests this year. And even the bit of rain received during the May long weekend won’t make a difference. “Insects respond to the heat and it’s been hot — their life cycles are all moved forward and the crops are not thriving under[...]
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Blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks) are most commonly found within and along the edge of forests 
and in areas with thick, woody shrubs.
News

Take precautions to minimize risks of tick exposure

Blacklegged ticks are known to carry three serious illnesses

By
Reading Time: 2 minutes May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and people need to remember that tick-borne diseases are completely preventable. People can protect themselves by performing regular tick checks after spending time outdoors, knowing where blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) are located, minimizing the risk of exposure, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases.[...]
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Wheat stem sawfly
Crops

Hot spots for wheat stem sawfly in 2016

Only a few areas are at high risk but one of them is much farther north than usual

By
Reading Time: 2 minutes The risk of economically significant sawfly populations in 2016 will be limited to only a few areas, according to the province’s new wheat stem sawfly forecast map. “For the wheat stem sawfly, we go into the wheat fields after harvest, look at four spots and count the number of stems that is intact and the[...]
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Renowned soil scientist Jill Clapperton climbs into a pit to show some features of soil, during a hands-on workshop on soil health.
Crops

Soil scientist offers recipe for better soil health

More earthworm slime and protozoa excretions? You betcha!

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes You can’t control Mother Nature, but you can have some control over the health of your soil. At a recent workshop, soil scientist Jill Clapperton outlined some visible indicators of soil health, and described a few things producers could do to improve their soil. “If you have healthy plants, you have an excellent indicator that[...]
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New field guide for Prairie pests in Western Canada
Crops, News

New field guide for Prairie pests in Western Canada

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Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture Canada has a new 152-page full-colour illustrated field guide for managing more than 90 crop and forage pests in Western Canada. Along with diagnostic information for pest species, the guide also helps to identify over 30 natural enemies that prey on or parasitize these pests. The book includes identification characteristics, life cycle, damage or[...]
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