The latest news on this seasons pests.
PESTS
Pea moth
There have been no reports of pea moth yet. Pea moth traps
should be placed in crops now if they are not already in place.
Traps should be monitored three times a week and a threshold is
reached when 10 moths are caught in either trap on two consecutive
occasions. When a threshold is reached a spray date can be forecast
using the PGRO pea moth line on 01780 783099. Insecticides should
only be applied when first pods are set. Tolerance levels in vining
peas are lower and crops should be sprayed at first pod where moths
have been caught, even in low numbers, in traps. See PGRO technical
update 149, available on the website www.pgro.org for details.
Traps are available from Oecos tel: 01438 832481.
Pea midge
There have been no reports of pea midge yet in any areas. Vining
peas are more severely affected than combining peas due to their
determinate growth habit, producing a short flowering period.
Susceptible crops are those which are at enclosed bud stage. In
areas where midge has been a problem in the previous year, crops
should be examined for midge adults by pinching the outer leaves of
the growing point together and peeling back the leaves to reveal
the bud. If adult midges are found an insecticide should be applied
as soon as possible to reduce the risk of eggs being laid. A
monitoring trap is available from Oecos Ltd, 11a High Street,
Kimpton, Herts, SG4 8RA. It comprises 4 sticky traps complete with
pheromone lures. By monitoring catches of newly emerged midge in
the overwintering site - in last year's pea field - the peak
activity of pests can be determined. This will provide advance
warning of infestation in the nearby pea crops. Traps should be
placed in last year's pea field 10m apart as soon as possible.
Pea aphid
Although there have been no reports of pea aphid yet, it is
likely that they will soon be present in crops whilst the weather
remains warm. Many spring crops are late due to late drilling and
slow development and aphid impact may be high. Viruses may be
transmitted by the pea aphid into both peas and beans and sprays
may be necessary to prevent damaging virus infection. To prevent
yield loss caused by direct aphid feeding combining peas should be
sprayed when around 20% plants are infested and vining peas when
15% plants are infested.