Diamondback Moths A Concern For Oilseed Producers

It looks like Diamondback Moths could pose a real problem for producers this year. 

 

Crops Extension Specialist John Ippolito says there's potential for probably two, maybe even three generations of the insect impacting canola and mustard crops in Saskatchewan this year.

 

"So potential for, you know, canola and mustard damage as we get later into the growing season I think is our concern right now based on the number of moths we're catching in the traps and the fact that they've arrived quite early. Moth counts to date, I would say the last four weeks or so, have been higher than what we've seen for a few years, and I guess early.  So the combination of the two is I guess why we're maybe concerned about the potential for challenges down the road."

 

The adults lay eggs but it's the larvae that does the real damage feeding on the leaves and pods of the crops reducing the yield potential.