Western Bean Cutworm Update

Aug 03, 2021

By Amy Raudenbush and Suranga Basnagala et.al

Statewide western bean cutworm (WBC) numbers declined for the week-ending August 1 resulting in an overall average of 10.2 moths per trap. Ten counties remained above scouting threshold and include Ashtabula, Defiance, Fulton, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Paulding and Trumbull. For more information on WBC monitoring and scouting please visit the agronomic pest website: https://aginsects.osu.edu/

Average Western bean cutworm adult per trap

Figure 1. Average Western bean cutworm adult per trap (in white) followed by total number of traps monitored in each county (in blue) for week ending August 1, 2021. Map developed by Suranga Basnagala, Ohio State University, using ArcGIS Pro.

Source : osu.edu

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.