Chafer
Here we are in 2020 and I'm running through the data from last years Syngenta PestTracker data and comparing it to this years.
To date, sightings are pretty much the same as last year.
Below are the results form last year, 2019
And here are the results so far for 2020, Cockchafer, Garden Chafer and Welsh Chafer.
The above two maps from the PestTracker page on the Greencast website show they are being reported from pretty much the same areas of the country at pretty much the same time.
The total sightings are very similar too with the pattern looking very similar as well. Red is 2019 and Yellow 2020 (bear in mind the week 17th - 30th isn't complete at the time of writing).
It's fair to say that this spring has been similar to last years and we have entered another dry spell which last year broke in June.
Now we have an Emergency Authorisation for Chafers, when's the best time to apply?
I'd be patient, in these soil conditions the larvae aren't going to race away and will be susceptible for a good period in the soil. If you've seen a large hatch of Chafers on your site (more likely in the Southern parts of the country according to reported sightings) then we are now in a waiting game. Waiting for the right application window.
To get the very best out of Acelypryn it's important to try to wash it of the leaf as quick as possible. Applying on a wet day or following immediately with irrigation will all help get the best from it. After that returning clippings for as long as possible will also help.
I've taken part in a webinar about how to get the best out of Acelepryn. Worth a watch.
Don't panic just yet - keep an eye on the weather and if you've seen high numbers in flight then look to that next spraying opportunity.
In the meantime you can do everything you can to make sure that soil profile is ready to take the application. Try to keep some moisture in the profile if you can, wetting agent programmes will help to.
Crane fly
Crane Fly
Whilst we don't yet have an Authorisation for Crane Fly it's worth monitoring the flight pattern. Again 2019 is in red and 2020 is in yellow. looks like we had an earlier flight spike than last year but not hugely different. A lot of people are reporting back that they haven't seen hatching Crane fly yet LeatherJacket activity is slowing, if that is the case it's highly likely they are going deeper for the summer ready to hatch in the Autumn.
Managing LeatherJacket damage is going to be one of the biggest challenges we face as an industry. The challenges bringing a new Insecticide to market are huge and the UK Crane fly laying season is proving to be longer than I think anyone realised.
Keep logging those sightings - it really will help to make a difference...............
