News stories shared in the October 2023 Central Issue appear below.
North Central IPM Center Updates
New Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Program and Funding Opportunities
A new program aims to alter the culture within integrated pest management (IPM) for a more inclusive and equitable environment. In October, USDA NIFA announced funding of a program titled, “Increasing DEIA Programming for Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A Model for USDA NIFA-funded Organizations,” which is being offered through the Regional IPM Centers.
Through this new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) program, about $200,000 is available nationally and will be divided between three funding opportunities: DEIA grants, fellowships and mini-grants. These opportunities are available to anyone in the United States or US territories:
• DEIA Grants: $120,000 available with awards up to $20,000 each. Applications will be considered as received, through January 31, 2024 or until funds are exhausted.
• DEIA Fellowships: Up to eight fellowships of up to $6,000 each will be awarded. Individuals eligible to apply should belong to the faculty, staff or student body of an 1890, 1994, historically Black college or university or Hispanic serving institution and should be actively involved in integrated pest management or plant health activities. Applications will be considered as received until funds are exhausted.
• DEIA Mini-Grants: Up to $30,000 available with awards of up to $5,000 each. Applications will be considered as received until funds are exhausted.
Webinar Recording: Soybean Gall Midge: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of a New Pest in Soybean
Dr. Justin McMechan, assistant professor and crop protection and cropping systems specialist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, shared recent research on soybean gall midge, a relatively new problem for soybean growers.
While soybean gall midge was first identified in 2011, it did not cause widespread issues until 2018. Crop rotation can help reduce populations, but it is important to also watch for areas where corn and soybean rotations are near each other because the adults can move between fields.
Learn more about soybean gall midge biology, when and where to scout, and population dynamics in the full webinar: “Soybean Gall Midge: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of a New Pest in Soybean.” Also be sure to check out the Soybean Gall Midge Monitoring Network to keep up with new research and results.
November Webinar: Highlights and Impacts of the 2018-22 USDA/NIFA North Central Integrated Pest Management Center
The November “Pests and Progress” webinar will focus on the history of the North Central IMP Center and the ways integrated pest management has been supported in the region. Join Lynnae Jess, one of the Center’s co-directors and working group liaison, to learn about the Center’s networking and collaboration efforts along with impacts from recent working group projects.
Be sure to register to receive the webinar link. This free webinar will be held on Wednesday, November 15, at 1:30 pm ET (12:30 pm CT). “Pests and Progress” webinars are free, and more details are on the North Central IPM Center website.
Reminder: Critical Issues and Working Group Application Deadline
Applications for critical issue and working group projects must be submitted online by Friday, November 17, 2023, at 6:00 pm ET (5:00 pm CT). Use this grant management system to submit a proposal for this funding opportunity from the North Central IPM Center. A Q&A webinar is available to provide details about how to apply. Additional questions may be sent to northcentral@ncipmc.org.
New Episodes—I See Dead Plants Podcasts
- Pathogens sneaking around your vines!? Act now and protect the wine! (Part 1)
Interviewee: Dr. Michelle Moyer from Washington State University - Pathogens sneaking around your vines!? Act now and protect the wine! (Part 2)
Interviewee: Dr. Michelle Moyer from Washington State University - What To Do When Oak Wilt Haunts Your Forest (Part 1)
Interviewee: Dr. Jennifer Juzwik of the Northern Research station with the U.S. Forest Service - What To Do When Oak Wilt Haunts Your Forest (Part 2)
Interviewee: Dr. Jennifer Juzwik of the Northern Research station with the U.S. Forest Service - Stop Insects From Tarnishing Your Cotton Crop: Bt technology and Cotton Insects
Interviewee: Dr. Scott Graham from Auburn University
North Central IPM Center Participates in 2023 NIPMCC Meeting
Co-directors Laura Iles, Daren Mueller, and Lynnae Jess attended the National Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee (NIPMCC) meeting in Puerto Rico from October 17 to October 19, along with Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Katie Hartmann; Research Administrator Kelsey Mueller and Communications Specialist Jacque Pohl.
The meeting included updates from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the National Pesticide Safety Education Center, IR-4, Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP), which has been renamed agInnovation. Together, the group discussed changes in climate, farming and pests, and opportunities for using integrated pest management to address new challenges. The meeting concluded with a tour of the Jardín Botánico, part of the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan.
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Updates
NIFA Invests $19.6M in Crop Protection and Pest Management
Seventy-six projects have been selected to receive funding from the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) program. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) selects projects that address high priority issues related to weeds, insects and diseases and integrated pest management approaches.
Funding for CCPM is awarded in three project areas: the Applied Research and Development Program, the Extension Implementation Program, and the Regional Coordination Program, which funds the four Regional IPM Centers. The list of projects awarded funding can be found here.
US Environmental Protection Agency Updates
EPA Approves New Labels for Cyantraniliprole to Better Protect Endangered Species
The insecticide cyantraniliprole now has new labels to help protect federally threatened or endangered (listed) species. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the labels as part of its effort to identify and limit pesticide impacts to species listed on the Endangered Species Act.
Use of cyantraniliprole is still allowed, especially since it is the only non-neonicotinoid active ingredient available for some approved uses. However, there are additional restrictions, including rules about spray nozzle sizes, application distance from water and field edges, and use of swath displacement.
EPA Hosting Webinar on Understanding Bulletins Live! Two
On Thursday, November 9, from 2 to 3 pm ET (1 to 2 pm CT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will give an overview of the Bulletins Live! Two (BLT) system. This BLT system is important because it includes new rules about complying with the Endangered Species Act for pesticide registrations.
Sign up for the webinar to learn:
• How EPA Bulletins relate to pesticide labeling.
• How to use Bulletins Live! Two to determine if there are geographically specific mitigations for intended pesticide application areas.
IPM Highlights
Climate-Smart IPM: Key to US Ag Resilience
If it seems like temperatures and extreme weather events are increasing, climate experts have the data to confirm these trends. Growing crops is harder than ever due to drought stress and damaging storms, and as temperatures increase, insects, diseases and weeds are entering and surviving in new areas. While there is no single solution to these challenges, using a variety of farming and pest management practices can help.
Invasive Species on the Menu at London Restaurant
Silo restaurant in London, England, has added gray squirrel, American signal crayfish and Japanese knotweed to its menu in an effort to combine two goals: making a profit and invasive species control.
18 New Cotton Diseases Added to the CPN Encyclopedia
If you work with any cotton growers, make sure that they are aware of cotton disease resources available from the Crop Protection Network. Eighteen cotton diseases are described, along with photos and management options.
Pests this Season
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF)
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is spreading into the North Central region from the Eastern US. A live SLF population was found in Illinois for the first time at the end of September. Spread can be monitored using this EDDMapS page. While SLF does not pose a health threat to humans, it does affect some specialty crops and other plants we enjoy, such as grapes and apple, peach, cherry, birch, oak and maple trees. As this insect moves into the Midwest, we can prepare by:
• Learning more about SLF with resources like these:
- Pest alert
- Podcast
- ID and biology
- ID and biology (Spanish)
- Monitoring and reporting sightings
- Checking vehicles for eggs and adults, especially if you know you are in an infested area
- Learning to id its favorite host plant, the tree-of-heaven and watching these trees for SLF
Avian Influenza Confirmed in Williams County Backyard Flock
Avian flu was found in a small chicken flock in Williams County in North Dakota. The area was quarantined, and birds may not be moved into or out of Williams County for 30 days. If not new cases are found, this suspension will be removed. No human infections have been detected, and the risk to people is very low even when infected. Wild birds do infect domestic birds so it is good to keep wild birds away from domestic flocks, especially during spring and fall migration.
Why is my Corn Black?
Noticing black husks and leaves in corn fields? Not to worry. Saprophytic fungi grow in damp, warm conditions and help decompose corn residue, but they do not affect live corn plants. Check out the full article to learn how to tell the difference between saprophytic fungi and tar spot.
Preparing for Next Season
What we Learned from the Alfalfa Variety Trials in 2023
Alfalfa trials from the University of Minnesota assess winterhardiness, disease resistance and forage yield. Check out this summary of past trial results, along with results from 2020 to 2021.
2023 Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results–SD
Spring wheat data from the 2023 growing season is now available from South Dakota State University Extension. Compare statistics about height, lodging, grain weight and protein from many spring wheat varieties grown in trials throughout the state.
Growing Hardy Figs in Ohio
Since most figs are not cold hardy, the primary place they are grown in the United States is California. However, a 2017 to 2020 demonstration project in Ohio tested several fig varieties for cold hardiness. While some hardy fig cultivars do not ripen before frost, hardy Chicago may be a variety worth trying.
Corn and Soybean Field Guide Updated
This pocket-sized guide, first published in 2016, covers disease and insect issues that occur in corn and soybeans. Updates include the addition of tar spot and soybean gall midge, as well as more images.
goals, priorities, and signature programs and how they guide Center activities related to integrated pest management (IPM).
