Bruce Potter
@SWMNpest
Followers
1K
Following
146
Media
776
Statuses
1K
Retired University of Minnesota IPM and professional scapegoat. Still exploring biology of agricultural and wild landscapes.
Lamberton, Minnesota & SW MN
Joined October 2012
Variable MN infestations based on planting date, rainfall, field size, and buckthorn. SWROC soybean aphid populations have developed to 100% plants infested with low # of aphids/plant. Any optimism in thos pic?.
2
1
2
Visited the SWROC western corn rootworm site this AM. Western corn rootworm pressure in continuous corn much higher here than 2024. It's early, male beetles are just beginning to emerge and no females.
0
4
13
Looks like extended diapause rootworm problems could be more prevalent in MN corn this year.
3
9
22
Soybean aphids are easy to find on V4 soybeans at UM UM SWROC near Lamberton MN. Too early to panic but may want to scout indicator fields earlier this year.
1
2
12
Research update meeting at the UMN SWROC today. A new experience not presenting this year.
0
0
9
Western corn rootworm eggs are seeing an open winter and cold soil temps. Will 2025 continue to see lower rootworm populations in SW MN?
3
3
20
This evening's insect pest report. Too dry here for mosquitoes but, as fall progresses and they run out of small invertebrate prey such as aphids, swarms of minute pirate bug's switch to human prey. When good bugs go bad.
1
1
4
I'm not aware of this disease being confirmed in MN. However, depending on vector survival and movement, this may be another corn disease to keep in mind in the future.
Corn stunt spiroplasma, a new threat to @kscorn , is now confirmed in 26 counties. For more info 👉
0
0
7
I found a second brood white-lined sphinx moth caterpillar feeding on purslane in my garden. In MN, this species overwinters as a pupae. Unfortunately, I have either too few caterpillars or too much purslane.
0
0
6
Greater tar spot incidence and severity in parts of SC and SW MN this year. Was the disease early and severe enough to affect yield? .We may get some clues from fields with check strips. Photo: UAT consulting
3
2
5
Celebrated retirement with UMN coworkers, farmers, consultants and other ag industry friends last night. Humbled. It has been an honor and privilege to work for MN agriculture. Not a sport star but donated this shirt I've saved for many years to the SWROC anyhow.
2
1
34
Another disruption in the harmonious life at my hummingbird feeders. An earlier wasp issue was fixed but an absconded honeybee colony must have moved in nearby. The bees are doing a bang up job pollinating plastic.
0
0
4
Quick trip to Jay Cooke St Park and a small section of the Superior Trail. Other than mourning cloak butterflies preparing for hibernation, and Hymenopteran pollinators, low insect activity. Many birds spp have left. Several aster and sunflower species in bloom.
0
0
4
Not sure why so many thought pyrethroid resistant soybean aphids wouldn't still be thing in 2024. Weather influenced population increases and abundant winged aphids on the move meant aphids hit MN and Dakotas with a big punch. F=m×a is one way to view outbreaks.
1
0
13
Stopping to Refuel on stiff goldenrod while getting ready for a long trip.
0
0
2
Just had a very large group of dragonflies pass through. Almost fell off the veranda in futile effort to get close enough for ID. They might have been migrating darners. Plenty of winged ants to snack on.
0
1
0
Entomophaga fungi took out this differential grasshopper in the MN River Valley. High prevalence of diseased hoppers. Some very late hatching red-legged this year.
0
0
4
It just dropped 20 or more degrees here. Someone is getting hail to the nort.
0
0
1