Applicators need to be on guard for early insect emergence

The shorter than usual winter has brought warm weather early this year. Because of this unseasonably warm trend for March, farmers are expected to see more bugs in their fields.

"We're seeing insects active 2-3 weeks early up north this year," says Phillip Pellitteri, Insect Diagnostician for the University of Wisconsin-Extension. "That's historic."

Much of the United States did not experience a harsh winter freeze. This allows subsurface wintering insects to emerge earlier than usual not having to wait long for the soil to soften. Pellitteri says insects in Wisconsin he's watching are bean leaf beetles and alfalfa weevil.

"The lack of significant winter weather is causing critters to pop out sooner, and in some cases there are more of them than usual," says Pellitteri. "Typically this many insect eggs wouldn't survive a harsh winter. I think we reached -5 degrees once this winter in Madison where in years past we would hit -20 degrees."

Aphids are under watch in the Ohio River Valley. Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist for the University of Kentucky, echos the same winter conditions.

"You just never know when spring will get here," says Johnson. "We're breaking some [high temperature] records daily. It's unusual, but not unknown."

The short, mild winter can present the right conditions for additional insect generation. Greater numbers of some insects may be experienced due to early emergence from the extended length of season.

"My advice is to be ready," says Johnson. "Things are coming up early and farmers need to be on their toes. Don't go into this spring thinking it's a normal year. Act quick at the first sign of insects."