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East-Central and Southeast Iowa Crop Information

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Alfalfa Weevil Update

alfalfa weevil

 

Development of alfalfa weevil is based on climatic temperature. Alfalfa weevils develop whenever the temperature is above 48 degrees. Therefore, the stage of development is estimated based on Growing Degree Days (GDD) Base 48. The formula for a given day is the daily high (minimum 48) plus the daily low (minimum 48) divided by 2 to determine the average temperature for the day. From the average temperature for the day, subtract 48. If the result is a positive number, add it to the GDD of all prior days with a positive result.

Alfalfa weevils begin to hatch at 300 GDD base 48 and quit feeding at 900 GDD Base 48. Because south facing slopes are somewhat warmer than average, they should be scouted beginning at 200 (south of I-80) - 250 (north of I-80) GGD Base 48.

Following are GDD Base 48 accumulations as of the end of the respective day.

May

Burlington

Cedar Rapids

Davenport

Dubuque

8

346.5

272.0

311.0

225.0

9

362.5

286.0

328.0

234.5

10

368.5

292.5

334.0

239.5

11

374.0

297.0

338.5

242.0

12

379.5

302.0

343.5

245.0

13

391.0

313.0

354.0

254.0

14

415.5

339.5

380.5

276.5

15

441.5

360.5

403.5

295.5

16

465.5

379.5

424.0

312.0

17

486.5

402.5

447.5

331.0

 

A map from the mesonet base 48 is available at http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/data/summary/gdd48_jan1.png.

For details on managing this insect, see the April 2, 2012 ICM News article, the April 8, 2011 ICM News article, pages 87 - 89 of the April 17, 2006 Integrated Crop Management Newsletter, and/or pages 48 - 49 of the April 11, 2005 Integrated Crop Management Newsletter.

If harvesting is used to manage alfalfa weevils, check re-growth in 4 - 5 days using the strategies listed on pages 2 - 3 of the June 13, 2005 Integrated Crop Management Newsletter.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Iowa State University Extension Office.
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Last Update: April 15, , 2013, except the data in the table was last updated the day after the most recent data listed.
Contact: Virgil Schmitt vschmitt@iastate.edu


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