Articles tagged under: Ian MacRae

Problem Potato Pests

Published August 24, 2023

Colorado Potato Beetles require a certain amount of heat to break their winter dormancy. University of Minnesota Extension entomologist Ian MacRae saw the pest show up later than usual this season. "We had that early season heat before it got…
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Pest Problems

Published July 12, 2023

The early-season heat could impact pest management. According to University of Minnesota Entomology Professor Ian MacRae, the number of insect generations can be sped up in that scenario. “When that happens, it means you have a mixed population of caterpillars,…
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Leafhoppers Impact Multiple Crops

Published May 19, 2023

Northwest Research and Outreach Center Entomologist Ian MacRae says the leafhoppers are common this time of the year. "It's not unusual to see our populations move from here up into Canada." Aster leafhoppers are not usually a problem in wheat,…
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PVY Risk Higher Than Last Year

Published August 28, 2022

Late season insect populations are being monitored closely. University of Minnesota Extension entomologist Ian MacRae is watching the potato crop. "Our populations start to rise end of July and crank up in August." MacRae says there is a risk of…
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Aphid Numbers are Increasing

Published August 1, 2022

According to University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae, aphid numbers are up, but remain less than half the level seen one year ago. Most of this past week’s trap catches were cereal aphids. Soybean aphids are also starting to…
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Grasshoppers are Back

Published July 20, 2022

Grasshopper populations are starting to build in portions of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae says it’s not as bad as last year. "We had a lot of grasshoppers at the end of last year. and they all…
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Rains Kept Grasshoppers at Bay

Published July 9, 2022

Grasshoppers have not been a major problem so far this growing season. University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae has been getting a few grasshopper calls. "We ended last year with high populations, so we've had a few high hopper…
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Hoppers Favor Dry Conditions

Published January 16, 2022

University of Minnesota Entomologist Ian MacRae says insect population increases during dry, warm weather. The rapid spurt in population is because the insect body thrives in heat and will grow quicker, therefore consuming more energy. "If we end up with…
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Keep an Eye Out for Colorado Potato Beetle in Spring

Published January 6, 2022

Last year’s warmer-than-usual conditions in central Minnesota and portions of the Red River Valley brought a strong emergence of the Colorado Potato Beetle. University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae says Colorado Potato Beetle can survive a northern winter. Snow…
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Potato News

Published July 21, 2021

It’s been a strange year for the Colorado Potato Beetle. University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae says in central Minnesota, populations started early and strong. In the north, emergence was later and populations only peaked once. Hear more in…
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