Despite spring weather dividing the province of Saskatchewan in two, one thing that remains consistent across the entire province is flea beetle damage in canola crops. This, along with late spring frosts and dry conditions in the west, means some farmers haven’t put their seeders away just yet. Matthew Struthers is a crop extension specialist… Read More

Validating economic thresholds for flea beetles can be tricky — especially when we know the damage the insect can do to the canola crop. Héctor Cárcamo, research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at Lethbridge, Alta., recently completed a study that confirms an economic threshold. The team at AAFC found that 25 per cent… Read More

Flea beetles are a common insect pest in early growing canola across the Prairies. There are two important species of concern for canola (and mustard) growers: the striped flea beetle and the crucifer flea beetle. “The feeding is indistinguishable, but the striped flea beetle comes up earlier,” says James Tansey, provincial entomologist with Saskatchewan Ministry… Read More

The organizations representing Canadian canola growers and the canola industry are welcoming a pair of Health Canada decisions regarding two active ingredients found in seed treatments for canola and other crops. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) released its final decisions following special reviews of the impact of clothianidin and thiamethoxam on aquatic insects… Read More