Last summer, I wrote a blog about how the spring started off warm compared to most summers. I was curious to know about accumulated temperatures for 2017. According to the ISU Agronomy Mesonet, southern counties are about 100 degree days ahead of 2016; central counties are about 100 degree days behind 2016 and northern counties are 200 degree days behind 2016. Most interesting!
Insects need accumulating degree days to develop, and therefore, warmer-than-normal temperatures in the spring can impact pest activity during the growing season. Specifically, this year there may be wise to scout fields in southern Iowa more diligently than in previous growing seasons.
Erin Hodgson Professor
Dr. Erin Hodgson started working in the Department of Entomology, now the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, at Iowa State University in 2009. She is a professor with extension and research responsibilities in corn and soybeans. She has a general background in integrated...