Successful Scouting Plan

Why the Scout Matters

There is, perhaps, no individual more responsible to the success of a crop than the lonely scout. No one is in a better position to save a company money — especially if the company, the grower, and the scout are one.

Nearly all major infestations begin with just one or two individual pests. They mate, lay eggs, and before you know what hit you, your operation is grossly infested. Catching the one or two individuals early — before they have relations — can save you from massive numbers and the associated losses down the road.

Scouting, as a word, speaks little of what it entails. It is, however, the label put on a methodical, intensive process. Without it spelled out, many growers are unsure of what the process is, specifically, and tend to poke around the operation in a haphazard, irregular fashion whenever there is time. This is not effective scouting — though it can’t hurt to give a look-see now and then. There is a better way.

What follows are recommendations for setting up and using an effective pest scouting program that will provide early insights and offer a significant amount of historical information — data which can be used later. Scouting, by the way, is something all growers should do, regardless of their pest control methodology. It’s not just for the Green Methods crowd.

The 6-Step Recommended Program

Follow these six steps to set up a scouting program that produces consistent, actionable data:

This is intensive work, but the discipline is what makes it effective. The aim is not to look for pests but to know what’s there at any given time.

Valuable Reminders

Don’t forget…

• Use one trap per section, mounted vertically, 2–3″ above the plant canopy.
• Use one additional trap per 250 ft² section mounted horizontally very close to the medium to detect fungus gnats. (Or use a ¼-inch slice of raw potato placed directly on the medium to capture larvae — change the slices weekly.)
• When doing plant inspections, try shaking the plant over the back of the white scouting map — this helps tremendously in finding pests like thrips.
• Don’t lighten up with the regimen. Miss one day and you’ll taint two weeks worth of records (instead of two 7-day weeks, you’ll end up with one 6-day week and one 8-day week).
• Change your traps if they have enough pests to make next-week’s counting difficult. If few pests are recorded, circle them with an old ball-point pen so they aren’t counted again. Change traps once a month even if clean — the sticky compound needs to stay viscous.

…because this stuff is important.

What’s on Your Traps? — Pest ID Cheat Sheet

The information below will help you identify the more important bugs you’ll capture on yellow sticky traps.

Aphids

Normally only winged aphids get caught. The wings typically settle to either side of the abdomen. Often, the aphid will bear young before dying — the brood, barely visible, will also be trapped. Front wings have two parallel veins close to the leading edge. Legs and antennae are long and thin. Distinguishing characteristic: siphunculi (two horn-like appendages at the rear of the aphid).

Fungus Gnats

Usually in a multitude of positions because they thrash to free themselves. Small, fragile, gray/black, mosquito-like but smaller. They have a distinctive Y-shaped vein close to the outboard edge of each wing (the stem of the “Y” points toward the body). Legs very long and thin. Antennae long, thin, beaded.

Leafminers

Small flies; thrash about and become more mired. Medium-length legs, short antennae. Important identifier: a yellow spot on each side of the thorax.

Shore Flies

About the size of fruit flies but much darker, with black eyes. Pale spots on their wings, medium-long legs, short antennae.

Thrips

Barely discernible insects with long, thin bodies. Wings usually closed tightly to the body, fringed with tiny hairs. Legs not visible; stubby, thick antennae protrude from the head in a “V” shape.

Whiteflies

Tiny, fragile flies normally covered in a white, powdery bloom. When caught, the white coating that contacts the adhesive dissolves — revealing the true color: dull orange. Body parts not touching the adhesive stay white. Legs and antennae are medium-short. The easiest pest to identify on yellow stickys.

Other Species

If traps are used outdoors or in an open-system greenhouse — especially one not on a spray regimen — hundreds of species will appear. Most are of no concern; many are beneficial. If large numbers of a single species appear, have it checked out: contact us, consult one of our recommended books, or notify your cooperative extension entomologist.