Farmers face “never before seen” cutworm infestation

An unusual infestation of cutworms is wreaking havoc in fields in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. This moth caterpillar can destroy canola, potato and grain crops in a matter of days.

Témiscamingue is particularly affected by the damage caused by this insect. Agricultural producers lost large areas of plants that they had sown at the beginning of June.

Cutworms are found every year in small quantities, here and there in market garden crops, for example. Normally, it is something that is quite anecdotal.indicates agronomist Josée Falardeau.

Since June, she has never witnessed such a large presence of cutworms in the region. The agronomist received calls from producers from Abitibi to Sudbury, Ontario.

I have never seen that. I don’t think that in Quebec we have ever seen this level of infestation.

Ms. Falardeau even speaks of an epidemic. The scale of the areas affected and the level of damage, I find that it is truly epidemiological.she says.

The company she works for has treated 6,000 acres of infested area so far.

Discouraged farmers

Agricultural producer Matthieu Mauduit had the unpleasant surprise a few days ago of finding his canola plants cut and eaten by worms.

My canola was just starting to emerge, you could barely see it, but it was there. Unfortunately, I came back three or four days later and everything was gone.

The farmer, who cultivates nearly 800 acres in Témiscamingue, hopes to be able to save part of his plants in Lorrainville, although he already estimates his losses at $65,000. An amount which represents between 25% and 30% of its turnover.

years, it’s more than complicated”,”text”:”It’s sad, we work hard. We already know that it’s complicated to be a farmer. It’s very mentally demanding, especially in recent years. Last year it was drought, this year it’s worms. I’ve been starting for three years, it’s more than complicated”}}”>It’s sad, we work hard. We already know that it’s complicated to be a farmer. It’s very mentally demanding, especially in recent years. Last year it was drought, this year it’s worms. I’ve been starting for three years, it’s more than complicatedhe lets it fall.

Normally, Mr. Mauduit’s 100 damaged acres would have given him a potential profit of $8,000 to $10,000.

As the infestation is rather late on his land, Matthieu Mauduit can no longer sow for the moment and will have to resort to switching to autumn wheat. But again, this was not in the plans. Re-seeding wheat still involves costs, still involves purchasing inputshe points out.

In Rouyn-Noranda, the co-owner of the organic market garden farm Le potager jaseur, Jessica Lambert, lost a quarter of her beet plants and sections of carrots after the passage of cutworms.

These were the beets that I planned to put in my first baskets and it must be said that when you make vegetable baskets, the first baskets are the most difficult to produceshe laments.

The infestation ended on its own thanks to the manual harvesting of the caterpillars. It’s to collect them in the earth, to look for the caterpillars under the earthillustrates the market gardener who found a hundred.

Ms. Lambert plans to protect herself against a future epidemic next year by purchasing predators, such as bedbugs.

What is the gray worm?

Cutworms are a family of insects that turn into moths. In Témiscamingue, agronomist Josée Falardeau identified between four and five species.

The caterpillars hide underground during the day and feed on the base of plants and leaves. At night, you can see them in the fields if you have a flashlight. Ms. Falardeau describes them as being very voracious creatures.

cutworm, so it is a worm that cuts. He cuts the plants, he pulls them underground and he eats them”,”text”:”In English, it’s cutworm, so it’s a worm that cuts. He cuts the plants, he pulls them underground and he eats them”}}”>In English, it is cutwormso it’s a worm that cuts. It cuts the plants, it pulls them underground and it eats themshe summarizes.

The historic drought of last summer and the mild temperatures of winter could have favored the survival of the larvae.

Cutworms are present in the spring, usually for three weeks. However, some species have two life cycles and could therefore continue to wreak havoc.

The potato crop, which is particularly sensitive, will need to be monitored throughout the summer.

Not safe from other infestations

Cutworms could reappear next spring in the region, depending on the weather.

or threeyears which can return if the conditions are there”,”text”:”My fear is that this will continue. It can be cycles of two or three years which can come back if the conditions are there”}}”>My fear is that this will continue. It can be cycles of two or three years which can come back if the conditions are theresays Josée Falardeau.

Treating fields with insecticides during infestation is one solution, as is treating seeds.

Other insect pests

In Rouyn-Noranda, producer Jessica Lambert fears the infestation of other insects on her farm in the Cléricy sector. She found striped cucumber beetles attacking her squash.

There are many insects that are abnormally present in large numbers. I continue to do a lot of scouting. I’m a little worried.

Ms. Lambert points out that this year has been particularly difficult for farmers, who have had to deal with storms and strong winds, in addition to insect pests.

In Témiscamingue, Josée Falardeau is monitoring the appearance of various caterpillars which could also be damaging to crops.