Washington Ag Today June 24, 2009 Wheat growers in Lincoln and Spokane counties should begin scouting this week for signs of wheat head armyworm larvae in their fields. Dianna Roberts of Washington State University’s Spokane County Extension says none of the armyworm moths have shown up in traps but another moth in the same genus has been trapped in high numbers. She says it is not known if they cause damage or not.

Newly hatched wheat head army worm larvae cause white striations at the base of the flag leaf as they feed on the chlorophyll layer. The damage looks similar to cereal leaf beetle damage but CLB feeding usually shows up at the tip of the erect leaf or at the center if the leaf droops over. Pictures can be viewed at

www.spokane-county.wsu.edu/smallfarms/index.htm

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers biennial legislative tour begins today and runs through Thursday. State lawmakers, staff and agency people will visit segments of the wheat industry around Walla Walla. Wheat Growers president Brit Ausman invites growers to join up with the tour when they can.