A favorable week for field work in the region. Many corn and soy fields were planted and operations continue in the area. Earlier planted corn appears to be emerging with a slight advantage to soy. This week we will be starting the aphid suction collection trap in Morris, part of the Suction Trap Network that will be monitored through October. This trapping program is led by Dr. Doris Lagos-Kutz, Illinois Natural History Survey-Prairie Research Institute. The program generates data on aphids and other beneficial and pest insects across multiple states. (https://suctiontrapnetwork.org/)
While corn and soy crops are waiting for consistently warm weather to expedite growth, several weed species have flowered or grown rapidly in untreated or unworked fields. They include the yellow flowered winter annual Butterweed, and the early emerging summer annual Giant Ragweed.