A close-up of a group of orange/red ladybeetles with black spots huddle close together on a black nylon strap.

Farmers urged to watch early for insect pests

Scouting early can help farmers protect against crop-damaging insects this year

Scouting early can help protect Manitoba crops from pest insects like flea beetles, cutworms or grasshoppers.

White nose syndrome has decimated bat populations in North American, and a recent study validates previous predictions that the loss of this species and its role in biological pest control would negatively impact agriculture.  |  File photo

Study finds bat population crash increases insecticide use

I’ve written before in this column about the bat disease that has decimated North American populations. As a brief refresher, white nose syndrome is a disease caused by a fungal pathogen that was introduced into the state of New York in 2006. The fungus causes a skin infection, making a characteristic white fuzz around the […] Read more