Follow this link for a larger version of the map. | The 2018 survey covered all the canola growing areas of Alberta (except the Peace region) with 267 fields sampled in 51
municipalities and 38 reports from our online reporting tool.
The cabbage seedpod weevil was once again found at economic levels in southern Alberta, however many fields were below threshold levels and on average the numbers were lower than normal. While this is the second consecutive year that numbers have been lower than normal slight overall higher numbers where experienced in its traditional range south of Highway 1.
There has been no return to the northern extent of the range extensions of 2016. Time will tell if this range retraction is permanent or a short term situation. Despite lower numbers in 2018 it will still be important to scout canola in early flower to make control decisions as far north as a line between Red Deer and Consort Alberta. |
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Jennifer Otani, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada coordinates the canola survey in the Peace River region where no cabbage seedpod weevils have been found to this point.
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Cabbage seedpod weevil was first found infesting canola in southern Alberta in 1995, since then, the weevil has spread to south-central Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. The distribution and abundance of the cabbage seedpod weevil have been monitored yearly in western Canada since 1997. Predictive models based on climate data indicate that this pest will eventually disperse to all regions of canola production in western Canada, including the Peace River region.
Expansion of cabbage seedpod weevil from 2011 to 2016
While this is not a true forecast, the numbers of weevils found through this survey in southern Alberta and the southern counties of central Alberta counties indicate a potential of economically damaging populations in the next growing season. Any producers that grow canola in southern Alberta and into the south portion of central Alberta will have to check their canola crops as they come into flower. The earliest flowering canola crops tend to have the highest risk from cabbage seedpod weevil and should be monitored very closely.
Cabbage seedpod weevil overwinters as an adult so the risk of infestation is further indicated by the adult population of the preceding fall. High numbers of weevil adults in fall will likely mean significant infestation levels in the following spring. This map does not adjust for the emergence of the new generation in the fall or overwintering conditions, although cooler temperatures and rainfall in August favors the development of the new generation of weevils and may lead to higher numbers in the following year. Very cold winters do have the potential to reduce overwinter survival of cabbage seedpod weevil larvae.
The cabbage seedpod weevil life cycle
The cabbage seedpod weevil takes roughly eight weeks to develop from egg to adult. Development time will vary somewhat depending on weather conditions, especially temperature. There is one generation per year. Follow this link for further information about the life cycle.
Crop damage from cabbage seedpod weevil can occur from:
- bud-blasting (potentially reducing yield in dry years though not experienced in Alberta),
- larval feeding within developing pods (larva consumes five to eight seeds, this is the major source of losses),
- premature shattering of damaged pods and
- new generation adults that emerge in the fall feeding on nearly developed seeds (usually concentrated only on very late crops)
The larval feeding alone can result in yield losses of 15 to 20 percent in each pod infested.
Cabbage seedpod weevil adult abundance is best monitored by using sweep net sampling. Sampling should begin when the crop first enters the bud stage and continue through the flowering period. Select ten locations within each field, and at each location count the number of weevils from ten 180 degree sweeps. Sampling locations should include both the perimeter and interior of the field to obtain a representative estimate of weevil numbers throughout the field. Here is a link to the sampling video.
This monitoring procedure will also give an indication of the number of lygus bugs present and may serve as an early warning for lygus damage, provided that the same fields are monitored into the early pod stage. | 
Cabbage seedpod weevil adult
Shelley Barkley
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The 2018 cabbage seedpod weevil survey was carried out by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry with support from Chinook Applied Research Association; Gateway Research Organization; Lakeland Applied Research Association; Battle River Research Group; Farming Smarter, the Alberta Plant Health Lab and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe as well as from the web based reporting tool. Thank you to everyone for your contribution.
Thank you to Jan Lepp, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry for managing the data from this survey.
Thank you David Giffen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon for preparing the map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canola Council of Canada
For more information on this insect and its management contact the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276) or bugs.r.us@gov.ab.ca
Historic survey maps of cabbage seedpod weevil from 2009-2018.
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