Agriculture and Food Systems Program (AgFS)

Risk Update – April 27, 2026

Moderate risk as of April 27, 2026; however, wheat is not flowering. To view commentary from Extension Pathologists, select the megaphone icon in the top‑right corner.

Wheat Field Notes – April 23

General Notes

• Winter annuals are flowering and setting seed. Note heavy‑population areas and plan fall herbicide applications.
• Freeze damage is very minor. Some plants show a killed leaf, but the head and growing point remain healthy.
• Cereal leaf beetle eggs and larvae are present. Wheat is at or near boot stage.
  • Penn State Agronomy Guide threshold: 1 larva per stem at boot stage.
  • University of Delaware threshold:   “The treatment threshold is 25 eggs and/or larvae per 100 tillers. Treatment is suggested when the egg threshold is reached and more than 50% of the sample consists of larvae.”

Laytonsville

Growth Stage: Feekes 8–9 (flag leaf visible; some fully emerged) Insect Pests: Cereal leaf beetle (low), aphids (very low) Beneficial Insects: Spiders

Poolesville

Growth Stage: Feekes 10 (boot) Insect Pests: Cereal leaf beetle (moderate), aphids (very low) Beneficial Insects: Spiders

April 16

General Notes

Cereal leaf beetle eggs are present and larvae are hatching. Eggs may be parasitized, so thresholds focus on larvae.

• University of Delaware threshold: 25 eggs and/or larvae per 100 tillers, with >50% larvae.
• Penn State threshold: 1 larva per stem at boot stage.

Laytonsville

Insect Pests: Cereal leaf beetle (low) Beneficial Insects: Spiders, lady beetles

Poolesville

Insect Pests: Cereal leaf beetle (moderate; ~10% of stems with 1 larva or eggs) Beneficial Insects: Spiders

April 9

General Notes

Scout fields to confirm weed control after herbicide applications. Winter annuals (henbit, deadnettle, chickweed) and roughstalk bluegrass are flowering. Cereal leaf beetles and aphids are the primary insects to monitor at this time of year.

Laytonsville

Growth Stage: Feekes 5 Insect Pests: Aphids (very low) Beneficial Insects: Spiders, lady beetles

Poolesville – Field 1

Growth Stage: Feekes 5–6 Insect Pests: Cereal leaf beetle adults (low) Beneficial Insects: Spiders, lady beetles

Poolesville – Field 2

Growth Stage: Feekes 5 Insect Pests: Cereal leaf beetle adults (low) Beneficial Insects: Spiders, lady beetles

Corn Field Notes – April 23

General Notes

Corn’s growing point remains below the soil surface until the V6 stage. If corn had already emerged before the April 20–21 freeze, the plant should regrow even if the leaves were damaged or killed.

April 16

Poolesville

Corn was planted but had not yet emerged.

Insects:

• No slugs observed
• Wireworm and grubs present at low levels

Weeds:

• Summer annuals emerging, including pigweed species

Soybean Field Notes – April 23

General Notes

If soybeans had emerged before the April 20–21 freeze, they may show signs of damage.

• If damage occurred above the cotyledons (the first thick leaves to emerge), the plant can regrow.
• If damage occurred at the hypocotyl (the hook that first emerges) or at the cotyledons, the plant cannot recover.

Poolesville

Growth Stage: VE (emergence) Insects: No slugs observed.

April 16

Poolesville

Soybeans were planted but had not yet emerged.

Insects: 

Sweet Corn Field Notes – April 23

Freeze Damage

Corn’s growing point remains below the soil surface until the V6 stage. If corn had already emerged before the April 20–21 freeze, the plant should regrow even if the leaves were damaged or killed.

Corn Earworm Monitoring

Corn earworm traps will be deployed in June.

Additional Scouting Resource

For current vegetable insect scouting tips, visit the  University of Delaware's Weekly Crop Update 

If you experienced crop or property damage from the April 20–21 freeze, please contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) if you have not already done so.

FSA Phone: (301) 250‑4735 ext. 2

Weeds

Virginia Tech Weed Identification

Insects

Common Soybean Pests in Maryland

Mid-Atlantic Guide to the Insect Pests and Beneficials of Corn, Soybean, and Small Grains

Diseases

Corn, Soybean, Small Grains, and Cucurbit Diseases, University of Delaware