Insect Alert For

Corn Earworm

Risk Level:
Low
Affected Area:
Full page
Alert Details

A cold front will push through much of the corn-growing region between now and midday Wednesday. Ahead of the cold front, modest south to southwest winds will be present but any corn earworm migration possibilities should remain isolated due to an unfavorable source region and overall rather weak wind speeds. The greatest risk is primarily east of a line from southwest Missouri to near Chicago to southern lower Michigan. No migration risk is predicted Wednesday night as high pressure builds into the corn-growing region and keeps any southerly winds at bay. Another low risk returns for the late week into weekend period as the next low pressure system and cold front approaches from the northwest in a progressive northwest flow weather pattern. Much like the present system, the source region for southerly winds is expected to be across the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma and points just east where corn earworm numbers are not as great and where fewer hosts are present in comparison to the Mississippi River valley further to the east. As a result, only Low risks are predicted later this week and this weekend mainly south of I-90 and west of the Indiana/Ohio border. Despite a lack of favorable migration weather predicted, growers are still advised to monitor fields as larvae from earlier flights this summer are now appearing and causing damage in some areas.