Insect Alert For

Corn Earworm

Risk Level:
Low
Affected Area:
Full page
Alert Details

A warm and rather humid weather pattern is predicted to hold across a good portion of the corn-growing region into the weekend as south to southwest winds continue to blow north from the southern United States. Such a weather pattern can also be favorable for corn earworm migration, and daily migration risks are in the forecast right into early next week. The primary focus initially will be in western portions of the corn-growing region from Kansas and Missouri north into Nebraska, Iowa, and southern South Dakota and Minnesota tonight into tomorrow morning as low pressure organizes in the Plains but also as high pressure remains over the Great Lakes region and keeps the majority of southerly winds to the west of the Mississippi River. By tomorrow night into Friday morning, however, the risk will shift east as high pressure advances southeast into the southern Appalachian Mountains. Fields as far east as Michigan, western Ohio, and Indiana may see isolated moth flights by that time. Over the weekend and into early next week, a longer duration and favorable weather pattern with rather persistent south to southwest winds may lead to scattered corn earworm moth flights across the central portion of the corn-growing region. With corn now silking and entering into a susceptible stage to damage, Moderate risks are in place both Saturday and Sunday nights. The risk is initially across far northeast Kansas into northern Missouri, eastern Iowa, far southeast Minnesota, southwest Wisconsin, and northwest Illinois. By Sunday night into Monday, the Moderate risk shifts southeast and envelops northeast Missouri, central and northern Illinois, and northwest Indiana. A cold front is likely to pass through the corn-growing region starting late in the weekend and early next week, further enhancing the risk as precipitation is predicted along this front. Growers should be on the alert for newly-arriving moths in the coming week, and should be prepared to take any necessary actions.

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