Insect Alert For

Corn Earworm

Risk Level:
Low
Affected Area:
Full page
Alert Details

An active weather pattern is predicted for the next several days to week across much of the corn-growing region – one that is very typical of the summer months with hot and humid weather battling against cooler and drier weather to the north. In the hot and humid zone, southerly winds will be present and may lead to several opportunities for corn earworm migration events northward to near the battle zone especially in the northern corn-growing region where some crops are still at susceptible stages to corn earworm damage. Low risks are in place tonight into tomorrow morning from far eastern Nebraska into Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois as the first cold front moves east. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to accompany the front and may serve as drop zones for any migrating insects. As we head into the weekend, the first system will exit to the east with migration risks mainly focused across the southern Great Lakes into the eastern corn-growing region. Late in the weekend and early next week, as the next low pressure forms in the High Plains and southern Canada, southerly winds will focus back across western and central fields with Low risks especially along/north of I-80. A Moderate risk has also been introduced to the forecast across far northern Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois early next week when south to southwest winds may be the strongest and also will have likely been in place for more than a night which may add to the overall risk. Growers with crops at susceptible stages to corn earworm damage should remain vigilant and continue scouting and trapping efforts until the crop is no longer at a problem stage of growth.