Insect Alert For

Western Bean Cutworm

Risk Level:
Moderate Risk Level
Affected Area:
Full page
Alert Details

Western bean cutworm moth counts are beginning to increase across portions of the corn-growing region as the annual moth flight commences in some regions. With crops beginning to enter into critical growth stages, increased risk levels are now in place across portions of Indiana where moth counts are increasing. Low risks continue across Kansas into Nebraska with an eastward expansion into Iowa in the next week, and Low risks also continue across northern Illinois, Wisconsin, southern lower Michigan, northwest Ohio, and also east into southern Ontario, Canada as well as northwest Pennsylvania and New York state. Western bean cutworm trouble areas may be more spotty but locally intense, so growers are urged to monitor traps as well as growth stages in crops and take appropriate action where it appears warranted. Problems in one field may not signify problems in another so local field scouting and checking for egg masses once moth counts increase in the next several weeks will be important.