Black Cutworm
A weather pattern change is expected to occur mid-late next week as a hot/humid air mass gives way to northwest flow and a generally cooler and less humid air mass by late week into the following weekend. Ahead of the transition, however, we are predicting a Low risk of black cutworm migration especially into the northern corn-growing region where planting is still occurring and also where any new moth flights may still cause cutting problems once emergence happens. Low risks are initially in the forecast on Monday night into Tuesday mainly west of I-35 in northern Nebraska, northwest Iowa, the Dakotas, and Minnesota. The risk area then shifts east to Lake Michigan with a primary focus across Minnesota and Wisconsin by Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Once we move into June, the risk for new moth flights causing problems will wane but continued cutting from previous flights may still occur especially if enough heat units have accumulated since the peak flight period.