Insect Alert For

Corn Earworm

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

Corn earworm migration risks are in the forecast between now and into the early part of next week as a rather persistent zonal to southwesterly flow weather pattern remains in place across at least portions of the corn-growing region. Southerly winds in association with this pattern along with cold fronts and precipitation chances may lead to at least isolated and potentially scattered moth flights especially during the weekend. Low risks mainly focus along/south of I-80 west of Lake Michigan tonight and generally along/south of I-94 in lower Michigan as a thunderstorm complex along and south of a weak cool front develops in Kansas/Missouri and pushes east overnight into tomorrow. Southerly winds near and in advance of this system may result in some isolated moth flights. The best chance for more widespread migration during the next five days remains in the tomorrow night into Sunday time frame when south to southwest winds increase and spread north ahead of a cold front moving into the northern Plains. Moderate migration risks are predicted from along/east of I-35 in Iowa and Minnesota into Wisconsin, northern/central Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, lower Michigan, and also into southwest Ontario, Canada east of Detroit. Low risks extend north/east from there. Low risks then remain in the forecast across much of the corn-growing region for late in the weekend into early next week until a cold front passes through much of the area by Tuesday or Wednesday. Growers with crops at susceptible stages to damage need to prepare for the possibility of new moth arrival in the next several days, and monitor traps/scout fields as needed during this time.