Insect Alert For

Corn Earworm

Risk Level:
Low
Affected Area:
Full page
Alert Details

Despite an expected active weather pattern across at least the western and central corn-growing region in the next five days, only Low corn earworm migration risks are predicted due to rather weak southerly wind speeds. No less than two low pressure systems are predicted to affect the central United States in the next five days, and as high pressure currently in the Great Lakes region moves east and southeast, southerly winds will have the opportunity to expand eastward across at least the western half of the corn-growing region in the next five days. A low migration risk is predicted overnight tonight into Thursday morning mainly west of a Joplin, Missouri to LaCrosse, Wisconsin line and into southern Minnesota and South Dakota as southerly winds increase across this region. The risk area shifts east for Thursday night and Friday morning as a cold front advances southeast through the Plains and into the upper Midwest. Fields as far east as Lake Michigan and into Illinois may see isolated moth flights occur during this time. Looking ahead to the weekend and into early next week, the primary risk area should stay focused mainly south of I-90 and generally southwest of the Great Lakes region as a frontal boundary becomes draped from west to east across the corn-growing region. Periodic rain episodes occurring along this front may serve as drop zones for any migrating corn earworm moths. The risk level, however, remains in the Low category due to less than optimal southerly wind speeds.