Corn Earworm
Low corn earworm migration risks continue in the forecast on a nightly basis right into next weekend as a rather persistent weather pattern keeps southerly winds and warmer than average temperatures in place especially across the western half or so of the corn-growing region. Influences from a weak tropical system in the Carolinas and a blocking pattern across the central United States keep migration risks in the forecast, albeit weak but still pretty impressive nightly risks given the latest stages of the growing season. Low risks remain in place tonight into tomorrow mainly along/west of the Mississippi River, with virtually the same area under risks tomorrow night into Thursday, as well. Some nudging of the risk to the east into Wisconsin and Illinois is predicted by late week or the weekend, but the overall pattern becomes messier by then and we are not confident enough to significantly change the risk or continue with an eastward expansion at this point. Fresh market and processing growers are largely the only producers left that may continue to see pressure in their crops. Continued trapping and monitoring is encouraged as some late-season moth flights will remain possible the rest of the week and potentially into the weekend, as well.