Corn Earworm
Corn earworm migration risks are back in the forecast and will remain through the next five days, at least, with Moderate risks now predicted for portions of the northern corn-growing region by the weekend. Low pressure is expected to develop and organize in southern Canada over the next few days, and as high pressure slowly drifts to the east through the Ohio River valley and eventually into the eastern United States, southerly winds will once again increase as will the heat and humidity. Low risks are initially predicted tonight into tomorrow across the Plains states, mainly west of I-35, and as far north as into eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Low risks then expand east into the Mississippi River valley tomorrow night into Friday as southerly winds increase in this area. By the weekend, high pressure does appear to remain fairly stout in the eastern corn-growing region and eventually into the Appalachians or eastern United States, so southerly winds should be stronger along/west of Lake Michigan. Given a consistent signal for persistent southerly winds and occasional storm clusters providing an area for insect drop-out, we have introduced a Moderate migration risk focused on the I-80 and I-90 corridors from northern/central Iowa and southern Minnesota east into Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and eventually by Sunday into Monday northern Indiana into southwest lower Michigan, as well, with Low risks as far east as I-75. Growers should prepare for the possibility of additional moth flights at this time, in addition to continuing to check traps and scout fields as some flights may have also occurred this past weekend, as well.

