Insect Alert For

Corn Earworm

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

Low corn earworm migration risks are found in the forecast each of the next five nights as a fairly active weather pattern sets up. Prospects for a longer-duration southwest flow, including increased heat and some moisture, are increasing for next week which may lead to a persistent corn earworm migration risk in the forecast, albeit at a lower level given crop stage and presence of moderate to high numbers of moths already present in the risk area. Low risks are found mainly between I-35 and I-75 tonight into tomorrow morning as a low pressure system moves through the heart of the corn-growing area and drags a front east with it. This system should be decreasing in intensity as it moves east, but Low risks are maintained in the forecast to the east of I-57 tomorrow night and Sunday morning as there is a decent corn earworm moth population presently active in the mid-south and southern Midwest which may result in some isolated moth flights into the eastern corn-growing region. Looking ahead to next week, high pressure looks to become anchored over the eastern corn-growing region and Appalachian Mountains while low pressure remains in place across the High Plains and southern Canada. Such a pattern results in persistent south to southwest winds and increasing temperatures/moisture, and Low risks are in place starting Sunday night and continue through mid-week mainly west of I-35 from northern Kansas and western Missouri north into South Dakota, Minnesota, and eventually western Iowa. The source region is not the most favorable for larger-scale moth flights so only Low risks are in place at this time.