The annual western bean cutworm moth flight continues to intensify in the usual “hot spot” areas for this particular insect. Greater concern at this point is focused in the central Plains states, notably extreme northern Kansas into southern Nebraska where some traps are seeing rapid increases in moth captures, and where crop stage warrants a Moderate risk to start the week. As trap captures continue to increase and a higher percentage of the crop reaches into critical growth stages, a High risk has been issued in this same area with expansion of both the Low and Moderate risk in about every direction, with Low risks extending into Colorado, as well. Further east, across the southern Great Lakes, Low risks are found from Wisconsin into Indiana, Ohio, and southern lower Michigan as well as into southern Ontario, Canada, as the flight continues to increase but also where a smaller percentage of the crop is near critical growth stages. This is expected to change in the coming week or so, and Moderate risks are anticipated in some of these areas by no later than next week. Growers in or near a risk area should continue trapping and scouting efforts, and take a proactive approach to western bean cutworm issues as the treatment window is rather narrow to be most effective for this particular insect.