Insect Alert For

Western Bean Cutworm

Risk Level:
Moderate Risk Level
Affected Area:
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Alert Details

Western bean cutworms continue to cause primarily scattered problems across the corn-growing region with the primary focus now shifting further north into the Great Lakes region and into southern Canada as heat unit accumulations and emergence percentages continue to increase as the growing season lengthens. The area of greatest concern now lies across lower Michigan east into southern Ontario, Canada where moth captures are expected to increase in scattered locations in the next week. Moderate risks are in place in this area as well as into far northern Indiana and Ohio where remaining flights further south may still be at peak levels but where they are likely to decline in the week ahead. Additional Moderate risks are in place across central and northern Wisconsin and also into Nebraska and far western Iowa where some scattered problems with this insect have been reported either in the form of increased moth captures and/or scattered treatment. More isolated problems are possible across the corn-growing region mainly north of I-80 from South Dakota, Nebraska, and northern Kansas to as far east as upstate New York and into Quebec, Canada. Growers with crops at susceptible stages to damage and also located in the Moderate risk areas are encouraged to continue to monitor trap captures and scout fields for egg masses and potential feeding.