Western Bean Cutworm
Western bean cutworms are emerging and the annual flight is well underway in portions of the corn-growing region. Trap captures really increased last week in portions of Nebraska, with peak flight likely occurring in southern and potentially into central portions of that state at this time. Additional primarily low captures were observed in the Great Lakes region but not at levels like last year. Given these factors, Moderate western bean cutworm risks continue in the forecast this week across far northern Kansas into Nebraska with Low risks across far northeast Colorado, northern Kansas, elsewhere in Nebraska, far southern South Dakota, far western Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, northwest Ohio, southern lower Michigan, and also into far southwest lower Ontario, Canada. An additional Moderate risk area is in the forecast by late week and next weekend mainly across northern Indiana but also into far northwest Ohio, and extreme southern lower Michigan as some more intense flights could be observed in that region but probably on a more isolated basis compared to last year. Growers should monitor traps and also scout fields, looking for egg masses and potential larvae from any recent flights.