Insect Alert For

Western Bean Cutworm

Risk Level:
Moderate Risk Level
Affected Area:
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Alert Details

The annual western bean cutworm moth flight continues, but is now focusing further north in the typical “hot spot” areas where this particular insect causes the most problems. Peak flight has largely subsided across the central Plains, but Moderate risks will remain in place for this week across western/central/northern Nebraska to account for lingering pressure in some areas. Moderate risks also continue in the Great Lakes region especially east of Lake Michigan across far northern Indiana and northwest Ohio, much of lower Michigan, and east into southern Ontario, Canada. The greatest pressure in this area is also focusing further north now across central/northern lower Michigan east into Ontario, but lingering pressure may still be found further south, as well. More isolated issues may still be possible across southern South Dakota, western Iowa, far southwest Minnesota, Wisconsin, central Indiana and Ohio, and further northeast into Ontario and southwest Quebec, Canada, as well. Growers should monitor fields for egg masses and potentially newly hatched larvae especially in fields that are attractive to western bean cutworms. The timing of treatment is critical, so regular scouting is recommended until the flight and/or crop stage has passed critical stages.