The annual western bean cutworm moth flight continued for the third week. Counts have been very low as of July 10, with 31 of 68 monitoring sites reporting 1-9 moths per trap, according to Wisconsin’s Pest Survey Program.
The DATCP network of pheromone traps registered a total of 82 moths this week, compared to 54 moths during the previous week. The state cumulative count thus far is 161 moths in 68 traps, or 2.4 moths per trap. Moth activity is likely to increase markedly in the next two weeks (July 11-24) as 25% emergence of this year’s population occurs across southern and central Wisconsin.
Scouting corn plants should coincide with the late-whorl and pre-tassel stages. If egg masses and small larvae are found on 5% or more of the plants and control is warranted, the optimal timing for insecticide treatment is at 90-95% tassel emergence. This application timing increases the chance that the small newly-hatched caterpillars will be exposed to the insecticide.
Moth counts will be available for the next six weeks on DATCP’s Western Bean Cutworm Network page: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/WesternBeanCutworm.aspx
In other news, pressure from mid-season insect pests such as Japanese beetles, apple maggot flies, and corn earworm moths has increased in response to the hot early July weather. Learn more: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PestSurvey.aspx
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