2023 University of Minnesota Cooperative Black Cutworm Trapping Network
For more information: https://z.umn.edu/bcw-reporting
May 31, 2023
Greetings:
Warm temperatures continued to speed cutworm larvae and corn development (Table 1). Some of the earliest planted corn is now in the 5-leaf stage. The larvae from all significant moth captures should be large enough to cut corn. Cutworms from April moth flights into the southern tier of counties should begin pupating late next week.
I received reports of black cutworm issues in southern MN sugarbeets, and conventional corn planted into rye in SC Minnesota. One of the trap cooperators, Greg Haubrich found many black cutworms in a weedy soybean field so don’t ignore signs of cutworm feeding on that crop. Trap cooperators had a significant impact on providing early warning for these infestations!
The offspring of other migrating moths have been observed as well. An economic infestation of variegated cutworms was observed in sugarbeets, and they are abundant in alfalfa at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton.
Remember my earlier comments on true armyworm flights this spring? High populations of small larvae have been found in grass hay ground, waterways, and other areas of dense grass in areas of southern Minnesota that received heavy rainfall. Pheromone traps in NW Minnesota detected the arrival of a large number of moths June 4-5. The potential for armyworm problems may not be limited to southern Minnesota.
Insect infestations vary greatly from field to field. Scouting will determine if a field is at risk for economic loss.
Many thanks to all of you that manned traps this year!
This project was supported, in part, by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn checkoff investment.
See more details here: https://extension.umn.edu/corn-pest-management/black-cutworm. A printable PDF along with previous reports can be found at https://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/research/ipm/bcw-network.
For TAW scouting and management tips see https://extension.umn.edu/corn-pest-management/armyworm.
Bruce Potter
University of Minnesota Extension IPM Specialist
University of Minnesota SW Research and Outreach Center
23669 130th Street
Lamberton, MN 56152
[email protected]
Cell: (507) 276-1184