Scout corn now for black cutworm and rootworm threats

May 27, 2024

By Farms.com

As June approaches, farmers should be vigilant against insect pests in their cornfields. The University of Illinois Extension identifies two key threats: black cutworm and western corn rootworm.

Black cutworm larvae are now large enough to inflict significant damage by cutting down corn plants. Scouting is crucial, especially in fields with poor winter weed control. Look for cut plants and check the surrounding soil for larvae with a characteristic sheen. If 2-5% of plants are cut with larvae present, consider an insecticide application.

Western corn rootworm egg hatch is reaching its peak in Illinois. Root feeding by these larvae is expected until late June. Planting delays can reduce rootworm threats as hatched larvae may not find established roots. However, root feeding damage will be evident in a month, allowing farmers to assess control effectiveness.

The western corn rootworm's ability to adapt to control methods necessitates monitoring field performance to determine the best future strategies. This pest has historically caused significant economic damage to corn crops.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.