More Black Cutworm Moths Than You Requested

It seems that black cutworm moths just keep coming.

It has been a big year for flights of black cutworm moths in Pennsylvania and other northern states; thus, it seems wise to recommend that corn growers should scout their fields for cutting damage in the coming weeks.

In the past week, we detected three more significant flights of black cutworm moths. These were discovered in Elk (near St. Marys), McKean (near Kane), and Potter (near Risser) Counties. Recall that Penn State’s Black Cutworm Monitoring Network previously detected “significant flights” of black cutworm moths at four locations, near Kutztown (Berks County), near Montoursville (Lycoming County), near Pine Grove Mills, (Centre County) and Wysox (Bradford County). The flights mean that these parts of the state are at a higher risk than usual for black cutworm damage, but given the generally high flights, we recommend that growers across Pennsylvania be aware of the risk of damage.

The degree-day accumulations for these sites with significant flights are available on the PA-PIPE and are listed below as of the end of the day on 19 May. Given the pace of degree-day accumulations and warm weather being forecast, it seems we will be very close to 300 degree days toward the end of the week or beginning of next week. Moreover, given the extend period over which we have been detecting moths, it may be that the window for damage from black cutworm will persist for another few weeks. We realize that corn planting has been delayed in some areas and it may be that late emerging corn seedlings will be at lower risk from black cutworm damage.

Recall that few Bt hybrids are that strong against black cutworm and insecticidal treatments do not protect well against this pest species. Scouting and rescue treatments are usually the most efficient and economical tactic for managing black cutworm. For more information, see our factsheet.

Source : psu.edu