University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management issues pest alerts throughout the growing season.
MU Extension state field crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida says corn and wheat growers should be on the lookout for early season pests, including black cutworm and true armyworm.
MU Extension specialists across the state monitor traps and count the number of pests. If numbers exceed certain levels, the IPM Pest Monitoring Network issues a text alert to subscribers.
Growers can receive free IPM Pest Monitoring Network alerts when insect captures exceed certain thresholds. Go to tinyurl.com/yc2u5atp to sign up.
Significant numbers of black cutworm moths have appeared in some regions, with predicted cut dates for the first week of May in Missouri. The cut date is the estimated date when black cutworm damage may be seen in the field.
Black cutworm is a migratory pest in Missouri, likely from moths from the Gulf Coast or Mexico.
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