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Agronomic Crops Network

Ohio State University Extension

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Numbers of Black Cutworm and True Armyworm Moths Increasing but Remain Relatively Low

Over the past few weeks, we have caught an increasing number of both black cutworm and true armyworm moths in our traps (see https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yl_FeI5IJKkBVfdvKJuE6pWkd58OVhCyHeZ6SZM-ePE/edit?usp=sharing ). While our weekly total may be high (119 for true armyworm, and 111 for black cutworm) the numbers are much lower when we look at the number of moths caught per trap and per day.  Most of our traps are reporting far less than 2 moths trapped per day.  Of course, these traps only indicate that flight is occurring.  As we progress through the season, growers should continue to monitor these counts and check both corn and wheat fields for any early appearance of feeding or damage.  On wheat or a rye cover crop, look for evidence of defoliation. Armyworms can often be found on the ground underneath debris and its best to look for them on cloudy days, or during dusk/dawn.  Black cutworms are more difficult to spot, so look for the presence of corn that has been cut, or holes near the based of the plant.  See our fact sheets at our webpage (https://aginsects.osu.edu/home, under Extension Publications).

Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.