Introduction
The Ohio Lep Network is continuing to monitor moth pests across Ohio. This being our eighth week of monitoring, we are now beginning reports for Western bean cutworm (WBCW), as well as continuing to monitor for populations of corn earworm (CEW), and both IA and NY variants of European corn borer (ECB).
As mentioned in our recent Lep Network newsletters, monitoring for black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (AMW) for this season has come to a close. However, an increase in BCW is being seen, with an average of 5.5 insects in Van Wert County.
For more resources on these pests and many others, check out our website: https://aginsects.osu.edu
Cajoling the Corn Earworm
This is our second week monitoring the corn earworm (CEW). 10 counties across Ohio monitored CEW populations, using 18 total bucket traps. In total, 16 average moths were reported. The highest amount of CEWs in one trap was 20, and the trap was in Auglaize County.
The corn earworm is a common corn pest found across Ohio that feeds on corn, tomato, and certain legume fields, which leads to feeding damage, molds, and an increased threat from birds. The adult moths are drawn to corn fields in the early green silk stage to lay their eggs. They can vary in color and the majority of feeding damage is found at the tips of the corn ears. For more information about CEW check out a previous newsletter: https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-27/corn-earworm-field-corn-watch-molds
Corn Earworm Moth Map
June 19 – June 25, 2023
Exploring the European Corn Borer
This is our sixth week monitoring the European corn borer with 2 IA variants and 0 NY variants being reported June 19th – June 25th. In total, 9 counties across Ohio are monitoring for both ECB variants, using 33 total wing traps. The 2 ECB-IA insects were captured in Hardin County.
The European Corn Borer (ECB) is a common corn pest in Ohio that readily prohibits proper flow of nutrients within an affected corn stalk. ECB exposes the host plant to various problems including stalk breakage, ear drop, and reduction in corn yield. ECB is more commonly a later season moth, so we plan to see an increase in population numbers for both ECB variants in the coming weeks. For more information about European corn borers, please visit: https://aginsects.osu.edu/sites/aginsects/files/imce/ENT_15_14.pdf
European Corn Borer (IA) Moth Map
June 19 – June 25, 2023
Welcoming the Western Bean Cutworm
This is our official first week of monitoring for Western bean cutworm (WBCW) adults in our 2023 season. 14 counties across Ohio monitored WBCW populations using 46 total bucket traps. Most of the counties had 0 moths reported, but 2 counties reported an average of 0.3 and 0.5 WBCWs, Hardin and Muskingum counties respectively.
The Western bean cutworm is a common pest in the northwest and west-central area of Ohio. WBCW adults tend to emerge from late June to early July, so we expect an increase in numbers continuing in the season. Adult WBCWs vary in dark brown and black coloring, with a white stripe along the outsides of the forewing, a light tan colored dot inward of the stripe, and behind the dot should be a tan-colored boomerang (or crescent) like mark.
Western Bean Cutworm Moth Map
June 19 – June 25, 2023
