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Ohio State University Extension

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Lep Monitoring Network Update #16 – WBC Numbers Continue to Decrease

The Ohio Lep Network is in our 16th week of monitoring for pests across Ohio. This week we will provide an update on Western bean cutworm (WBC), corn earworm (CEW), and both variations of European corn borer (ECB - IA & NY). This will be our last week reporting on WBC – many WBC traps are being replaced with fall armyworm (FAW) and we hope to provide an update for FAW starting next week.

For more information on these pests and many more, check out our website: https://aginsects.osu.edu

Western Bean Cutworm
This is our ninth week reporting on adult Western bean cutworm (WBC) populations across Ohio. In total, 16 counties monitored using 52 traps. All reporting counties across Ohio are below threshold numbers indicating the peak moth flight has passed and the majority of WBC egg masses have been laid (Figure 1).

Western Bean Cutworm Moth Map
August 14th- 20th, 2023

Figure 1. Average western bean cutworm moths (WBC) captured from August 14th - August 20th. The bold number on the left indicates the average number of moths captured. The second number on the right indicates the number of traps monitored in each county.

Corn Earworm
This is our eleventh week reporting on corn earworm (CEW) populations across Ohio. This week, 6 counties monitored for CEW, using 6 total traps. Brown county has the highest average this week with 10 CEW moths (Figure 2).

Corn Earworm Moth Map
August 14th- 20th, 2023

Figure 2. Average corn earworm moths (CEW) captured from August 14th - August 20th. The bold number on the left indicates the average number of moths captured. The second number on the right indicates the number of traps monitored in each county. Scouting should occur when your county has an average of 7 or more moths.

European Corn Borer
This is our thirteenth week reporting on European corn borer (ECB – IA & NY) populations across Ohio. This week, 6 counties have been monitoring ECBs using 14 total traps, 7 traps for the IA variant, and 7 for the NY variant. Overall there were not ECB-IA moths (Figure 3) and Hardin county was the only county to report ECB-NY, with an average of 2 (Figure 4).

European Corn Borer (IA) Moth Map
August 14th- 20th, 2023

Figure 3. Average European corn borer (ECB - IA) moths captured from August 14th - August 20th. The bold number on the left indicates the average number of moths captured. The second number on the right indicates the number of traps monitored in each county.

European Corn Borer (NY) Moth Map
August 14th- 20th, 2023

Figure 4. Average European corn borer (ECB - NY) moths captured from August 14th - August 20th. The bold number on the left indicates the average number of moths captured. The second number on the right indicates the number of traps monitored in each county.

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.