Lep Monitoring Network Update #17 – Fall Armyworm Monitoring Starting Across Ohio

Introduction

The Ohio Lep Network is in our 17^th week of monitoring for pests across Ohio. This week we will provide an update on fall armyworm (FAW), 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).

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

Fall Armyworm

Starting this week, we have added monitoring for the fall armyworm (FAW) to our Lep Monitoring Network. The FAW is a pest of field crops and turfgrass typically every 3 – 5 years in Ohio. Adult moths will be monitored using green bucket traps with a pheromone lure. Many traps were set last week and/or are being set this week. We plan to monitor for FAW adult moths until the end of September. To learn more about the fall armyworm moth, click here: https://aginsects.osu.edu/news/fall-armyworm-monitoring-begin

Our first week of FAW monitoring resulted in low numbers, except for Hardin County – which had an average of 20.5 moths and Lucas County with an average of 9. Eleven counties monitored 31 traps, with an overall statewide average of 2.8 moths.

Fall Armyworm Moth Map

August 21^st - 27^th, 2023

Figure 1. Average fall armyworm (FAW) moths captured from August 21^st - August 27^th. 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.

Western Bean Cutworm

This is our 9^th and final week reporting on adult Western bean cutworm (WBC) populations across Ohio. In total, 8 counties monitored using 30 traps. All counties reported averages less than 3 (Figure 2).

Western Bean Cutworm Moth Map

August 21^st - 27^th, 2023

Figure 2. Average western bean cutworm moths (WBC) captured from August 21^st - August 27^th. 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 12^th week reporting on corn earworm (CEW) populations across Ohio. This week, 11 counties monitored for CEW, using 20 total traps. Lucas county had the highest average with 13 CEW moths (Figure 3).

Corn Earworm Moth Map
August 21^st - 27^th, 2023

Figure 3. Average corn earworm moths (CEW) captured from August 21^st - August 27^th. 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 14^th week reporting on European corn borer (ECB – IA & NY) populations across Ohio. This week, 9 counties monitored ECBs. Overall there were two counties reporting ECB-IA moths (Figure 4) and no reports of ECB-NY (figure not included).

European Corn Borer (IA) Moth Map

August 21^st - 27^th, 2023

Figure 4. Average European corn borer (ECB - IA) moths captured from August 21^st - August 27^th. 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.