Lep Monitoring Network – News on Fall Armyworm (FAW), WBC and CEW, Update # 17

This past week was our 17^th week of monitoring for Ohio pests at the Lep Network; we began reports for the fall armyworm, continued reporting on the corn earworm, and are finishing out our last week of western bean cutworm scouting. As we have been discussing, the spike in fall armyworm pests can be cause for concern in counties with high averages, specifically in Wayne County who saw an average of 115 moths this week, and Van Wert County who reported 359 total moths with one trap hitting 178 FAWs.

Kick-off to Fall Armyworm 

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, a spike in fall armyworms was seen in a number of fields across Wooster in Wayne County. This sudden spike could be cause for concern for susceptible fields growing corn, sorghum, small grains, pasture grasses, and forage crops. We predict that FAW’s are currently pupating, so an influx of moths (Figure 1) is to be expected with a second round of larvae nearing the end of August. Counties participating in the Lep Monitoring Network have begun setting traps and have been monitoring for adults of this sporadic pest. While more counties will be adding their data in the coming weeks, we have a good idea of some moth averages across the state already.

This past week was our 1^st week monitoring for FAW in Ohio. The statewide average for FAW topped out at 9.84 for the week ending August 11^th. Counties with the highest averages are Wayne (115.0), Van Wert (59.8) and Putnam (19.3) (Figure 2). For more information on the fall armyworm, visit one of our previous articles: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0093

Figure 1. Fall armyworm (FAW) moth. Photo Credit: Lyle Buss, University of Florida, Bugwood.org

Fall armyworm moth map

Week 1

August 5^th to August 11^th, 2024

Figure 2. Average fall armyworm (FAW) moths captured from August 5^th to August 11^th. The bold number on the left indicates the average moth count for the week, followed by the standard number on the right which indicates the total number of active traps set up in that county.

Last Week for Western Bean Cutworm

This past week was our 8^th and final week monitoring for WBC in Ohio. Due to continuously low numbers, several counties have already decided to tear down their traps for the season. The statewide average for WBC increased slightly from 0.25 during the week ending on August 5^th to 0.75 for the week ending August 11^th. Counties with the highest averages are Sandusky (6.0), Paulding (4.5) and Hancock (2.7) (Figure 3). For more information on the western bean cutworm, see our previous article:  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-40

Western bean cutworm moth map

Week 8

August 5^th to August 11^th, 2024

Figure 3. Average western bean cutworm (WBC) moths captured from August 5^th to August 11^th. The bold number on the left indicates the average moth count for the week, followed by the standard number on the right which indicates the total number of active traps set up in that county.

Corn Earworm

This is our 10^th week monitoring for CEW pests in Ohio. The statewide average for CEW this past week has increased from 0.17 during the week ending on August 5^th to 0.22 for the week ending August 11^th. The only county with any reports was Morgan (5.0) (Figure 4). Reports for CEW will continue for ~2 more weeks. Expect to see much of the same as far as scouting goes. To learn more about the corn earworm, check out one of our previous newsletters: https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-27/corn-earworm-field-corn-watch-molds

Corn earworm moth map

Week 10

August 5^th to August 11^th, 2024

Figure 4. Average corn earworm (CEW) moths captured from August 5^th to August 11^th. The bold number on the left indicates the average moth count for the week, followed by the standard number on the right which indicates the total number of active traps set up in that county.