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Ohio State University Extension

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Lep Monitoring Network – Corn Earworm and Western Bean Cutworm # 11

Figure 1. Corn earworm moth. Photo credit: Curtis Young, OSU

This is our 11th week of monitoring moth pests in Ohio, and we are in our fifth week of monitoring Corn Earworm (CEW) and Western Bean Cutworm (WBC). Monitoring is reported for June 30th through July 6th. Over the past week we experienced a break in the rain and increased temperatures which resulted in low moth numbers for both CEW and WBC were reported. Please read below for more details.

This week we monitored 31 traps in 14 counties across Ohio. Similar to last week, there were low numbers of CEW (Figure 1) across the state with an average of 1.8 moths per county, except for one outlier of Muskingum who reported 12 moths (Figure 2). Overall, the statewide averages of CEW have remained low since the beginning of June.

More information on CEW can be found here:  https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-27/corn-earworm-field-corn-watch-molds

Corn Earworm Moth Map
Week #5
June 30th to July 6th, 2025

Figure 2. Average corn earworm (CEW) moths captured from June 30th to July 6th. The bold number indicates the average moth count for the week. The standard number indicates the total number of traps in that county.

Western Bean Cutworm

This week 17 counties monitored WBC (Figure 3) with a total of 26 traps. Thirteen counties trapped WBC this week, a stark increase from last week (only 3 counties reported). However, moth counts remain low with an average of 1.2 moths per county. Numbers of WBC may continue to increase in the coming weeks.

For more information on how to scout WBC please visit: Western Bean Cutworm | Ohioline

Western Bean Cutworm Moth Map
Week #5
June 30th to July 6th, 2025

Figure 3. Average Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) moths captured from June 30th to July 6th. The bold number indicates the average moth count for the week. The standard number indicates the total number of traps in that 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.