What Insects to Watch For the Rest of the Season, and Lep Monitoring Network # 17

Lepidoptera Monitoring

Our 17^th week of monitoring moth pests in Ohio ran from August 4^th and August 10^th. While we still have a few remaining traps set for western bean cutworm and corn earworm, this newsletter only reports fall armyworm (FAW) since most of the counties have switched to this trapping.  This week, 10 counties monitored for FAW.  The grand average across the state has ticked upward from last week.  Though still low overall, it’s worth noting that every county reported at least some FAW moth capture.  The highest count trap was in Henry County, with 104 moths captured.  It’s also worth noting that there is a lot of variability by location – the second trap in Henry County caught only a couple of moths.  County averages are reported below.

The overall message is that FAW moths are present, and possibly locally high in places, so awareness/scouting is advised.  These moths will lay the eggs that produce a generation of feeding caterpillars.  Feeding damage is most likely in grasses, turf, and alfalfa/forages.  For more information on FAW biology and management, visit our factsheet at https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0093

What Else to Watch For

August

• Especially in areas that have been dry, watch for potato leafhoppers in alfalfa.

• Defoliators and stink bugs in soybean tend to ramp up in August so keep these on your radar screen

• Spider mites can strike many different crops during periods of sustained hot a dry weather, which can happen at any time of year but happens most commonly in August.  There are several newer miticides on the market which are very effective when used timely.

 September

• Due to chaotic planting season, some soybeans will be maturing much later than others. If you have late-planted soybeans that are still green in September when other beans are maturing, they will be a magnet for both stink bugs and bean leaf beetles.  Bean leaf beetles feeding on foliage are seldom a problem earlier in the season.  But pod feeding on late-season beans holds more damage potential, through direct damage to the seed and also through the introduction of disease.  Stink bugs pierce and feed directly on the seed, causing quality problems and yield loss.

• When planting winter wheat, be mindful of the fly-free date for your county.  Planting after this date can help minimize damage from Hessian fly and also feeding by aphids which can transmit disease, especially barley yellow dwarf virus

Fall Armyworm Moth Data

Week #3

August 11^th to August 17^th, 2025