On another note, adult western bean cutworm trap counts are declining, having past their peak for the summer. But scouting is still relevant as the later moths continue to lay their eggs. Counties near Lake Erie have had particularly high trap counts. Threshold populations on corn plants should be treated before larvae have a chance to enter the plants. To scout for eggs or larvae, choose at least 20 consecutive plants in 5 random locations and inspect the uppermost 3–4 leaves for eggs, as well as the silks for larvae if tassel has emerged. Be sure to inspect different areas of the field that may be in different growth stages. For field corn, if 8% or more of the plants inspected have eggs or larvae, consider treatment. For sweet corn, consider treatment if eggs or larvae are found on >4% of plants for the processing market or on >1% of plants for fresh-market. Find more information at:
http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-40