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Although scattered black cutworm problems have been reported across north Missouri during the past two weeks, late infestations are prevalent in late planted corn in northwest Missouri counties. Black cutworm populations are favored by late planting and cool wet springs as has been the case this year. Several hundred acres of corn have required an insecticide rescue treatment or replanting during mid-May and continues on late planted corn at this time. Most black cutworm moths migrate into the state each spring to mate and lay eggs on winter annual weeds, crop stubble and even bare ground in some instances. Migrations of these moths often occur in waves correlated with storm fronts passing through the state from more southern states. Pheromone traps located throughout Missouri record moth captures and a model using trap capture information and weather data predicts when first cutting of field corn by black cutworm larvae will occur. Problems with this pest in late planted corn will decline as corn rapidly grows out of the seedling stages.

Wayne Bailey
BaileyW@missouri.edu