Iowa State University’s IPM Team has monitored field crop pests for a long time. The pests have changed over the years, but our goal is the same: to help inform farmers about pest activity in Iowa. Our moth trapping efforts target migratory moths. Black cutworm monitoring is a long-standing project in Iowa, but we included true armyworm in the trapping network in 2017. Since timing of arrival is variable between growing seasons, trapping these pests helps us predict when injury will occur.
Past cooperators have helped us with our goal by establishing a trap location and reporting captures. In 2020, we want to include more Iowa cooperators to help us with black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW) trapping. Having more traps around the state helps us refine pest movement and estimate scouting/treatment windows. Cooperator responsibilities include:
- Assembling trap(s) according to instructions by April 1
- Properly identifying moths caught – a guide to identifying moths will be included
- Checking traps as much as possible
- Checking traps daily is ideal and gives us the most accurate information for developing scouting recommendations
- Checking traps every other day allows us to accurately assess significant BCW flights
- At minimum, we would like traps checked on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week
- Reporting moth captures as frequently as possible to generate up-to-date estimations of pest activity
- Moth trapping lasts for 2 months: we will begin on April 1 and end May 31
We will mail supplies and instructions to you in late March. We hope to have traps active April 1!
We have exciting news!
This year, the Iowa Moth Trapping Network has partnered with EDDMapS and Ag Pest Monitor to visualize trap capture data – a feature that has been frequently requested by our cooperators. Using a website to track these pests also allows us to establish long-term trends in pest movement. The maps generated from our data will be available to the public (including you!). Your privacy is important to us, so sharing your data and trap location will be optional on the website – you can even be an anonymous reporter if you wish!
Option 1) Sounds great, I’d like to try it!
If you are willing to establish a location in 2020 AND you would like to upload the data to Ag Pest Monitor yourself, please fill out this form by Friday, March 13. Please fill out the form TWICE – once for each trap (TAW and BCW). You will need:
- An active email account
- Site name – be as creative as you like, but remember that sites are public (unless changed to private)!
- We strongly recommend following the site name with “TAW” or “BCW” to avoid any confusion when entering data
- Exact site location (GPS coordinates) – this must be done for each trap type even if they are placed next to each other
In addition, please email bugtraps@iastate.edu with your mailing address (Street, City, Zip Code) for mailing the traps and contact information (name, phone number). We will also be sending out a protocol and helpful tips for using the website!
Option 2) I’m not interested, but you can upload the information for me!
If you are willing to establish a location in 2020 and have your data uploaded for mapping, but you are not interested in uploading the data yourself, please email bugtraps@iastate.edu by Friday, March 13 and include the following:
- Your contact information (name, phone number)
- Mailing address (Street, City, Zip Code)
- Site name – be as creative as you like, but remember that sites are public (unless changed to private)!
- Exact site location for EACH trap (GPS Coordinates)
* The site will be “owned” by one of the administrators (A.D. or E.H.), and your name will not be associated with the trap; however, the location will be public.
* If you would like the trap location private, please indicate that via email.
Option 3) I don’t want my data online, but I’d like to have a trap location.
If you are willing to establish a location in 2020, but you are not interested in having your data online, please email bugtraps@iastate.edu by Friday, March 13 and include the following:
- Your contact information (name, phone number, email address)
- Mailing address (Street, City, Zip Code)
- Site name (if desired)
- Exact site location (GPS coordinates) OR location description OR county where traps will be placed.
* We will keep your records for our use only and they will not appear online.
In your email, please be sure to indicate which option you choose. We appreciate your interest in joining the Iowa Moth Trapping Network. We look forward to working with you!
Black cutworm video: