Moth flights into Iowa slowed down a bit during Week 7 (May 14 to May 20). Cooperators for the Iowa Moth Trapping Network reported 147 black cutworm (BCW) and 130 true armyworm (TAW) moths, with three new significant flights of black cutworm. More details on significant flights and cutting dates can be found in the resources below:
- Initial cutting dates for black cutworm
- Corn ipmPIPE website – find updated cutting dates on the 3rd map
Continue to scout cornfields for black cutworm until plants reach V5, and scout both corn and soybean for true armyworms. For both pests, prioritize fields with a cover crop or other green vegetation (i.e., weeds) this spring. You can find more information about identification and scouting for true armyworm here.
Week 7 report:
Moths of both species were reported every day last week, but most of the moths arrived early in the week. Three significant flights of black cutworm occurred: Floyd County (NC IA) on May 17, Washington County (SE IA) on May 18, and Hamilton County (NC IA) on May 19. Figures 1 and 2 show the Week 7 trap reports for true armyworm and black cutworm, respectively.
Follow the links to see the report from Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, or Week 6. You can also track moth flights and black cutworm significant flights for Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin at https://corn.ipmpipe.org/insects/.
Surrounding states also monitor and report BCW and TAW captures. If you live near the state border, it may be beneficial to check these resources periodically. More resources may be available than what is listed here:
Ashley Dean Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Specialist II
Ashley is an education extension specialist for field crop entomology at Iowa State University. She coordinates the Iowa Moth Trapping Network, the Regional Corn Rootworm Monitoring Network, and the Iowa Pest Alert Network. She also develops educational resources for field crop pests in Iowa and ...