By Adam Sisson and Tamsyn Jones, Corn and Soybean Initiative
Cutworm monitoring season is fast approaching — and the Corn and Soybean Initiative could use your help! In partnership with the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, the Initiative is once again helping coordinate the annual black cutworm (BCW) and western bean cutworm (WBC) monitoring networks in Iowa.
The program connects Iowa State with industry and farmer cooperators, who help monitor the arrival of cutworm moths — whose larvae feed on corn and can cause major yield loss when populations are high. The data helps Iowa State experts track pest activity, which in turn helps growers know when to scout and make treatment decisions.
• Black cutworm monitoring will begin April 1. To become a cooperator, e-mail bcutworm@iastate.edu. Cooperators will receive a trap kit in the mail with supplies, instructions and pest identification information. Traps will be similar to the one pictured below. The target sign-up deadline is mid-March to allow enough time for shipping. For more information, read this "Integrated Crop Management News" article.
• Western bean cutworm monitoring will start around July 1. To join the WBC network, e-mail wbcutworm@iastate.edu. ICM News has more information on the WBC trapping program and WBC monitoring summary for 2010.
Adam Sisson is a program assistant with responsibilities with the Corn and Soybean Initiative. Sisson can be contacted by email at ajsisson@iastate.edu or by calling 515-294-5899. Tamsyn Jones is communication specialist with the Corn and Soybean Initiative. She can be contacted by emailing tamsyn@iastate.edu or calling 515-294-7192.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on March 2, 2011. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
- Extension Specialist, Integrated Pest Management
- Crop Protection Network Communications