Iowa State University’s extension entomologists have monitored field crop pests for a long time. The pests have changed over the years, but the goal is the same: to help inform farmers about pest activity in Iowa. Our moth trapping effort targets black cutworm, which is a migratory moth. Since timing of arrival is variable between growing seasons, trapping black cutworm helps us predict when injury will occur.
Volunteers needed!
Past cooperators have helped us with our goal by establishing a trap location and reporting captures. Having traps around the state helps us refine pest movement and scouting/treatment windows. Moth trapping lasts for 2 months (April to June).
Cooperator responsibilities include:
- Assembling the trap according to instructions by April 1. We will mail supplies and instructions to you in March.
- Properly identifying moths caught – a guide to identifying black cutworm will be included.
- Checking the trap as much as possible:
- Checking daily is ideal and gives us the most accurate information for developing scouting recommendations.
- Checking 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.
How to get involved
Please email bugtraps@iastate.edu by Friday, March 6 and include the following:
- Your contact information (name, phone number).
- Mailing address (Street, City, Zip Code).
We will follow up with data reporting instructions before traps are shipped.
Considerations for trap placement
- Avoid heavily wooded areas, low areas, or spots next to structures.
- Place traps as far from intense night-lights as possible.
- Traps can be placed at the edge of a field.
We appreciate your interest in joining the Iowa Moth Trapping Network. We look forward to working with you! Please email bugtraps@iastate.edu if you have any questions.
Resources
Guide to moths in Iowa field crops: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/16352
Black cutworm video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=109&v=mfXn0zPV_oU&feature=emb_title
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 February 9, 2026. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
- Extension Specialist II
- Professor
- Extension Entomologist Specialist
- ANR Crops Team Leader