Moth Trapping Network 2025 Update 4

Content Author: Rebecca Vittetoe

Compared to the previous weeks, the week of May 4 – May 10, 2025 was a much quieter week for both black cutworm and true armyworm moths across the state.

A total of 61 black cutworm (BCW) moths were reported last week, with no significant flights being reported. We have shared our predicted black cutworm cutting dates based off the significant flights that had previously occurred and growing degree days. You can check out those predicted cutting dates in this ICM News

Figure 1 below shows where moth traps are established throughout Iowa and summarizes black cutworm moth trap captures by county. 

Map of black cutworm moth reports across the state of Iowa for May 4 - May 10, 2025 by county.
Figure 1. Black cutworm moth captures from May 4 – May 10, 2025. The bigger and bolded number indicates the total moth count for the week (for counties with multiple sites, only the site with the highest weekly moth count is reported. The smaller number in parenthesis represents the season-long total black cutworm captures in that county. Data is current as of May 10, 2025.  

 


For true armyworms, 39 total moths were reported over the last week. Figure 2 below shows where the traps are established, and true armyworm moth trap captures by county. 

Map of true armyworm reports across Iowa for May 4 - May 10, 2025 by county.
Figure 2. True armyworm moth captures from May 4 – May 10, 2025. The bigger and bolded number indicates the total moth count for the week (for counties with multiple sites, only the site with the highest weekly moth count is reported. The smaller number in parenthesis represents the season-long total black cutworm captures in that county. Data is current as of May 3, 2025.  


 


Follow the links to see the firstsecond, and third moth trapping network updates for 2025. You can also track moth flights, black cutworm significant flights, and projected cutting dates for Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin on https://corn.ipmpipe.org/insects/. Iowa’s data is now included on this website! 

Surrounding states also monitor and report black cutworm and true armyworm 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:

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 May 12, 2025. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.