Search

Regional Update: Sept. 15, 2021

September 15, 2021 9:50 AM
Blog Post

While the rains the end of August have helped to improve the dry conditions some across the state, the rains also brought along some strong winds and hail that caused some significant crop damage in parts of NE, EC, and SE Iowa by flattening cornfields and causing lodging in soybeans. Additionally, parts of NE Iowa also delt with some flooding. Common observations made in fields across the state include stalk rots and stalk integrity issues in corn and fall armyworms causing havoc in pastures and hayfields (and lawns).

Category: 

Fall Armyworm is a 2021 Late-Season Pest

September 2, 2021

Fall armyworm is native to tropical regions in the western hemisphere. It can only successfully overwinter in the southern US (Texas and Florida), but the adults are strong flyers and capable of long-distance migration to northern states. Multiple migration events are possible each summer, and adults can be found in Iowa from June to August. This year, they are more abundant in the Midwest than usual and are causing late-season issues. As the common name suggests, larvae can still be active in October. Droughty conditions favor their development.