Crop Insect Pest Update

The Statewide Pest Monitoring Network uses traps to monitor crop insect pest activity. The trapping is conducted by the University of Missouri Extension Specialists. You can use this site to monitor the trap counts of various pests that you are interested in. The data can be found at http://ppp.missouri.edu/pestmonitoring.

At the website, you can examine different pests, location and dates that most interest you. The data listed indicates the location, the trap count and the amount of days for which the count represents.

Currently, our local traps indicated some earlier black cutworm moth flights but light in numbers. We had some additional moths move in with the high winds from the southwest. However, again, these are light in number. In these situations, we may have areas in a field that attract moths and cause localized cutting. Monitor corn fields for any cutting activity and spray only if needed. We are fortunate in Northwest Missouri as other areas of the state had significant moth flights.

Also, growers may have used insecticide seed treatments, but the use of these products will not provide adequate control of black cutworm. Be sure to scout your fields.

Other pests one should watch for include white grub and wireworm. These insects feed below the ground. Often the plant will wilt and die. Examine the crown area of the plant for feeding injury.

Now also, is the time to monitor winter wheat and tall fescue for True Armyworm. True armyworm can also cause considerable damage by cutting wheat heads and stripping leaves from fescue. We have caught moths in traps but again low in numbers. However, be sure to scout as these insects can attack a field and leave other fields alone. Once in a field, they will move as a group.

If you have any fields that experience insect damage, please give us a call. This will help us to determine the extent of insect pest activity.

For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.