Cutworm Alert ! Inspect Corn Seedlings ASAP

           

Cutworms are causing widespread damage to corn seedlings and producers
should inspect their corn fields now.

It appears that black cutworms went west this year such that we were not able to catch
black cutworm moths in our light traps that are mainly located in the eastern part of SD.

Black cutworm moths migrate into SD from southern states in April.  They are attracted
to wet and grassy fields where they deposit their eggs onto.

To my knowledge, this is the first time that black cutworms have been seen as far
west as Lyman County.  All corn growing areas statewide must be inspected.

Bob Fanning (Lyman County Agronomy Educator) went to a corn field damaged
by black cutworms this afternoon (5-30-03) and sent the images below.

                       

Reports of cutworm damage to seedling corn are coming from Edmunds County,
Highmore, Pierre, Wessington Springs, Alpena, Lyman County, Irene, and Scotland.

Larvae of black cutworms can be very damaging because they cut the corn growing
points from under the soil.  Wilted seedlings, scattered pieces of leaves, and small
holes on leaves are common signs of black cutworm infestation.

Cutworms are active at night and hide under loose soil during the day.  Scouting
during the day involves scratching the soil surface to expose hidden larvae.

Producers should consider insecticide treatment if 5 percent (one in 20) of the
seedlings show signs of cutting or leaf feeding, and if the larvae are still less than
an inch long.

Insecticides labeled for use against cutworm larvae on corn as seedling foliar
sprays include:

Growers who planted hybrids with the Herculex I Bt gene should be well protected from
black cutworm damage.  All other corn hybrids are susceptible to black cutworm damage
and must be scouted ASAP.

 Last Updated on Friday, May 30, 2003 by Mike Catangui.