Pest alerts for black cutworm, true armyworm
University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management has issued its first pest alerts of the growing season.
MU Extension state field crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida says corn and wheat growers should be on the lookout for early season pests, including black cutworm and true armyworm.
Significant numbers of black cutworm moths have appeared in some regions, with predicted cut dates for the first week of May in Missouri. The cut date is the estimated date when black cutworm damage may be seen in the field. It is based on actual and estimated temperatures.
MU Extension specialists across the state monitor traps and count the number of pests. If numbers exceed certain levels, the IPM Pest Monitoring Network issues a text alert to subscribers.
PHOTO: True armyworm. (Greg Luce, MU Extension)
