Western Bean Cutworm Moth Catches Climbing

Lots more WBC moths have been captured in Ontario in the last couple of weeks.   We have been having some technical difficulties with our online trapping system and some participants are still not entering their trap data or site information.  But from the data that we have been able to collect, I can say with confidence that we have accumulated at least 364 moths, as of early last week.  To put this in perspective, this time last year we had only captured 4 moths in our traps.  Moths have been captured from Essex county all the way into southern Quebec.

To view all of our Ontario and Quebec maps to date, click here.  I also created a map with the data we are able to use to show WBC Trap Counts by County up to July 3rd.

Michigan and Ohio are also breaking records.  Michigan has accumulated at least 3771 moths and Ohio has captured 927 so far.  Speaking with my NY colleague today, they have now caught moths as far east as Long Island New York.

What does this all mean?

Moth flight continues to increase.  They are apt to still be attracted to corn to lay their eggs but will prefer those fields not in tassel yet.   Scouting for egg masses in corn fields is advised.  Dry beans in regions where most of the corn is already in tassel may also be at risk.

I will write a blog tomorrow and a CropPest article for this week to provide you with all information needed to scout and manage your corn and dry bean crops for western bean cutworm.

2 thoughts on “Western Bean Cutworm Moth Catches Climbing

  1. Tracey numbers jumped up high this morning at my 2 traps 41 in one trap and 13 in the other
    will wait till end of the week to give a final count. I have had no moths previous to this.
    How many days from moth fly in to egg laying?

    1. Excellent question. They can lay eggs as soon as they arrive in the field or a few days later. It really depends on whether they arrive already mated or need to take sometime to find a mate and then lay the eggs.

      You are safe to assume that within the 4 to 5 days of catching moths, there may be eggs in your field. I can’t tell for sure if we have reached peak moth flight yet but we certainly are catching quite a few in many areas of the province.

      My best guess would be that we will hit peak flight in a week or two at the latest and therefore peak egg laying will be shortly after that.

      That is a guess though, since last year’s peak was not until August 10th. But this year’s activity is much sooner and more intense so I am confortable bumping that date up by a good 2 to 3 weeks. My crew is intensely monitoring for eggs this week and next and hopefully I can report on their results soon.

      Remember..anyone finding eggs, please please call us so we can collect them for trials here at Ridgetown.

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