SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (RFD News) — As the corn crop advances through key growth stages, growers are being encouraged to watch for an early surge in cutworm activity.
University of Nebraska Extension entomologist Dr. Pin-Chu Lai says cutworm flights are running early this season.
“This year, everything’s early, and it’s highly recommended that everyone — corn and dry bean growers — go out and scout now.”
Lai says timing is especially important when scouting fields.
“The most vulnerable stage will be late whorl to tasseling. If that coincides with egg hatching, that will entirely increase those larvae’s survival because once they hatch, they will be moving on to the tassels to feed.”
She also encourages growers to know which Bt traits are in their hybrids, noting older traits are no longer active.
