[8/23/2016] Unlike the past 2 years, where late-season Corn Earworm (CEW) immigration events have been late to less frequent, we have experienced several significant incoming flights this summer. Moreover, because the southern states that provide our source moths are reporting record high numbers in all key crops (sorghum, cotton, corn), the numbers we are seeing at most of our southern MN locations are above average to high. 

[8/10/2016] As with last week's catch at Rosemount and Blue Earth, Corn Earworm moth catch continues to increase at these locations. At Blue Earth, trap catch went up to 185 on 8/4 and 198 on 8/5. Also, noted in the Blue Earth graph, the flight this year is much higher than the past two years (essentially back to a more "normal" flight); this increase is not surprising given the recent Low pressure system that moved through the state. In brief, the Lows typically bring warm/humid air from southern states northward. As these fronts converge with a High pressure front, this typically results in a rainfall event, and facilitates both the movement (migration) of insects northward, and their deposition wherever these fronts converge; thus can be spotty depending on how the fronts converge, and over which states, etc.

[8/4/2016] Given recent trends in recent trap catches of CEW moths in pheromone traps, sweet corn now silking (early, peak and early brown silk) may be at risk to egg-lay, and should be scouted, and/or traps checked more frequently this week.