Western Bean Cutworm
The annual western bean cutworm moth flight is winding down for the 2024 growing season in most areas, although some lingering concerns remain especially in northern Wisconsin and portions of central lower Michigan eastward into southern Canada. These areas are maintaining a Moderate risk in the forecast for now, but we anticipate further trimming of this risk area in the coming weeks as the flight continues to subside and also as crops advance past critical growth stages for this insect. Lingering Low risks are found in northeast Colorado and Nebraska as well as into southeastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, and western Iowa as the flight is largely over in this area, but where some later planted or re-plant fields may still be at some degree of risk. Growers with crops still at a susceptible stage to western bean cutworm damage and located in or near a risk area should continue scouting efforts until the crop has advanced past critical growth stages for this growing season.