The University of Kentucky reported a dramatic increase in the number of Black Cutworm moths caught in traps for the week ending April 26.

A seed corn dealer here in Butler County, Ohio called on April 29 to say one of his customers in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Harrison, had reached the economic threshold of 3 percent of the two leaf corn cut. The seed had been treated with Poncho 250, and there were dead larva; but because the population of larva was large, the field needed to be sprayed.

Reports from south of Butler County can alert us to potential problems. The adult moth of this pest over winters in the Gulf States and usually arrives here about the time we start to plant corn.

They are attracted to fields with soybean residue and winter annual weeds. They lay their eggs on or near weeds. The larva feed on several weed species as well as corn.

Cutworm feed at night and hide during the day. They cut the plants at or near the surface. They feed on a plant and then leave it for the next one in a row. You will find several plants cut or wilted and then several unaffected plants as you walk down a row.

In 1983, when we had a severe drought, we had fields in June that were completely destroyed. In very dry conditions, cutworm feed underground where there is a little more moisture. When it is dry, the plant may be cut below the growing point.

The larva are much easier to kill when they are less than one inch in length. Early detection is a must. Treat when you have 3 percent of the plants cut or wilted and two larva per 100 plants.

There are many products which are labeled for control of cutworm. Ohio State has an excellent bulletin, “Control of Insect Pests of Field Crops,” which you can get online at: www.ohioline.osu.edu, or pick up at the Extension Office.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.