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Scout for black cutworm moths in southwest Minnesota

An integrated pest management specialist is cautioning farmers in southwest Minnesota to watch for black cutworm moths.

Bruce Potter tells Brownfield this species is potentially devastating to newly planted corn because it can cut the plant below the growing point.

“We’ve had some flights into Minnesota; it’s not the whole state.  But if you take a diagonal from the very southwest corner and run it up towards Hutchinson, that’s where the bulk of the activity has been occurring.”

He says there are fewer moths being trapped to the north and west.

The problem for many growers in the southwest corner of the state is that planting is generally behind.

“Once these fields are tilled and planted, they’re less attractive to the moths.  So it’s unfortunate that these areas that are a little bit delayed in planting are a lot of times the areas that get most of the flights.”

The University of Minnesota has a black cutworm reporting page that tracks the movement of the pest.