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Wisconsin sees high count of black cutworm moths

Wisconsin farmers are being advised to watch for black cutworm damage once crops emerge. 

Krista Hamilton with the state’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says a substantial number of black cutworm moths were caught in pheromone traps in the week ending May 4^th, with the highest numbers found in Barron, Dunn, Chippewa, and Rusk counties.  The 50 traps had an average of 11.3 moths per trap last week, meaning farmers should expect a significant increase in cutworm egg laying.

Hamilton says the first moths were recorded in traps on April 8 this spring and the cumulative count as of May 4 is 733 moths. This total is more than two times higher than the 216 moths captured by the same time last year.  The highest numbers of trapped moths were in the Rice Lake and Bruce areas.

Hamilton says with the right conditions, the cutworm moths can travel from Texas to Wisconsin in only two days.