Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon)

We are still catching black cutworm in the pheromone traps across the state. If your corn is between V1 and V6 you should be scouting. Once the plant reaches V6 they do not cut the plants. Check the degree days for intense catches by location across the state below.

Information on Black Cutworm

https://cals.cornell.edu/field-crops/corn/insects-corn/cutworms

Field Crops Pheromone Trap Data Report

Black Cutworm Degree Day Accumulations to June 15, 2023

*Location for Intense Catches	Black Cutworm Degree Days (Base 50)	Life Stage
Seneca Falls Seneca County April 20	435	6th Instar Cutting Plants
Amenia Dutchess County April 28	441	6th Instar Cutting Plants
Seneca Falls Seneca County April 26	365	5th Instar Cutting Plants
Amenia Dutchess County May 3	437	6th Instar Cutting Plants
Seneca Falls Seneca County May 3	365	5th Instar Cutting Plants
Linwood NY Livingston County May 4	367	5th Instar Cutting Plants
Amenia Dutchess County May 10	406	4th Instar Cutting Plants
Charleston Montgomery County May 23	343	4th Instar Cutting Plants
Linwood NY Livingston County May 30	218	1st to 3rd Instar Leaf Feeding
Lowville Lewis County May 29	198	1st to 3rd Instar Leaf Feeding
Amenia Dutchess County May 31	202	1st to 3rd Instar Leaf Feeding
Ogden Monroe County 6/6/2023	107	1st to 3rd Instar Leaf Feeding
Castile Wyoming County June 13	31

*Intense Catch is over 15 moths in a week.

Black Cutworm Degree Days (Base 50 F) Lifecycle Growth Stages

Degree Days               Stage                           Feeding Activity

0                                  Moth Capture              Egg Laying

90                                Eggs Hatch

91-311                         1st to 3rd Instar           Leaf Feeding

312-364                       4th Instar                     Cutting Begins

365-430                       5th Instar                     Cutting Begins

431-640                       6th Instar                     Cutting Slows

641-989                       Pupa                            No feeding

Source: University of Minnesota Insect Pest of Corn-Stand Reducers Black Cutworm

Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica)

Alfalfa weevil has been reported over threshold in western NY this last week. Several fields were sprayed because they were infesting alfalfa regrowth. In most cases alfalfa weevil has or is near pupation. Once they pupate alfalfa weevil are not a problem for the rest of the season.

For more on alfalfa weevil please view the link to management information:

https://cals.cornell.edu/field-crops/forages/insects-forage-crops/alfalfa-weevil

Alfalfa Weevil Degree Day Accumulations from March 1 to May 15

Weather Station Location	Alfalfa Weevil	Life Stage
Arkport	542	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Bergan	590	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Canton	553	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Ceres	494	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Conesus Lake	581	Alfalfa weevils are cocooning and pupating. Feeding has stopped until next season.
Corwin	564	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Geneva	594	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Highland	802	Feeding has stopped until next season.
Ithaca	619	Alfalfa weevils are cocooning and pupating. Feeding has stopped until next season.
Kinderhook	718	Feeding has stopped until next season.
Lafayette	637	Alfalfa weevils are cocooning and pupating. Feeding has stopped until next season.
Laurens	513	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Northport	899	Feeding has stopped until next season.
Peru	570	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present
Red Hook	717	Feeding has stopped until next season.
Versailles	602	Alfalfa weevil are cocooning and pupating. Feeding has stopped until next season.
Watertown	493	Alfalfa weevil larvae are present

Alfalfa Weevil Life Stage Development

Growing Degree Days for peak (50%) occurrence of stage

Stage of Life Cycle	Degree Days *
eggs hatch	280
Instar 1	315
Instar 2	395
Instar 3	470
Instar 4	550
Cocooning	600
Pupa	725
Adult Emergence	815

*48 degree F base temperature

 

Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus)

Cereal Leaf beetle is still causing some issues in western NY. Make sure if you spray use the economic thresholds for the insect pest. You will save money as well as protect the parasitoid that helps control the pest. The parasitoid lays its eggs in the insect and kills it after it pupates. Over time it keeps cereal leaf beetle at low levels. When the pest is sprayed it also reduces the population of the parasitoid.

For more information on Cereal Leaf Beetle:

https://cals.cornell.edu/field-crops/small-grains/insects-small-grains