Insect Monitoring in Northeast Missouri

Insect monitoring is used as a pest management strategy to detect the presence and determine the level of pest infestations. Through the use of insect monitoring we can also predict future pest populations based on the biological knowledge for a particular pest and degree-day modeling. Insect models are triggered once insect captures reach intensive levels. Degree-day modeling is based on the number of days the actual average temperatures are above the minimum threshold for insect development and activity. By tracking degree days, the time at which pest presence and damage can be detected can effectively be pin-pointed. In northeast Missouri, the University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management Program coordinates insect monitoring on the following insect pests:

Black cutworm - Black cutworm is a sporadic early-season pest of corn in Missouri. The first intensive pheromone trap captures of black cutworm moths mark the arrival of the first significant migratory flight. This event triggers the degree-day model, which is used to predict first cutting by 4^th instar larvae. The goal of black cutworm monitoring is to decrease corn growers’ reliance on at-planting insecticide applications while protecting yields from economic injury.

European corn borer - The European corn borer is an important pest of corn in Missouri with three generations per year. This pest is monitored to determine when moth flights occur. Significant moth flights prompt scouting for European corn borer egg masses and trigger degreeday models.

Japanese beetle - Japanese beetles look like green June beetles, but are smaller at about 1/2-inch in length. The Japanese beetle is common to the eastern United States and has been known to be in Missouri for the past 70 year s in pockets in Springfield, Sedalia and western Missouri. The pockets have been growing over the last few years. We are monitoring for the presence of this pest in northeast Missouri.

Western bean cutworm - The western bean cutworm has predominately been a pest in the western corn belt, although over the past several years it has been moving east. The western bean cutworm is a late-season pest of corn, affecting both crop yield and quality. It feeds primarily on corn ears. We are monitoring for the presence of this pest in northeast Missouri.

Additional information on insect monitoring can be found at http://ipm.missouri.edu.