Evaluation of Foliar Insecticides for the Control of Western Bean Cutworm in Field Corn, 2016

The western bean cutworm (WBC) is an important pest of corn and dry beans. In addition to yield loss due to direct feeding on developing kernels in the ear, WBC infestation can also lead to secondary fungal infections. This study was conducted within the historic range of WBC in western Nebraska; however, it has undergone a rapid range expansion into the eastern Corn Belt within the last 16 years. This field trial was established to evaluate the efficacy of a single application of foliar insecticides against this pest to prevent feeding damage to non-Bt corn ears. The trial was located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Stumpf International Wheat Center in Perkins County, Nebraska, USA (40.856805° N, –101.701594° W). A RCB design with 10 treatments (including an untreated check) and 4 replications was used. Each plot was eight rows by 35 ft. The trial was planted on 13 May using a small plot research planter at 32,000 seeds/acre at an approximate depth of 1.4– 1.75 inch in 30 inch rows. The hybrid planted was DKC62-95 (Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) non-Bt with RR2 herbicide tolerance. The plots received irrigation, fertilization, and weed management inputs following standard agronomic practices for the region, with no insecticide applications other than the experimental treatments