Western bean cutworms captured

The western bean cutworm is a mid-season pest of field corn that was rarely seen in Iowa before 2000. But during the past two summers injury has become more obvious and widespread. Most of the historical infestations have occurred in northwestern Iowa. In 2001, the injury was more widespread, occurring not only throughout the northwestern counties but also in the southwestern counties (Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Mills) and northeastern counties (Bremer and Butler). Some fields had approximately 95 percent of the ears heavily damaged from the larvae