Black cutworm traps across Iowa have been capturing migrating moths for several weeks. Pheromone traps are valuable tools in integrated pest management, but they have limitations. The traps only tell you that the insects are in your area; they do not report in which fields the insects have laid their eggs. Where moths lay their eggs will be influenced by environmental and agronomic factors such as weed cover, tillage, the date the crop is planted and previous crop residue, etc. The bottom line is that once adult black cutworms are forecast to be in your area, you must scout your fields to determine if there are larvae present and if they are “cutting” your corn plants. If there is sufficient cutting then controls should be applied
