Sweet corn farms are being monitored around Virginia for the two most important pests attacking the ears, corn earworm and fall armyworm.  Moth Trap Catch Data are being recorded by:  Katlyn Catron & John Few (Montgomery Co.); Jason Cooper (Rockingham Co.); Ursula Deitch (Northampton Co.); Helene Doughty (Accomack Co. & Virginia Beach); Kenner Love (Rappahannock Co.); Laura Maxey Nay (Hanover Co.); Steve Pottorff (Carrol Co.); Stephanie Romelczyk  (Westmoreland Co.); Laura Siegle (Amelia Co.); Rebekah Slabach (Halifax Co.); and Mark Sutphin (Frederick Co.).

This week we have still not seen the fall armyworm flight yet in VA.  A few moths were caught on the Eastern Shore of VA and a couple other locations, but generally they are not in Virginia yet from their migratory flight from the south each summer.  For corn earworm, trap catch of less than 1 per night means relatively low pest pressure and sprays can probably be spaced 5-6 days apart during silking.  However, a catch of >1 or >13 moths per night means moderate and high pest pressure, respectively and a more frequent spray interval (every 3 or 2 days) is justified.  Trap catch increased to high levels on several farms this week throughout the state including Northampton Co., Virginia Beach, Page Co., and Montgomery Co.

Here are the trap catch results (moths per night) for several locations around Virginia for this week (note we do not have data for all locations):