Corn earworm moth activity has increased a lot here at TAREC in the last week.  We are finally seeing what may be the largest flight of the summer.  In spot checking fields, we are finding worms in some, mostly only in the late planted fields that are still flowering.  I get a lot of feedback from growers and others that are checking fields and so far, most have reported almost no worms.  A few fields have hit threshold and were treated.  With this increased moth activity, it is important to focus scouting efforts on fields that still have susceptible pods—seed filling in the pods.  Full season fields that have full pods that are beginning to yellow will not be attractive to late season corn earworm, or stink bug infestations.  Keep checking late planted fields for at least another 3 weeks.

The number of moths surviving the pyrethroid AVT (Adult Vial Test) is hanging at about 30-40 percent.  These are not extreme numbers, but do still indicate some issue with those products.  I still think you can probably get by with a high pyrethroid rate if a field is only at threshold or a little above.  If a heavy infestation is found, definitely tank mix a non-pyrethroid.