What is used to scout for Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) in corn?

The use of pheromone traps to scout for Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) in corn is effective because these traps specifically attract male moths using synthetic versions of the natural sex pheromones that females release. This method allows for the detection of adult moth populations, indicating the potential for egg-laying and subsequent larval infestations in the corn fields. By monitoring the catch in pheromone traps, farmers and pest managers can determine the timing of management interventions and estimate potential crop damage.

This approach is particularly advantageous because it provides an early warning system for the presence of WBC, allowing for timely pest management decisions. It also avoids the labor-intensive and less effective techniques associated with other scouting methods, such as visual inspections of stems or leaf analysis, which do not target the adult stage directly. Soil sampling is not relevant in this context since WBC is primarily scouted based on the presence of adult moths and their subsequent reproduction in the corn crop.