The only accurate method of determining if a field has problems is to scout the field. Scouting takes a little time, but can be very worthwhile. At each stop count a minimum of 20 plants and up to 50 plants. Add up all the damaged plants, keeping separate both the above and below ground damaged plants from all stops. Convert the numbers into percentages.
Black cutworm is just one harmful pest during the summer.
The Integrated Pest Management Unit, at the University of Missouri, specializes in crop pests. Each week the Unit publishes the IPM Newsletter , with timely information about field pests. The newsletter is weekly and published through the fall.