Because of these cutworm observations, fields in Cedar, Keokuk, and adjacent counties should be scouted now. All other counties south of Interstate 80 should be scouted May 23 or May 27, as predicted in last week's newsletter. Scouting of seedling corn near the first cutting date is the only reliable method to determine if a problem exists. Then, insecticides can be applied if needed. Begin walking the field a couple of days before cutting is predicted.
Problems are more likely to occur in fields with spring weed growth or in soybean stubble.
Look for cutworm injury on corn leaves. Dingy cutworms also feed on young corn leaves, but rarely will they cut corn. If leaf feeding is found, try to find the cutworms to determine whether they are blacks or dingys. If you find only dingys, then you shouldn't have a cutting problem. If you find only leaf feeding and only black cutworms, then mark off 100 plants in a row with stakes or flags and scout these same plants for cutting over time.