Western Bean Cutworm Degree-Day

Jeff Bradshaw, UNL Associate Professor, Entomology

Jeff Cluever, UNL Graduate Research Assistant, Entomology

Gracie Keiter, UNL Student Intern, Entomology

One of the key pests in our region is the Western bean cutworm (WBC). WBC feeding can reduce the quantity and quality of dry bean and corn crops.

Typically, control is achieved with a foliar application of a pyrethroid. However, unnecessary or ill-timed insecticide applications of any pesticide can be detrimental to the environment, the health of the applicator, and/or the health of the crop. Thus, scouting your fields for WBC populations ma...