Spring Moth Trapping to Begin in April

The Insect Trapping Network provides real-time information to growers through Illinois during the growing season.  As in past years, our spring traps focus on black cutworm and true armyworm moths. During the summer months, our focus switches to corn earworm, European corn borer and fall armyworm.

We are currently looking for cooperators to monitor both black cutworm and true armyworm traps from April 1 – May 31. By placing traps around the state, we are able to provide information on pest populations as they move into the state and predict timing of potential injury. All traps and lures are provided and will be mailed to cooperators in late March.

Requirements for trapping:

• Set up traps provided.
• Check traps regularly. Ideally, we’d like traps to be checked every other day to help accurately identify significant moth flights, but checking on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week is acceptable.
• Identify moths caught in the traps. We will provide an identification guide to help.
• Report moth captures directly to the website or email counts for us to upload.
• If you are a previous cooperator, just let us know if you’d like to participate again. If you are trapping in the same location, your sites are already established on the website.

For more information or to sign up for trapping, please email Kelly Estes (kcook8@illinois.edu)