Cooperators sought for Insect Trapping and Field Surveys

We are starting to look for cooperators that are willing to place and monitor traps for black cutworm and true armyworm this spring and European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, and western bean cutworm this summer. We provide traps and lures. We ask cooperators to place and check traps several times a week, reporting trap catches to our site.

We will also be looking for cooperators to participate in our summer field surveys as well. This survey is done entirely by the Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program. Each year, we have conducted a corn and soybean survey, but will also be adding an invasive species component this year. As part of our CAPS program, there are several invasive corn and soybean pests that are a threat. Included in that list are the old world bollworm, Egyptian cottonworm, soybean gall midge, cucurbit beetle, brown marmorated stink bug, and kudzu bug in addition to western corn rootworm, soybean defoliators, and other pests. Tar spot of corn and bacterial leaf streak of corn will also be surveyed for.

If you are interested in learning more about either of these activities, please email Kelly Estes, kcook8@illinois.edu.