Ecology and management of the Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn and dry beans

Abstract

The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a native North American pest that feeds mainly on corn and dry beans. The historical geographic range of the western bean cutworm covered the western Great Plains states, including Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Since 1999, the geographic range of the western bean cutworm has rapidly expanded eastward across the United States Corn Belt, causing significant and economic damage to corn and dry beans in parts of this region. This expansion has led to a resurgence of interest in this pest, particularly in areas where it has most recently caused damage. We summarize the ecology and biology of western bean cutworm and discuss options for scouting and management, with an emphasis in the expanded geographical range.