Corn is produced in every one of Kentucky’s 120 counties with western Kentucky having the most corn-producing acreage in the state. Field corn production in 2022 was 210 million bushels with a yield of 125 bu/acre (kyfoodandfarm.info). Approximately 915 acres were planted in sweet corn while over 1 million acres were planted in field corn. The 2023 Kentucky corn crop was at near record levels at 183 bu/acre (record is 192 bu/acre in 2021). This is the second largest corn crop on record (graincrops.ca.uky.edu). As such a valuable commodity, it is important to safeguard this industry from potentially damaging pests by conducting surveys that will allow for early detection and eradication.  

We will survey 15 corn fields using traps and lures that target four insect pests:  Old World Bollworm, Silver-Y Moth, False Codling Moth, and Small Brown Planthopper.  The traps will be in the corn fields from May to September.