As expected, the western bean cutworm was part of the problem. But what was this other interloper?
by BERNARD TOBIN
As the 2010 growing season progressed, DeKalb agronomist Bob Thirlwall knew he would be getting calls from growers asking him to help identify western bean cutworm (WBC).
The pest had invaded Michigan corn fields the previous year. Extensive press coverage and presentations at farm meetings had fuelled speculation that the insect, which can reduce yields by up to 30 bushels per acre under heavy pressure, was set to sink its teeth into Ontario’s corn crop.