With the slow growth, no growth, or no emergence of the corn and soybean crop through the first half of May, insects in many cases have been able to keep up with crop progress. I like to use a chart from the Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Alfalfa Field Guide as a starting point to know what and when to watch for pest problems.
The scouting calendar is based on an average year. As you can see for both corn and soybeans we typically have some time to go before we are beyond the threat of insect pests. But this year we seemed to have moved up maybe two weeks on timing of insect appearance. Pests we have seen in May have been a few slugs, many flea beetle, and a few chewing caterpillars. We have European corn borer and corn rootworm as well as some anticipated bean leaf beetle to scout for in June. This year we will again scout for the emerging pest ? western bean cutworm. Consult the tables and walk your fields, don?t be content with just a windshield survey.
Even though many are now thinking that drones, aerial photography or maybe even satellites may take the place of scouting, it ain?t so. You still have to go to the field and look. Those tools may help pinpoint an area of greatest concern, but you still have to go to the field and get out of the truck. A digital copy of the Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Alfalfa Field Guide can be loaded onto your tablet or smartphone, and is available for $10: http://estore.osu-extension.org/Corn-Soybean-Wheat-and-Alfalfa-Field-Guide-PDF-P378.aspx
