invasive

New invasive pest threatens corn growers in Pennsylvania

A new invasive pest recently found in Pennsylvania could mean serious losses to corn growers in the state.

Western bean cutworm (WBC) was first trapped in July 2009 in Erie and Lycoming counties and has also been found recently in low numbers in Forest, Clarion, Washington, Franklin, and Tioga counties, said John Tooker, assistant professor of entomology at Penn State. "WBC has historically been a pest of corn and dry beans in Great Plains states, but in recent years it has been expanding its range eastward for some unknown reason. This is the first time we've captured WBC in Pennsylvania." (more)