In Nebraska, NTV reported that The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension is investigating methods to combat the western bean cutworm, a significant threat to corn and dry bean crops.
Vojin Miloevi, an agroecosystem entomology research intern, explained that while the cutworm does not directly kill plants, it can cause yield losses of up to 40%. The pest is prevalent across the state, prompting UNL to explore new control methods, including the use of pathogenic nematodes. These parasitic roundworms act as natural predators to the cutworm. “They’re pest for our pest, like predators,” said Miloevi.
Nematodes, which are microscopic and transparent, have been used to control other pests like grubs. UNL is currently testing their effectiveness against the cutworm. “We have some commercial product, but we test how much good they work,” said Miloevi.
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Category: Food & Agriculture
