Validation of A New Western Bean Cutworm Flight Completion Estimation Method in New York State

Abstract

Western bean cutworm (WBC), Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a single-generation pest of corn and dry beans in North America. WBC is native to the Midwest United States but has moved steadily eastward in recent years, and is now considered to be a regionally-invasive pest in the eastern US, including New York State. The New York State Vegetable Research Advisory Council funded a project to develop a decision support model on NEWA (http://newa.cornell.edu) in 2017 using a new method for WBC flight prediction published by Hanson et al (2015). Model coding is complete and stakeholders, including vegetable and field crop Extension specialists, would like to utilize the NEWA WBC Flight Prediction model starting in 2020. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the underlying model that generates NEWA WBC flight predictions for precision and accuracy in NY. And, if necessary, make minor adjustments to best predict WBC flight completion for this region.