The curious phenomenon often referred to as the "twisted whorl syndrome" is beginning to show up in some fields in recent days. This "problem" often occurs when young corn shifts quickly from weeks of slow development (cool, cloudy weather) to rapid development (warm, sunny weather). Earlier planted corn has certainly experienced such a change in weather conditions in recent weeks. The occurrence of the twisted whorl syndrome is not uncommon, but rarely affects a large number of fields in any given year or a large percentage of plants within a field.

Capture of black cutworm moths in the IPM traps has been above the rolling five-year average for the last several weeks.