Pest scouting and use of economic thresholds continue to differentiate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from other approaches, particularly when applied over large acreages within a region such as the U.S. Corn Belt. A behavioral change in the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, referred to as variant western corn rootworm, enables significant oviposition in soybeans, alfalfa and wheat stubble, resulting in varying degrees of economic root injury risk to corn planted in the same field the next year. We documented variant western corn rootworm range expansion into Wisconsin, and identified affected and unaffected areas across nine southern Wisconsin counties. Corn rootworm IPM for first year corn is a novel construct for farmers in a newly affected region, both affected and unaffected areas exist during pest range expansion, and farmers have yet to establish habitual management practices for the variant. Farmers are seeking information from University Extension about relative efficacy and value of chemical control, transgenic Bt corn rootworm corn hybrids, and crop rotation, while questioning the need to treat first year corn prophylactically. A mail survey was used to determine whether there were differences in awareness, knowledge and perceptions of variant western corn rootworm pest status and self-assessed feasibility of IPM field scouting among farmers (n=213, 61% response rate) in both affected and unaffected areas. Information from this survey presents an opportunity for IPM researchers, extension educators and agricultural consultants to better understand and reassess farmer perceptions and needs related to IPM scouting and economic thresholds in field crop entomology.