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Sweet Corn Newsletter Managing
Insect Pests Introduction There are three major insect pests of sweet corn in New England: European corn borer, corn earworm and fall armyworm. All spend their adult life as moths, but the damaging stage of the insects are the larvae or caterpillars, commonly referred to as "worms," which feed on the leaves, stalks and ears of the corn plants. Of the three species, only European corn borer can successfully overwinter in most of New England. Moths of the corn earworm and fall armyworm fly into New England from southern states during the summer. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies developed for these insects are designed to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of control programs while reducing amounts of pesticides used and increasing profitability. An IPM program consists of 1) monitoring the populations of the major pest species in each field; 2) using action thresholds based on pest populations to determine when a spray should be used to control a pest; and 3) when possible, using an effective and safer alternative to reduce pest populations. In the past, pest control has largely been accomplished by applying pesticides according to the stage of growth of the plants (e.g. tassel or silk) with little or no regard to actual pest populations in a field. By monitoring fields for pests and injury, and using action thresholds to decide when to spray, the amount of pesticides used is often significantly reduced, and the amount of corn lost to insects is also reduced, leading to a higher profit margin for the crop. |
Managing Insect Pests of Sweet
Corn Authored by and photographs by James F. Dill, Extension pest management specialist and David T. Handley, Extension vegetable and small fruit specialist. Revised April, 1996. Replaces Vegetable IPM Fact Sheet 401, Monitoring for Sweet Corn Pests, Bulletin #5401. Where brand names are used it is for the reader's information. No endorsement is implied nor is any discrimination intended against products with similar ingredients. Always consult product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks. |
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