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European Corn Borer

Identification- When fully grown, European corn borer larvae are 3/4 to 1 inch in length and creamy-white to pink in color. The larval head capsule is dark brown and, on top of each abdominal ring or segment, there are several small dark brown or black spots. Pupae vary from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch in length, are torpedo in shape, and range in color from reddish-brown to dark-brown.

The moth has a wingspan of about one-inch, with the female being slightly larger than the male. The wings are dusky-yellow in color and bear transverse, irregular, olive-green bands.  Although similar in appearance, male wings are often darker in color.

Adult females typically European corn borers lay 15 to 30 eggs in masses and may lay up to 500 eggs over their lifetime. Egg masses usually are laid on the underside of corn leaves and are about 3/4 of an inch in diameter.  Egg coloration changes from white to a creamy translucence during  capsules of the young development. Immediately before hatching, the dark brown head larvae become visible 

 
 Entrust® - a Naturalyte® Insect Control Product

Susceptible Plants- The European corn borer is known to feed on 250 different kinds of plants, some of which include: corn, especially sweet corn, chrysanthemum, dahlia, gladiolus, eggplant, pepper, beet, bean, potato, tomato, oat, soybean, and many kinds of weeds. 

Prevention and Control- Factors that can help minimize European corn borer damage are time of planting and spring plowing. Whenever possible, avoid planting corn too early or too late. Corn that has been planted very early can serve as an unintended "trap crop" for newly emerged first generation moths, resulting in heavy infestations and subsequent damage.

Similarly, late-planted corn can suffer even greater damage because, as younger plants, they are less able to withstand the higher population pressure of the second generation. Spring plowing helps reduce the severity of European corn borer infestations by burying the previous season's corn stalks and weed residues.

Also, there is some evidence that chopping stalks after harvest with a rotary mower will destroy corn borer caterpillars. It is important to realize, however, that because corn borer moths are strong fliers, and thus, highly mobile, plowing and destruction of crop residues must be practiced on a large scale to achieve an area wide reduction in population size. Encourge natural predators of the European corn borer. Do not over feed plants 

Biological Controls- Ladybug Beetles, Hippodamia convergens, Moth Egg Parasites - Trichogramma , or Green Lacewing are effective natural controls   

Insecticidal Control- Entrust® , a Naturalyte® insect control product, is OMRI listed. Its active ingredient, spinosad (a bacterial byproduct discovered in a Caribbean rum distillery) is effective against many foliage feeding pests, including lepidopterous larvae, Colorado potato beetles, leafminers, and thrips. It is recommended for IPM control and is not harmful to beneficial insects.

 

Biological Controls for European Cornborer offered by Arbico Organics
     
Live Ladybugs - Hippodamia $59.75  Green Lacewing 1000 Eggs  $12.95 Trichogramma Moth Egg Parasites $27.00
             
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