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European Corn Borer Description:

Pale, pink or brown. Dark brown head with spots along the top of each segment, up to 1 inch long. Common host plant(s):

Beans, beet, celery, pepper, potato and sweet corn. Damage:

Feeds in stalks and ears; may enter ear at base, side, or tip. Also feeds on foliage and pods of pepper. Distribution:

From Georgia to Maine and westward to Montana, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Lifecyle:

European corn borer moths begin their activity at dusk and continue through the night, appearing only during the day when disturbed. The tiny white eggs of the first generation are deposited on undersides of corn leaves in flat groupings of about a dozen. As the eggs mature they turn yellowish and, just prior to hatching, a black dot will appear on the egg. Eggs hatch in about a week, depending on temperature. Emerging larvae feed on corn leaves, causing small round holes in leaves. Larvae move into the main stalk of the corn plant where the first generation pupate in mid to late summer, emerging as moths in about three weeks. This second generation lays eggs on corn, along with other plant species. Second generation larvae feed on tassels and shanks of corn plants before entering the main stalk where they mature through the fall, overwinter, and pupate in late spring. Larvae that do not attain maturity normally don't make it through the winter. Moths emerge over an extended period from early May to late June. Thresholds:

Use blacklight traps to monitor European Corn Borer dispersal:

less than 10 moths per night Treatment is probably not warranted. greater than 10 moths per If sweet corn is pre-row tassel or later, treat with an night over a period of three insecticide. If the catches consist of females, eggs have http://www.idlab.ento.vt.edu/IDLab/vegpests/vegfs/ECB.html 6/17/2010 ECB.html Page 2 of 2 nights already been deposited. greater than 100 Treat or retreat with insecticide if sweet corn is in a vulnerable moths each night stage. Retreat every 5-7 days until silks brown.

Cultural Control:

Split stalks below entrance holes and remove borers. Organic/Biological Control:

A small braconid wasp, Macrocentrus grandi , and a tachinid fly, Lydella stabulans grisecens , are natural enemies of the European corn borer. Chemical Control:

Pheromones are available for monitoring European corn borer. Insecticides can be applied one week following peak moth flights (detected through monotoring techniques).

For Pepper (bell or hot): Use at 4-5 day intervals as long as needed.

For Potato (Irish): Make three applications at 7 day intervals starting in mid-May. Treat when insects and/or damage appears.

For Sweet Corn: Treat when 50% of plants show tiny pin holes in leaves. Apply to silks every other day beginning at 10% silking and continuing until 90% of silks have wilted and turned brown.

Caution: Honeybees are necessary for good fruit set; insecticides are toxic to bees. Apply in evening when fewer bees are working.

Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.

Disclaimer: Commercial products named on this site are for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable. References:

Foster, Rick and Brian Flood. 1995. Vegetable Insect Management, Meister Publishing Company, Willoughby, Ohio. p. 32.

Revised 3.28.2006

Prepared by Alexandra Spring and Eric Day (Modified from a publication by the USDA) http://www.idlab.ento.vt.edu/IDLab/vegpests/vegfs/ECB.html 6/17/2010