Table of Contents
How does the European corn borer affect the yield of corn?
Damage to corn occurs as larvae feed on the leaves and bore into corn stalks and ear shanks. European corn borer tunneling (Figure 1) results in reduced yield potential, broken stalks, and dropped ears. Significant yield losses were seen in plants infested with corn borers.
What does the European corn borer do?
The European corn borer passes the winter as full-grown larva in corn stalks and other plant refuse such as weed stems.
How did the European corn borer get to the US?
The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) was introduced between 1910 and 1920 into North America from Europe: Butterfly and its eggs. Similar to ECB, rootworm is an economically important and difficult pest problem in corn production.
What are different methods used by farmers to protect their corn crops from the corn borer?
Shred and plow under cornstalks in or near fields where borers overwinter. This should be done in fall or early spring before the adults emerge. Use pheromone traps to determine main flight period for moths, then release trichogramma wasps to destroy eggs.
How do you control European corn borer?
How To Control the European Corn Borer
- Use pheromone lures with wing traps to attract male corn borers and prevent mating before it occurs.
- Release Trichogramma moth egg parasites once flight is detected.
What is the most destructive corn pest in the Philippines?
The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), has become the most damaging pest in corn in south-east Asia. Corn farmers in the Philippines have incurred great yield losses in the past decades because of ACB infestation.
What kills European corn borer?
Spray plants with an approved insecticide designed to combat European corn borers, such as Ortho® Outdoor Insect Killer Ready-to-Spray. If you choose to spray, be sure to thoroughly coat the undersides of leaves, where corn borer moths lay their eggs.
What is the most efficient way to protect corn crops from the European corn borer?
Controlling Corn Borers in Corn Other known corn borer control methods include using garden insect sprays to kill young caterpillars. It is important to spray plants every five days until tassels start to brown. Another beneficial corn borer treatment method involves keeping garden and surrounding areas free of weeds.
Which predator will eat corn borer eggs?
Some general predators, such as lady beetles and lacewings, feed on southwestern corn borer eggs and larvae. Early planted corn may escape second generation damage.
What does European corn borer eat?
The European corn borer will feed on sweet, grain and silage corn. In addition, the European corn borer has a wide variety of other host plants including potatoes, beans, wheat, millet and many species of large stemmed flowers and weeds.
What are the natural enemies of corn?
Natural enemies
| Natural enemy | Type | Life stages |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus thuringiensis thuringiensis | Pathogen | Arthropods|Larvae |
| Beauveria bassiana | Pathogen | Arthropods|Larvae |
| Brachymeria albotibialis | Parasite | Arthropods|Pupae |
| Brachymeria lasus | Parasite | Arthropods|Larvae; Arthropods|Pupae |
How do you protect corn from pests?
Another deterrent is to insert half a medicine dropper full of mineral oil to the dried corn silks. This will keep the worms from gripping the plants. You can spray corn plants with Bacilulus thuringiensis called BT. This insecticide contains bacteria that affect only the larvae of the corn borer.