Sweet Corn IPM Newsletter No. 8 — August 18, 2023

CORN EARWORM PRESSURE HIGH

Silking Corn Requires Protection at Most Sites

SITUATION

We’ve had another week with some heavy rain showers, making pest management in corn fields challenging. There are some reports of light infestations of caterpillars in ears, despite regular sprays, which may be due to poor efficacy because of sprayed materials washing off or being diluted. Additionally, we are getting reports of poor performance with some of the synthetic pyrethroids, such as Warrior® and Asana®, which may suggest some resistance. Rotate or tank mix different insecticide chemistries to manage and prevent resistance. Effective products with alternative chemistries include Lannate®, Coragen®, Besiege®, Delegate® and Intrepid®.

European corn borer: All fields scouted this week were under threshold for larval feeding in pre-tassel corn. Moth counts also remained low at all sites except Dayton. This suggests that the first generation of European corn borer is over, but a partial second generation may be starting in southern Maine.

Corn earworm: Moth counts were higher in nearly all locations this week. Only a couple of locations caught few or no moths. Based on this week’s moth counts, a 4-day spray interval for silking corn was recommended for Auburn, Biddeford, Cape Elizabeth, Dayton, Farmington, Lewiston, Monmouth, New Gloucester, Oxford and Wells. A 5-day spray schedule was recommended for Garland and Wayne. A 6-day spray interval was recommended for Palmyra. Pheromone trap catch accuracy is still questionable, due to the variable weather. Consider a more cautious approach to protecting corn by applying at least one protective spray at pre-tassel and another when silks first appear, especially if larvae are present in the field.

Fall armyworm: Moth counts were low at most sites this week, several locations remained over the three-moth threshold for silking corn, including Cape Elizabeth, Monmouth, and one Wells site.

Western Bean Cutworm: Moth numbers were mostly lower in traps this week, but still high enough to warrant protection of any silking corn not on a spray schedule for corn earworm or fall armyworm. In the past, populations of this pest drop off very rapidly toward the end of August, so we may be seeing the start of this decline.

Squash vine borer: Moth counts were under the five moth threshold for pumpkins and squash this week.

Birds, etc.: Blackbirds can cause significant damage to corn, especially when they begin flocking towards the end of the summer. They are especially attracted to fields where corn has been allowed to get over-mature. Deer have also been troublesome this year. For information on wildlife problems and management options, you can call the APHIS office in Augusta at 1-866-487-3297.

Sincerely,

David T. Handley
Vegetable & Small Fruit Specialist

Highmoor Farm
P.O. Box 179
52 U.S. Route 202
Monmouth, ME 04259
207.933.2100

UMaine Extension Diagnostic Research Lab
Pest Management Unit
17 Godfrey Drive
Orono, ME 04473
1.800.287.0279

CEW: Corn earworm (Only fresh silking corn should be sprayed for this insect.)
ECB: European corn borer
FAW: Fall armyworm

Thresholds apply only to corn with exposed fresh silk. Lengthen spray intervals by one day if maximum daily temperature is less than 80°F.

European Corn Borer Thresholds

Whorl stage: 30% or more of plants scouted show injury.
Pre-tassel-silk: 15% or more of plants scouted show injury.
Silk: 5 or more moths caught in pheromone traps in one week.

IPM Web Pages:

Explore Integrated Pest Management in Maine — UMaine
Integrated Pest Management Data Visualization Tool — Penn State
Integrated Pest Management — UMass Amherst

Where brand names or company names are used, it is for the reader’s information. No endorsement is implied nor is any discrimination intended against other 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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