Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

Corn Earmworm Remain High Silking Corn Requires Protection at All Sites Situation Rainfall early in the week provided some much needed relief to dry cornfields, but most sites are still experiencing well below normal rainfall and irrigating wherever possible. Quality of early corn has reportedly been good. As growers move into later planted corn, there […]

Corn Earmworm Populations Very High Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Also Higher, Threaten Silking Corn Situation Corn harvest is well underway in most of the state. Quality and demand have been very good according to most farmers we’ve talked with. The most pressing issue for now is the lack of substantial rainfall. Many fields are drought-stressed, […]

Early Sweet Corn Harvest Underway Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Higher, Threaten Pre-tassel-Silking Corn Situation Corn started under plastic mulch or rowcovers is now being harvested in southern and coastal regions of the state. Many farms have started irrigating corn fields due to another extended dry spell. Corn earworm numbers were variable from site to site […]

Corn Earworm Numbers Increasing Fall Armyworm Also Threatens Silking Corn Situation Plants continue to develop rapidly with warm temperatures and adequate moisture. Harvest of early corn started on plastic mulch or under row covers could begin next week. Corn earworm numbers are now increasing at most locations, and fall armyworm moths have begun to arrive […]

Earworm Threatens Silking Corn Spotted Wing Drosophila active in strawberry fields Situation The heat continues to push corn development. Rainfall has been inadequate in most areas, and many fields are now being irrigated. Corn earworm has been caught at most locations. Warm nights will increase moth activity, and we expect numbers to keep climbing. Fresh […]

Corn Earworm Threatens Early Silking Corn First Fall Armyworm Moths Caught This Week Situation Early planted corn suffered from cold soils at many locations, so germination has been spotty at some sites, but recent warm temperatures have pushed development rapidly. Some fields seeded under clear plastic mulch are just beginning to silk in southern Maine, […]

2026 Sweet Corn Pest Season Begins! Insect Pests Active in Early Corn The 2026 University of Maine Cooperative Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for sweet corn is getting underway. We have set up pheromone traps at volunteer farms to monitor the adult (moth) stages of European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm and western […]

Last Issue for 2025 PEST PRESSURE LOWER IN LATE SEASON CORN Corn Earworm and Fall Armyworm Numbers Fall as Dry Conditions Continue This will be the final issue of the Sweet Corn IPM Newsletter for the 2025 season. I would like to thank all of the growers who participated in the program this year, and […]

PEST PRESSURE HIGHER IN LATE SEASON CORN Corn Earworm and Fall Armyworm Numbers Rise Following Recent Rain Situation Cooler nights and shorter days have slowed development of late corn. Supply has been spotty as many later plantings matured earlier than expected. Some rain last weekend brought only a little respite from the severe drought we […]