Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

PEST PRESSURE MODERATE AS SEASON WINDS DOWN Earworm and Fall Armyworm Threaten Remaining Corn This will be the final issue of the Sweet Corn IPM Newsletter for the 2023 season. I would like to thank all the growers who participated in the program this year, and our team of IPM scouts, including Chantal Cyr, Ethan […]

MOTH COUNTS LOWER THIS WEEK Most Fresh Silking Corn Still Requires Protection SITUATION Cool night temperatures appear to have slowed corn pest activity this week as moth counts were lower at most locations. Growers are looking forward to a strong market for the holiday weekend, and supply and quality are looking good, in spite of […]

CORN EARWORM PRESSURE GROWS Fresh Silking Corn Remaining Requires Protection SITUATION Last week’s storms appear to have brought up a wave of corn earworm moths, as numbers climbed in most locations this week. Other pest numbers have been lower in most fields, with the exception of four-legged species. Deer, raccoons, skunks and coyotes have been […]

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 […]

CORN EARWORM PRESSURE HIGHER IN SOUTH Moth Counts Highly Variable by Location SITUATION Corn harvest is in full swing, although supply has been spotty from site to site. Continued heavy rains have plagued growers’ ability to spray and harvest the fields. Moth captures in pheromone traps were highly variable from site to site this week, […]

CORN EARWORM, ARMYWORM MOTH COUNTS LOWER Western Bean Cutworm Moth Counts Remain High SITUATION Early planted corn is being harvested in much of the state this week. Maturity has been uneven in many fields due to rain and the resulting fertility issues. Pesticide application continues to be challenging for most growers due to very wet […]

CORN EARWORM THREAT INCREASING Early Corn Harvest Underway in Southern Maine SITUATION Corn harvest is underway in early fields planted under plastic mulch. Continued rain and wet ground has made pesticide and fertilizer applications difficult in many fields. Insect pest populations are generally higher this week, increasing the threat to silking corn. The distribution of […]

CORN EARWORM NUMBERS LOWER Fall Armyworm Moths and Larvae Found in Several Fields SITUATION Early planted corn is maturing quickly in southern Maine, with continued warm temperatures. Many fields have soils that are still wet from all the rain, and we continue to see nutrient deficiencies and weed control problems as a result. Insect pests […]

CORN EARWORM NUMBERS LOWER Fall Armyworm Moths and Larvae Found in Several Fields SITUATION Early planted corn is now silking in much of southern Maine, while early-mid season corn is between whorl and pre-tassel. Many fields are showing signs of nitrogen and/or zinc deficiency, which is a result of the excessive rains leaching these nutrients […]

CORN EARWORM THREATENS EARLY SILKING CORN European Corn Borer, Corn Earworm & Fall Armyworm Moths Caught This Week SITUATION Early corn planted under plastic mulch or rowcovers is silking in southern Maine, while early-mid season corn is now between whorl and pre-tassel. Most fields are very wet from all the rain and we are seeing […]