Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

SWEET CORN PESTS ACTIVE! Early Silking Corn Needs Protection SITUATION Warm weather has pushed corn development rapidly across the state. Early plantings are now in silk in many locations. All of the major corn pests are active, but populations are variable from location to location. Corn earworm, fall armyworm and European corn borer have all […]

2025 SWEET CORN PEST SEASON BEGINS! Insect Pests Active in Early Corn The 2025 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 and fall armyworm, and […]

COOL NIGHTS KEEP PEST PRESSURE LOW Fall Armyworm and Corn Earworm Threat Lower in Most Locations This will be the final issue of the Sweet Corn IPM Newsletter for the 2024 season. I would like to thank all of the growers who participated in the program this year, and our IPM scouts, including Leo Anderson […]

MODERATE PEST PRESSURE FOR LATE SEASON CORN Fall Armyworm Counts Higher in Most Locations SITUATION Sweet corn season is winding down for most farms. Cool nights and favorable weather patterns continued to keep pest levels at low to moderate levels this week. Corn earworm and fall armyworm are the primary issue for any silking corn […]

CORN PEST PRESSURE LOWER Cool Night Temperatures Reduce Earworm Activity SITUATION Cool nights and favorable weather patterns have reduced pest pressure in most locations this week. Corn earworm numbers were mostly lower but fall armyworm numbers were higher at some sites, posing a risk to all remaining corn in silk. Harvest for the holiday weekend […]

CORN EARWORM NUMBERS LOWER All Fresh Silking Corn Remains on Spray Intervals Prevent Infestation SITUATION Pest pressure was lower in most fields this week, as cooler nights and changing weather patterns slowed moth activity. However, counts remain high enough to require regular spray intervals in fields with fresh silks. Harvest continues in full swing as […]

HIGH CORN EARWORM NUMBERS CONTINUE Fall Armyworm Also Threatens Corn in Many Fields SITUATION Pest pressure remains high for silking corn this week with high numbers both of corn earworm and fall armyworm found most fields. Growers should remain on tight spray intervals in silking fields to keep ears from being infested. European corn borer: […]

HIGH CORN EARWORM NUMBERS CONTINUE Fall Armyworm Also Threatens Corn in Many Fields SITUATION Pest pressure for silking corn continued to increase this week with high numbers of corn earworm and fall armyworm found in many fields. This will mean tighter spray intervals for many growers in fresh silking fields to keep ears from being […]

CORN EARWORM NUMBERS HIGHEST OF THE SEASON Fall Armyworm and Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Also Higher SITUATION Warm weather has pushed sweet corn maturity this week. Late-planted varieties are catching up to earlier plantings, making it more challenging to schedule harvests and markets. Growers have been mostly pleased with quality, although dry conditions in the […]

FALL ARMYWORM PRESSURE INCREASING Western Bean Cutworm Moth Counts at Highest Levels Seen SITUATION Corn harvest is coming into full swing. Corn earworm numbers have moderated in some locations but fall armyworm and western bean cutworm numbers were generally higher, meaning silking corn in nearly all location requires protection. European corn borer: No moths were […]