Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

CORN EARWORM AND CORN BORER ACTIVE IN EARLY CORN Fall Armyworm, Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Variable SITUATION Many early planted fields are coming into silk this week, although there is still plenty of pre-tassel and whorl stage corn from later seedings. The warm weather and adequate water have encouraged rapid growth, and plantings mostly look […]

CORN BORER AND EARWORM THREATEN SILKING CORN! Spotted Wing Drosophila Active in Strawberry Fields SITUATION Early planted corn is in the tassel to early silk stage in southern Maine. Most fields have had adequate water, although a few farms have been irrigating. We again caught all three of the major sweet corn pests in pheromone […]

CORN EARWORM AND FALL ARMYWORM! Early Arrival of Corn Pests Impacts Management of Early Corn SITUATION Early planted corn is in the late whorl to pre-tassel stage in the southern Maine. A few fields started under clear plastic or rowcovers is now silking. This week our pheromone traps have caught all three of the major […]

2024 SWEET CORN PEST SEASON BEGINS! No Insect Pests Yet in Maine; Corn Borer, Earworm Reported in Massachusetts The 2024 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, […]

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 […]