Crops Affected: Corn

States Affected: CA, AZ, NM, TX, NJ, DE, CT, RI, MA, NH, ME, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, LA, MS, AL, HI

Life Cycle: Eggs start green but shift to pink within 24 hours, then to vibrant red before hatching in 2-4 days. Larvae reside in silk tunnels under host plant stems for around 20 days. Pupae, initially yellow, darken to near black, and can be found in the silk tunnels or in loose soil. These insects can overwinter as larvae or pupae. The adults, with a 10-day lifespan, are primarily nocturnal.

Damage: The lesser cornstalk borer inflicts damage by tunneling into the plant's stem or girdling its base, leading to wilting as an early sign of infestation. This feeding behavior can adversely impact crop stands, potentially resulting in a diminished harvest.

Season to Trap: June to November

How To Use: Hang trap with lure inside at shoulder height near at risk or affected crops. Replace lures every 30 days through the season, and replace traps when 70% saturated. Adult males are attracted to the pheromones in the lure and the color of the traps in this kit. Once they land on the sticky trap, they become ensnared, never to mate or lay eggs again.

Additional IPM Solutions: Avoid practices that destroy or disrupt native beneficial insects. Insecticides can be applied to the root zone. Planting early, before emergence, can reduce damage. Tillage methods, including conservation tillage, may be employed. Control weed growth to reduce sheltering and overwintering sites.