Crops Affected: Primarily corn, but will feed on most vegetables and grains

States Affected: All states. Migrates North in spring, South in fall

Life Cycle: Adults tan to dark, up to 2 inch wingspan. Eggs laid on low-growing broadleaf plants or decaying plant matter. Larvae can be light gray to nearly black and are uniformly colored, up to 2 inch at maturity. Younger larvae will live on the plant and eat foliage. Older larvae live in the soil, where they will pupate. Larval stage is 20 to 40 days duration.

Damage: Most damage occurs in the late stages of larval growth. Larvae cut stalks and stems of host plants, and one caterpillar can destroy multiple plants in one night.

Season to Trap: March to October

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. Other options may
include B.t. sprays and row covers,