Crops Affected: Corn, beans, peas, peppers, eggplant, lettuce, sweet potato, rice, cotton, grapes, strawberry, and hemp

States Affected: all states

Life Cycle: The larval stage consists of six instars, lasting 12 to 15 days in warm weather and longer in cooler conditions. Larvae exhibit varying colors from yellow to pink to green but share identical markings. Initially, young larvae coexist peacefully while feeding, but as they mature, they turn aggressive, often killing and cannibalizing others. Consequently, usually only one mature larva is present in each corn ear. Mature larvae exit the host plant, burrow into the ground, and undergo a 10 to 15-day pupal stage. Adult insects display variable colors but consistent markings and live for 5 to 15 days. Females lay individual eggs on host plants, with up to 35 daily, and the life cycle takes about 30 days. This species overwinters in pupal form.

Damage: The most common “worm” in sweet corn is the corn earworm. Adult females lay eggs on corn silks, and the newly hatched larvae feed down the silk channel and then on the tip of the ear.

Season to Trap: March to May

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. For effective corn insecticide use, apply when egg laying begins, usually requiring repeated applications from silking through the brown silk stage. Once inside the corn ear, the larvae are shielded from insecticides. In the case of other crops, consider employing B.t., pyrethroids, and spinosad. Beneficial nematodes can target the pupal stage, while autumn tillage helps disrupt overwintering pupae. Additionally, using trap crops can be a valuable strategy in pest management.