August 15, 2008

We have been seeing moderate levels of second generation European corn borers in our light trap at Clay Center (http://scal.unl.edu/Insect/2008_Light_Trap_Report.shtml) for the past 7-10 days, with numbers close to 100 per night. This is higher than we have seen the last few years, but it is not a record.

This suggests that growers should be checking non-Bt corn fields for corn borer egg masses. Fields that are later planted and are in the green silk stage during European corn borer moth flight are most at risk. Individual fields may see economic levels of European corn borers in south central Nebraska.

See the article in July 25 CropWatch, for more information on scouting and treatment thresholds for European corn borers on reproductive stage corn.

Bob Wright
Extension Entomologist, Lincoln