Control of European Corn Borer on Whorl Stage Corn in West Central Nebraska, 1992

Abstract

Abstract Various pesticides were applied to whorl stage (stage 2) field corn on 26 Jun. Treatments were applied over the whorl of the plant with insecticide boxes mounted on a tool bar. Each treatment was applied to 3 × 10 m plots and was replicated 4 times in a split plot design. Insecticide treatments were designated as whole plot treatments, infestation method (artificial and natural) was designated as the split plot treatments. A total of =40 first instar ECB larvae were applied to 4 randomly selected plants within each plot. These larvae were applied on corn cob grit to the whorl of the plant 1 day prior to pesticide application. To evaluate control of ECB larvae, 4 artificially ECB infested and 4 randomly selected corn plants were collected from each plot 4 wk post application. Each stalk was split from root to tassel and the number of ECB larval cavities were counted. In addition to this evaluation method, 25 consecutive plants within 1 row of each plot were evaluated for the presence of ECB feeding damage. Finally, 4 randomly selected plants were marked and evaluated at 10, 17, 24, 32 and 46 DAT for the presence of spider mites and arthropod predators.