European Corn Borer Management Strategy for Seed Corn

Abstract

European corn borer populations represent an important pest concern for corn growers. Often, control practices are reactionary due to a poor understanding of field population levels and development stage of the pest. As a result, a considerable amount of pesticide is applied each year resulting in needless environmental contamination and unsatisfactory pest control levels. A management strategy is presented based on real time knowledge of field populations that allow pest management technicians to forecast ECB populations and time control procedures for maximum impact when necessary. Populations are monitored and forecasted from moth flight initiation through whorl damage stages. Forecast includes estimates of peak population densities, timing of various life history and damage events, and best management strategies. Graphs are presented that provide rapid estimates of population events and projected population levels based on selected thresholds.