Fruit Size and Infestation by European Corn Borer,Ostrinia nubilalisHubner, in Bell Pepper

Abstract

Abstract Growers initiate application of sprays when 4 corn borer moths were trapped in black light traps, regardless of fruit size, resulting in a potential of damaged fruit. Greenhouse trials with bell peppers demonstrated that European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner, larvae did not attack pepper fruit that were 1.3 cm dia, but did attack pepper fruit when they were 3.8 cm dia or larger. If fruit were 1.3 cm dia, or if there were no fruit on the plant, borers readily entered the plant stems instead. These data are important to an effective pest management program for growers to initiate the first pesticide spray in bell peppers in the mid-Atlantic region to protect the fruit from infestation by European corn borers. Growers can continue to use blacklight traps and pheromone traps to monitor moth activity and determine their weekly spray schedule (days between sprays), if necessary, for the remainder of the season. Pepper fruit size can be used to determine when to initiate sprays for control of the European corn borer in bell peppers.