Heads Up! Pest Alerts

The moths from the first generation European corn borer are beginning to take to the air throughout the state. As much of the corn was planted late this year, many fields escaped first generation infestations. But those same fields may be more attractive to second and third generation egg laying late in the season. Particularly with late planted fields, those planted after May 15, growers will need to scout those fields carefully, identify the most heavily infested fields and schedule those for the earliest practical harvest. The added cost to dry the grain needs to be compared to the potential for ear drop and stalk breakage that contribute to harvest losses. Pepper growers will need to begin monitoring for European corn borer and managing them as necessary.

Southwestern corn borer second generation flight is still several weeks away. We have observed that these moths are two to three weeks behind those of European corn borer. Fortunately for Kentucky, our European corn borer activity has been light to moderate, and the southwestern corn borer activity has been moderate as well. But these is the potential for rapid buildup for the second and third generations and much of the corn will stay vulnerable to attack later in the season due the planting delays this spring.

(first published in Kentucky Pest News, Number 957, June 24, 2002)

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	Original document: 2 July 2002 Last updated: 2 July 2002