Overview
The insect pest Ostrinia nubilalis is known as the European Corn Borer and can cause damage to corn crops by boring into plants’ vascular tissue, thus causing damage to the transportation of water, sugars and key nutrients; the result - an overall decrease in yields and death of some plants. Damage caused by O. nubilalis can also result in a later infection of the host plant because the area of penetration leaves the plant susceptible to subsequent infection by microbial pathogens, especially bacteria and fungi.
Main description
The European corn borer's eggs appear in masses of that are flat and white in appearance. The larvae are white to grey in colour with two spots on each abdominal segment. They have a distinct black head and can reach up to 2.5 cm in length at maturity. The adult moths are light-brown, measuring about 2 cm in length with dark wavy lines running across each forewing.
Scouting
Chemical application of European Corn Borer eggs is crucial, as once the worm has infested the plant, the product’s effectiveness decreases sharply. Pherormone traps are used to catch adults and sprays are recommended 5-7 days after a peak in the catch.
Crops
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Eggplant
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Field Corn
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LibertyLink Corn Hybrids
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Peppers
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Potatoes
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Snap Beans
Visit the Bayer CropScience Compendium site for more details »