Abstract

Earworm control is of paramount importance in the production of fresh-market sweet corn. To produce the “clean” or “worm-free” ears required by consumers, growers frequently apply four to six insecticide sprays during the critical silking period of ear development. Recently, there have been reports of control failures due to corn earworm populations developing resistance to the commonly used pyrethroid class insecticides. Thus, we need to look at corn earworm control strategies and new approaches. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional and experimental insecticides. New, non-pyrethroid insecticides tested in this evaluation are Belt from Bayer, Coragen from Dupont, and Radiant from Dow. We also included a Bt hybrid, Attribute BC 0805, for comparison with insecticide treatments.

Keywords: Horticulture

How to Cite:

Lawson, V. & Taber, H. G., (2009) “Corn Earworm Control Study”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports 2008(1).