Corn , both cherubic and athletic field varieties , is one of the most popular plants in garden all over the country . Since it is a relatively easy plant to grow and worry for , gardeners of all skill levels and in almost any planting zone can grow corn . However , many different blighter can ruin an entire crop , and the corn earworm is one of the high-risk .
What is a Corn Earworm?
The corn earworm is apestthat look for out specific plants like tomato , cotton wool , and corn . Despite the name , Indian corn earworms first appear as small chocolate-brown - sensationalistic moths with a wingspan of about 1 - 1.5 inches ( 2.5 - 3.8 cm ) . You are more likely to remark the moths in the evening , as they are not typically combat-ready during the day .
Adult corn earworm moth repose their testis in the silk of your corn . Those eggs in go hatch into larvae , which eat their means down the ear of corn . If you have an untreated Indian corn earworm job , you will in all likelihood drop off the entire harvest of corn whiskey .
When to Look for Corn Earworms
Since the adult corn whisky earworm moth lays eggs in the silk of each capitulum of corn , pay tight attention to the development of your corn stubble . you’re able to usually see the corn silk seem rough two month after the corn seed havegerminated .
If you notice the moth appearing , you involve to take immediate steps to eliminate them . Once they put their eggs , the problem becomes much hard to check .
baksheesh : The eggs are microscopic , about the size of the caput of a pin . They are hard to see with your naked eye .
Why Corn Earworms are Dangerous to Corn
There are several reasons why the corn earworm is such a pervasive pest for corn of all varieties .
peak : The life cycle of the corn whiskey earworm is some three weeks . It is feasible that you may have several generation appear in one raise time of year , specially if you stagger your Indian corn planting to provide fresh edible corn all summertime .
How to Get Rid of Corn Earworms
Although some nurseryman choose to combat pest using big - duty commercial-grade insecticide , there are many practical way of eradicating the edible corn earworm moth without using dangerous chemicals .
Prevention of Infestations
Prevention is naturally the first step to getting rid of the corn earworm problem . For example , since the pupa fall to the ground to dream up into the moths , it makes horse sense to get disembarrass of as many as you could while they are still in pupae sort .
If you till the territory in the fall after the cornseasonand again in the bound before you plant , you could unearth the pupae , and the weather will shoot down them before they can hatch .
Tip : poulet are also a great way to get rid of the pupa . rent them barren range over the tilled country , and they will gladly wipe out as many dirt ball as they can find !
If your methods of bar fail and you find yourself with an inflow of edible corn earworm moth ( and eggs and larvae ) , you will have to take an aggressive approach to get free of them . Integrated Pest Management is by far the best direction to get rid of this particular pest .
Natural pheromone yap can help attract the grownup moths , which will prevent them from landing on the corn and laying ball . A white Anglo-Saxon Protestant called a Trichogramma Wasp will eat any testicle that do get lain .
If you do not notice the moths ( which is probable since they seem in the evening and overnight ) and bump egg or larvae , you could also loose insects like damsel bugs or unripened lacewing fly .
If all of these methods have give out , there are also organic insecticides that play to kill the corn earworm moth . However , even though the component are born , these method should only be used after less harsh method have been attempt .
Tip : Beneficial insects can often be purchase at your local nursery , or say online from a reputable garden stock .
Kill the Bugs to Save Your Crop
Regardless of which method acting of eradication you use , you need to be aware of the wellness of your corn works from germination toharvest . If you get an infestation of Indian corn earworm and do not get it under ascendancy immediately , you are likely to drop off your entire harvest .
