Last Saturday, I wrote that the corn earworm population was lower than usual for this time of year, but then two days later, last Monday, our traps in Columbus had the highest catch of the year. Populations of corn earworm are still moderate in size, not yet in the high range, but sweet corn fields that are silking will be at risk of infestation if control measures are not taken. As the local large acreage of field corn begins to dry down, the relatively small fields of sweet corn will be more attractive to the increasingly larger number of moths in the area. Sweet corn and pepper growers who have their own traps are encouraged to check the traps several times per week. Growers who do not have their own traps should check our website where trap reports are published.
Trap reports for corn earworm and European corn borer from several Ohio locations can be found using this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10gh3rHahdxLKkXQapGyEPxWsjHYRmgsezOoFHnwtyEo/edit#gid=0
More information about trap-based insecticide spray scheduling for sweet corn is available using this link: http://u.osu.edu/pestmanagement/crops/swcorn/ .
-Celeste Welty, Extension Entomologist
