Sweet Corn

Most of the IPM Program black light trap network is now operational in New Jersey.   To date, no corn earworm (CEW) have been captured.  However, low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths are now appearing in a number of traps (see map at left).  This is the onset of the first flight of the season.  As yet, most corn is too young to support an infestation, although early plantings grown under plastic will be at risk first.   As numbers increase and corn plantings progress into the whorl stage, growers should begin scouting for injury.  Look for the characteristic “shot-hole” type of feeding (photo below at right) and consider treating when infested plants exceed 12% in a 50 plant sample.

The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 5/15/19 are as follows:

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Sweet Corn

IPM Program personnel are currently finishing deployment of the black light trap network in New Jersey.  At present, we are approximately 80% operational and have begun to monitor traps.  To date, no corn earworm (CEW) have been captured.  The low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths that have been caught do not allow us to produce a map image.  As numbers increase, look for population maps of ECB, CEW and CEW catches from pheromone traps in this weekly publication.  The Vegetable IPM Program is expanding the use of CEW pheromone traps to include central and northern counties this year.  The resulting full-state maps will include interpretive information.

The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 5/08/19 are as follows:

Georgetown   1              Woodstown   1

Hillsborough   1

European corn borer egg mass on a pepper leaf.

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Hawaiian Beet Webworm infestations now present in southern and central NJ counties.

Hawaiian beet webworm moth on spinach

Infestations of Hawaiian beet webworm were reported on in last weeks’ IPM Update as occurring in southern NJ counties.  As of Tuesday of this week, similar infestations were discovered as far north as Mercer County.  As of Thursday, none were discovered in Morris or Hunterdon counties, although sampling has  been minimal there.

The moths of this pest are easily found in weed patches; especially those containing galinsoga or pigweed.  Moths hide beneath leaves, but readily fly when the weeds are disturbed.  As mentioned last week, this pest attacks spinach, chard, and the foliage of beets and sugar beets as well as crops in the amaranth family.  In processing spinach, the larvae (photo below) may be a contaminant issue.  At this time, it is advised that growers of these crops in the southern and central counties inspect fields for the presence of adults and larval infestations.  Should these be found, follow the 2018 Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for suggested materials to control webworm on these crops.  In many cases, insecticides in the groups 28 (Coragen) or 5 (Radiant, Entrust (OMRI approved)) are permissible, effective and have short harvest intervals.

Should this pest spread northward, further updates will be published on this site.

Hawaiian beet webworm larva on Swiss chard

Note:  This is the final weekly edition of the Vegetable IPM Update for 2018.  Further updates may be published in response to specific pest threats. 

Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches remain low.     There will be no map in this edition.   [Read more…]