Sweet Corn
European corn borer (ECB) moth catches have declined somewhat over the past week. At this time, activity is highest in Gloucester County and along the Cape May/Cumberland bay shore (see ECB map at left). Catches are widely dispersed. Larval infestations above 20% continue into the northern counties this past week. Larval infestations should be expected to continue for approximately another 2 weeks.
As always, 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. As plantings proceed to the pre-tassel stage, ECB larvae may be found in emerging tassels (see photo at left). It is a good idea to treat individual plantings as they move into the full tassel/first silk stage one time. This eliminates any ECB larvae that have emerged with the tassels as they begin to move down the stalk to re-enter near developing ears.
Useful insecticides for this particular application include synthetic 
pyrethroids (IRAC Grp 3), spinosyns (including OMRI approved Entrust) IRAC Grp 5), and diamides such as Coragen (IRAC Grp 28) or materials such as Besiege which include the active ingredient in Coragen. Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn. Control with these materials is very inconsistent.
The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 6/24/20 are as follows:
| Downer 2 | Eldora 1 | Milltown 1 |
| Blairstown 1 | Farmingdale 1 | Port Colden 1 |
| Cinnaminson 1 | Lawrenceville 1 | Springdale 1 |
| Denville 1 | Matawan 1 | Tabernacle 1 |
Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures increased slightly in blacklight traps this past week. As early plantings are now in the silk stage, they will need protection from this pest. Blacklight catches sere highest overall along the coast (see map at left).
The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in black light traps for the week ending 6/24/20 are as follows:
| Matawan 2 | Elm 1 | New Egypt 1 |
| Bellemeade 1 | Green Creek 1 | Sergeantsville 1 |
| Crosswicks 1 | Hillsborough 1 | Springdale 1 |
| Eldora 1 | Milltown 1 | Tabernacle 1 |
CEW pheromone trap catches remained steady from last week to this week (see CEW pheromone map at left). The number of pheromone traps deployed is much lower, resulting in much broader color bands on the map. CEW activity in this network, however clearly indicates a low but economically important population in the state at this time.
The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in pheromone traps for the week ending 6/24/20 are as follows:
| Woodstown 48 | Pedricktown 13 | Dayton 7 |
| Crosswicks 20 | Berlin 11 | South Branch 3 |
| Monroeville 19 | Beckett 9 | Springdale 3 |
| Elm 17 | Jones Island 9 | Snyder Farm 2 |
Silking Spray Schedules*:
South – 3-4 days
Central – 4-5 days
North – 6-7 days
*These recommendations are based on regional catches. Adhere to tighter spray schedules if indicated by local trap catches. Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn, or for fall armyworm (FAW) management at any stage. Control with these materials is very inconsistent.
Peppers
With continuing ECB moth activity, growers should be looking for ECB egg masses (see photo at left) on the underside of pepper leaves. The larvae that hatch from these eggs will bore into the central stem of pepper plants in the absence of suitable fruit. This damage causes the tops of the plant to die, and eliminating the crown set of fruit in the process. Check 2 leaves per plant on 5 consecutive plants in 10 random locations. Consider treating if 2 or more leaves are found to have ECB larvae on the lower surface.
Pepper weevil
Traps have been deployed at several farms and as yet no weevils have been trapped. One farmer who had a weevil problem last year had brought in bins from one of the southern states, very possibly bringing in weevils on the bins. Before doing this the bins should be thoroughly cleaned before transporting them here. Hitch-hiking on vehicles or equipment seems to be one of the primary means of spreading weevils around.
If anyone wants pheromone traps or participate in a project of evaluating different lures, please contact Joe Ingerson-Mahar, mahar@sebs.rutgers.edu; phone: 856-889-5718.
Pumpkins and Winter Squash
With pumpkin and related crop fields now emerging, it is important to remember that the initial threat will be from striped cucumber beetles. Most seeds now come with a pre-applied insecticide to limit injury from this pest. However, growers should be alert to the possibility that untreated seeds may be fed upon heavily by cucumber beetles, resulting in bacterial wilt in a few weeks, or outright death of seedlings from excessive feeding. Scout 5 plants each in 10 random locations. If beetles are found to be feeding at more than two sites, consider an insecticide application to limit damage. It is unlikely that this situation will occur if seeds were pre-treated.
A cucurbit downy mildew sentinel plot is now established at Snyder Farm in Hunterdon County. This plot, consisting of pumpkin, watermelon, cantaloupe, butternut, acorn, cucumber and kabocha squash will be used to indicate the presence of cucurbit downy mildew in the region, and what crops are affected. For regional information on this important disease, see the Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecast webpage: http://cdm.ipmpipe.org/.
Tomatoes
This week, CEW (also called tomato fruitworm) were found infesting green fruit in a high tunnel crop in Hunterdon County. While this is typically a late summer occurrence, it is important that growers check plantings that have fruit present for infestation s of this pest. High tunnels do not offer protection from CEW or other caterpillar pests of tomato. CEW moths will lay eggs on the uppermost flower clusters. As these eggs hatch, larvae will bore into fruit in the upper and outer canopy (see photo at left). While infestations at this time may not result in significant fruit loss, actual losses are somewhat unpredictable. If tomato fruitworm infestations are found at 3 or more sites in a 10 site sample in the field, or in more than one site in a 5 site sample (as in a high tunnel), it may be time to apply an insecticide to limit further damage, especially if CEW moths are still being captured in local traps. A complete list of insecticides for this pest may be found in the Tomato Section of the Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations. Note that the insecticide Entrust is OMRI approved. Avoid applying insecticides that carry a “M” or “H” designation for bee toxicity while bees are active in the field.
