Rutgers Cooperative Extension
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…]
Sweet Corn
Increasing numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths have been captured this
past week, but still relatively few moths overall. At present, the highest activity is on the Cumberland-Atlantic border, with minor concentrations in Salem and northern Burlington counties (see ECB map). As early sweet corn plantings progress through whorl and pre-tassel stages, feeding from this pest may be detectable. Look for the characteristic “shot-hole” type of feeding (photo 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 5/30/18 are as follows:
| East Vineland 2 | Centerton 1 | Eldora 1 |
| Allentown 1 | Cinnaminson 1 | Medford 1 |
| Belvidere 1 | Crosswicks 1 | South Branch 1 |
| Califon 1 | Denville 1 | Woodstown 1 |
Sweet Corn
The black light trap network is nearly complete at this time. To date, no corn earworm (CEW) have been captured. Increasing numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths have been captured this past week, although numbers are still quite low. At present, the highest activity is in portions of northern Burlington and northwestern Ocean counties (see ECB map). This pest poses little threat at this time, as the earliest sweet corn plants are only just reaching suitable size to support larvae.
The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 5/23/18 are as follows:
| Allentown 1 | Dayton 1 | New Egypt 1 |
| Centerton 1 | Jobstown 1 | |
| Croswicks 1 | Medford 1 |
Sweet Corn
IPM Program personnel are currently finishing deployment of the black light trap network in New Jersey. At present, we are approximately 70% 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 highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 5/15/18 are as follows:
Allentown 1 New Egypt 1
Crosswicks 1 Pennington 1
European corn borer egg mass on a pepper leaf.
Note: Today’s edition is the last regular IPM Update of the season. We will continue to monitor late season crop pests and will publish updates as necessary.
Sweet Corn
Corn earworm (CEW) moth catches declined dramatically over this past week with evening temperatures dropping into the high 40s in many locations (see CEW blacklight map at left). In this map, areas in green roughly correspond to a 3-day schedule, while blue areas are in the 4-5 day range. Blue points within larger green areas should be considered “outliers”, and the broader color scheme in any particular region is more representative of the population. The current situation may change with somewhat warmer night temperatures forecast toward the end of the week. Should night temperatures begin to approach 60F or more, growers should consider treating remaining silks on a 3-4 rather than a 4-5 day schedule. Be aware that synthetic pyrethroids have become less effective at managing ear infestations from this pest over the past several years. For this reason, it is advisable to include products in the IRAC group 28 (Coragen, Besiege) or IRAC group 5 (Radiant, Entrust (OMRI approved)).
The highest nightly CEW blacklight trap catches are as follows:
| Georgetown 5 | Farmingdale 2 | Chester 1 |
| New Egypt 5 | Allamuchy 1 | Centerton 1 |
| Crosswicks 3 | Beckett 1 | Eldora 1 |
| Matawan 3 | Belvidere 1 | Eldora 1 |
Sweet Corn
European corn borer (ECB) catches have again fallen to levels too low to register a map image. This pest is not much of a threat at this point, with most remaining plantings in silk. ECB feeding in less mature NJ sweet corn plantings is nearly non-existent now. Sprays for fall armyworm and corn earworm will manage any ECB larvae at this time. [Read more…]
