Sweet Corn
Low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths have been captured in parts of the state. Overall, this flight has been weak, but consistently warmer weather may result in somewhat higher numbers over the next week. The highest adult activity is currently in Burlington and Gloucester counties, although even there it is low. Whorl corn is the primary target for egg laying, and injury as high as 4% of plants infested has been found in northern Burlington County this week. Feeding levels could be somewhat higher in the southern counties, and should rise over the next 3 weeks.
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 or Vantacor (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 5/31/22 are as follows:
| Downer 2 | Cinnaminson 1 | Hillsborough 1 |
| Milltown 2 | Clinton 1 | Jones Island 1 |
| Pedricktown 2 | Crosswicks 1 | Medford 1 |
| Bellemeade 1 | Georgetown 1 | Woodstown 1 |
