- Sweet Corn
- Cole Crops
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug [Read more…]
Search Results for: corn borer
May 15, 2013 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/15/13
May 8, 2013 Kris Holmstrom
Veg IPM Update : Week Ending 5/08/13
Sweet Corn
By this time last year, we had already begun catching European corn borer (ECB) adults, as well as a few corn earworm (CEW) adults. Due to much cooler conditions this season, blacklight trap catches have very few insects of any type. As a result, there will be no maps published in this IPM Update. In general, sweet corn is well behind recent seasons in terms of development. As ECB numbers develop, their activity will be reported here.
Cole Crops
In many locations, imported cabbageworm butterflies (ICW) are active. These butterflies were seen laying eggs on kale in Hunterdon County this week. Egg deposition is undoubtedly occurring all over the state, during warm periods. Be sure to check the youngest portions of plants, as this is often where the ICW larvae go to feed. Feeding can damage the growing point of plants, if it is not detected in time. Check 5 consecutive plants each in 10 random locations throughout the field. Consider treating if caterpillars are found on 10% or more plants that are in the 0-9 true leaf stage. From 9-leaf to the early head stage (in broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) infestations up to 20% may be tolerated. Once heads begin to form, a 5% threshold should be observed to protect the marketable portion of the plant. For leafy greens such as collards and kale, 10% plants infested is the threshold throughout.
Crucifer flea beetle is active on many plantings, particularly when conditions are warm. When scouting cole crops for caterpillar pests, check for the presence of flea beetles. Consider treating if flea beetles are present on 50% or more plants, and feeding injury is evident on the plants. Be sure to monitor newly emerged or transplanted fields for the presence of this pest. In general, plants like arugula and mustard (those with a “hotter” flavor) are more favorable to flea beetles.
May 1, 2013 Kris Holmstrom
Vegetable IPM Update: Week Ending 5/1/13
Rutgers Cooperative Extension IPM personnel are currently deploying blacklight trap and insect pheromone trap networks throughout the state. Sampling will commence within one week, and insect data will be published in the Plant and Pest Advisory Online and on the Pest Map Archive as soon as target pests begin to appear. [Read more…]
September 26, 2012 Kris Holmstrom
Vegetable IPM Report September 26, 2012
- Sweet Corn
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Pumpkins
- Cole Crops [Read more…]
July 13, 2012 Administrator
Vegetable IPM July 13, 2012
-Kristian Holmstrom
Sweet Corn
European corn borer (ECB) adult catches have begun to increase again in some parts of the state. This is an indication that the second flight is starting. The most consistent catches at this time are in Salem and Cumberland counties, although low level catches are also being recorded in Morris and Burlington counties (see ECB Map). Plants are largely free of ECB injury at this time, but the situation will change within 2 weeks, as eggs are laid and larvae begin to feed. Consider treating if 12% or more plants exhibit the characteristic “shot-hole” type feeding on leaves and/or droppings or ECB larvae in emerging tassels. Remember to make a full-tassel application to control ECB larvae as they leave the tassel and travel down the stalk to re-enter the plant near the ear shank. This last application is often critical to controlling ear infestations from ECB. Consider weekly applications through the silk stage unless local corn earworm catches dictate a tighter schedule. This will help prevent ear infestations resulting from eggs laid on or near the developing ear.
The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:
| Shirley | 3 | Green Creek | 2 | Eldora | 1 |
| Burlington | 2 | Shiloh | 2 | Long Valley | 1 |
| Chester | 2 | Allentown | 1 | Morristown | 1 |
| Denville | 2 | Downer | 1 | Oldwick | 1 |
Corn earworm moth (CEW) catches are highly variable at this time. From lower Burlington County south, there are higher numbers, with particular hot-spots in Salem and Cumberland counties (see CEW Map). Pheromone catches near the Camden/Atlantic County border, as well as Salem and Cumberland counties have increased significantly over the past week as well. These moths are a threat to the sweet corn plantings now in the silk stage. As silks begin to appear, pay close attention to CEW catches in local blacklight traps, and treat silking plantings accordingly. Begin silk spray schedules as close to first silk as possible.
The highest nightly CEW catches for the previous week are as follows:
| Centerton | 5 | Downer | 2 | Hammonton | 1 |
| Woodstown | 5 | Indian Mills | 2 | Medford | 1 |
| Cedarville | 3 | Shiloh | 2 | Pedricktown | 1 |
| Jones Island | 3 | Tabernacle | 2 | Shirley | 1 |
Silking Spray Schedules*
South – 3-4 days
Central – 5-6 days
North – 6-7 days
* Note: These are general recommendations. Local trap catches may indicate some variation in the frequency of insecticide applications to silking corn.
Peppers
With the beginning of the second ECB flight, it is a good idea to scout fields at least weekly for the presence of ECB eggs. If 2 or more eggmasses are found in a 50 plant sample (2 leaves/plant), a foliar insecticide application should be considered. Generally, where blacklight trap catches average one or more ECB per night (shaded and crosshatched areas on the map, and blue and green areas on the web version, found at: http://www.pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/IPM/ Vegetable/Pest%20Maps/maparchive.htm) and fruit are greater than ½” in diameter, insecticides are warranted. See the 2012 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations for materials useful in controlling ECB. Beet armyworm (BAW) larval populations have been found on various crops in southern NJ. This pest is typically a threat to peppers, and as new plantings become established, growers should be on the alert for this pest. BAW larvae feed on leaves near the growing points on plants. This feeding can result in significant defoliation and ultimately fruit damage, as the larvae begin to feed there as they grow. BAW is another of our southern invaders that has shown up much earlier than expected. Like FAW, BAW can be difficult to control with older materials. See the 2012 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations for newer materials useful in controlling BAW.
Brown Marmorated Stinkbug (BMSB)
BMSB adult catches are still low in most blacklight traps, although numbers have been increasing gradually over the past two weeks or so. At present, the only trap averaging more than 5 BMSB/night is near Shirley in Cumberland County (see BMSB map). BMSB has shown a preference for peppers in the past. Growers should pay close attention to activity from local traps to determine when to initiate field monitoring of this pest.
The highest nightly BMSB catches for the previous week are as follows:
| Shirley | 15 | Jones Island | 4 | Indian Mills | 3 |
| Denville | 5 | Morristown | 4 | Oldwick | 3 |
| Green Creek | 5 | Flanders | 3 | Shiloh | 3 |
| Hammonton | 4 | Folsom | 3 | Oxford | 3 |
Tomatoes
With prolonged hot, dry weather, thrips have begun to increase in a number of scouted tomato fields. Flower thrips may be found by tapping upper level fresh flower clusters over an index card. This should be done at least once a week. If there is a sharp increase in the number
of flower clusters having thrips, consider an insecticide to suppress their numbers. These insects can cause a golden colored “fleck” to the surface of fruit. This injury is largely cosmetic, but can result in unmarketable fruit. Generally, if thrips are found in less than 50% of flower clusters, the threat is low. However, if multiple thrips are found in more than half of the samples, and numbers have increased, an insecticide may be warranted. See the 2012 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations for newer materials useful in controlling flower thrips.
Fruit IPM Updates Week of 4/20/2026
Tree Fruit Phenology Update
Tree fruit development across New Jersey progressed rapidly over the past week under continued warm conditions; however, a significant freeze event has resulted in widespread injury to blossoms and young fruit across much of the state. Reports from across the state indicate substantial losses in many orchards, particularly in low-lying areas and blocks that were at full bloom or petal fall during the freeze. The extent of damage varies by location, variety, and orchard conditions; growers are encouraged to assess injury at the block level before making management decisions.
In apples, early varieties such as ‘Pink Lady’ were at full bloom during the freeze event across the state and are likely to have sustained significant injury. Later varieties and northern regions may have experienced variable damage depending on bloom stage and site conditions. Surviving fruitlets, if present, will become more apparent over the coming week.
In pears, most varieties across the state were at or just past bloom during the freeze, and significant crop loss is being reported. More advanced Asian pears may have experienced higher levels of injury.
Peach and nectarine varieties in southern counties were largely at petal fall to early shuck split during the freeze, and many orchards are reporting severe crop loss. In northern counties, where bloom was still ongoing, damage levels appear variable but may still be substantial in exposed sites.
Despite crop loss, continued monitoring for pests and diseases remains important, particularly in blocks with surviving fruit or where tree health and next season’s production are priorities.
Management Considerations After Freeze
- Assess damage before making inputs.
Wait several days for symptoms to fully develop before making thinning, fertilization, or pest management decisions. Cut buds/fruitlets to check for browning of the ovary to determine viability. - Thinning programs may not be needed.
In blocks with significant crop loss, chemical thinning applications should be reduced or avoided. Where crops remain, adjust rates conservatively based on observed fruit set. - Maintain disease management programs.
Even in blocks with reduced crop, fungicide coverage should be maintained (e.g., apple scab, brown rot) to protect foliage and overall tree health. This is critical for supporting return bloom next season. - Fire blight risk remains important.
Damaged blossoms can still serve as infection sites. Continue to monitor models (e.g., NEWA) and apply bactericides where risk is high and viable bloom remains. - Insect management should be adjusted, not eliminated.
Continue monitoring key pests (e.g., Oriental fruit moth, codling moth, plum curculio). In blocks with little to no crop, insecticide programs may be reduced, but trunk and foliar pests that impact tree health should still be managed. - Focus on tree health and next year’s crop. Where crop loss is severe, prioritize maintaining healthy foliage through proper nutrition and disease control to support bud development for the 2027 season.
