Sweet Corn

Corn earworm moth (CEW) activity has been fairly steady over the past week.  Patches of locally higher activity remain within a generally low population (see CEW map).  Catches are now rising and falling with night time temperatures.  It is advisable to incorporate materials into the spray program that have different modes of action from the pyrethroids.  This includes IRAC 28 materials like Coragen, Exirel and Besiege, as well as IRAC 5 (Radiant, Entrust (OMRI approved), and Blackhawk)).  Growers should be checking CEW activity frequently, and adjust spray schedules according to local activity.  On this map, green areas correspond to a 3-4 day silk spray schedule, while blue is 4-5 days.

The highest nightly CEW catches for the previous week are as follows:

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Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moths are nearly non-existent now.  There are no particular areas of higher activity, and  no map will appear in this edition. It is unlikely that we will realize any further injury from this pest this season.

Nearly all remaining sweet corn plantings are now in the silk stage.  Fall armyworm (FAW) however, continues to be a threat to these sweet corn plantings.  We should expect this pest to be with us at some level for the remainder of the sweet corn growing season.   FAW do not respond well to pyrethroid insecticides.  The most useful products are those in the IRAC group 28 class (Coragen, Exirel) or the IRAC group 5 class (Radiant, Entrust), or combination products including these classes.  See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticides effective against FAW.

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Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth numbers have decreased this past week such that only a handful of moths were captured.  There are no particular areas of higher activity, and  no map will appear in this edition. It is unlikely that we will realize any further injury from this pest this season.

The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:

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Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth numbers increased slightly this past week.  At the present time, highest activity is in western areas from the Delaware Bay shore northward to Warren County (see ECB map). This partial third flight should not present much of a threat to host crops.  This is particularly true in light of the dominance this year of fall armyworm (FAW). FAW will probably remain the larger threat, and treatments for this pest will eliminate ECB in the process. See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticide choices.

The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:

There has been little change in the fall armyworm (FAW) situation in the north and central areas.  Joe Ingerson-Mahar indicates that re-infestation rates in younger corn in the southern counties have declined somewhat.  Infestations continue throughout NJ, with damaging infestation rates in all parts of the state.  We should expect this pest to be with us for the remainder of the sweet corn growing season.  Treat when FAW alone or in combination with ECB damage exceeds 12% plants infested.  FAW do not respond well to pyrethroid insecticides.  The most useful products are those in the IRAC group 28 class (Coragen, Exirel) or the IRAC group 5 class (Radiant, Entrust), or combination products including these classes.  See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticides effective against FAW.

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Sweet Corn

Low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) adults continue to be captured this past week.  At the present time, highest activity remains in the Cape May-Cumberland County border area (see ECB map). Earlier ECB catches were extremely low, and these moths, likely representing a partial third flight, will not present much of a threat to host crops.  This is particularly true in light of the dominance this year of fall armyworm (FAW). FAW will probably remain the larger threat, and treatments for this pest will eliminate ECB in the process.  As always, consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%. Any planting remaining at or above threshold as it proceeds to full tassel should be treated, as this is the last stage at which ECB larvae will be exposed and vulnerable to insecticidal sprays. See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticide choices.

The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:

There has been no change in the fall armyworm (FAW) situation.  Infestations continue throughout NJ, with high infestation rates in all parts of the state.  This pest is devastating to small corn plants, and in fact the worst infestations are currently in shorter whorl stage plantings.  Fields down to seedling stage should be scouted weekly for signs of infestation. We should expect this pest to be with us for the remainder of the sweet corn growing season.  Treat when FAW alone or in combination with ECB damage exceeds 12% plants infested.  FAW do not respond well to pyrethroid insecticides.  The most useful products are those in the IRAC group 28 class (Coragen, Exirel) or the IRAC group 5 class (Radiant, Entrust), or combination products including these classes.  See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticides effective against FAW.

  [Read more…]

Sweet Corn 

A few European corn borer (ECB) adults have been captured this past week.  At the present time, highest activity is in the Cape May-Cumberland County border area (see ECB map). Earlier ECB catches were extremely low, and these moths, likely representing a partial third flight, will not present much of a threat to host crops.  This is particularly true in light of the dominance this year of fall armyworm (FAW). FAW will probably remain the larger threat, and treatments for this pest will eliminate ECB in the process.  As always, consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%. Any planting remaining at or above threshold as it proceeds to full tassel should be treated, as this is the last stage at which ECB larvae will be exposed and vulnerable to insecticidal sprays. See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticide choices.

The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:

There has been no change in the fall armyworm (FAW) situation.  Infestations continue throughout NJ, with high infestation rates in all parts of the state.  This pest is devastating to small corn plants, and in fact the worst infestations are currently in shorter whorl stage plantings.  Fields down to seedling stage should be scouted weekly for signs of infestation.  We should expect this pest to be with us for the remainder of the sweet corn growing season.  Treat when FAW alone or in combination with ECB damage exceeds 12% plants infested.  FAW do not respond well to pyrethroid insecticides.  The most useful products are those in the IRAC group 28 class (Coragen, Exirel) or the IRAC group 5 class (Radiant, Entrust), or combination products including these classes.  See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticides effective against FAW.

  [Read more…]