How to Prevent Cornstalk Borers

The cornstalk borer is a tiny caterpillar that turns into a corn-damaging moth as soon as late April. At least three species of the borer are an enemy to yield-conscious farmers in the United States, the European corn borer and the Southern and lesser cornstalk borer. As the names suggest, these moths bore into the leaves, cornstalks and ears -- often in an inconspicuous fashion. Preventing a corn borer infestation is a combination of preventative measures and quick action if borer damage is spotted. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to protect your corn without some form of chemical response, especially on larger farms.

Approved insecticide
Heliothis trap
Pheromone or black light lure
Transgenically resistant seed corn

Instructions

- 1
  Set up a Heliothis trap, with a pheremone or black light lure inside, in a grassy area next to your corn crop. Do this in an area that's not been mowed in early spring, just before moths are hatched. They commonly use these grassy areas near corn crops as "action sites" for morning dew and protection from predators.
- 2
  Inspect the trap at least weekly for corn borer moths. Males are various hues of brown and females are whitish in color. The forewings have a wavy linear pattern. Consult pictures of the moths online to confirm your find.
- 3
  Scout your crop for corn borer damage when your stalks reach no higher than 18 inches tall. Continue these inspections at least weekly, looking for broken tassels, small holes in leaves or white, clumpy scaling on leaves that may indicate larvae. In early spring, before moths hatch, the caterpillars will be light brown in color. Destroy any caterpillars or larvae you find.
- 4
  Employ an organic approach by introducing insects to your cornfield that are natural enemies of the corn borer. Some examples are the lady bug, the pirate bug or the trichogramma wasp. These should be introduced before May, when the borers are still in larval stage.
- 5
  Consult your local agricultural extension office if a corn borer population is identified. An agricultural scientist can help you plan a schedule of legal insecticides, in liquid or granular form, that should inhibit an infestation.
- 6
  Plant transgenic corn seeds, which are genetically modified to resist insect infestation. These are available from most seed trusts.
- 7
  Till your corn field to a depth of at least 8 inches every year to prevent winter nesting of the corn borer.
- 8
  Rotate your cornfields annually, though don't neglect to till the field that will sit fallow.

How to Store Corn Without Weevils

How to Prevent Larks From Eating Corn Plants

Growing Corn