European Corn Borer on Peppers
The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), is one of the five most important vegetable pests in Pennsylvania. It causes extensive losses in sweet corn and is a major consideration in production of snap beans and sweet peppers. Second generation corn borer injury to peppers is a problem in all areas of the state.
LIFE HISTORY
The adult European corn borer overwinters in stalks of corn, weeds, and other herbaceous plants large enough for borers to enter. Borers pupate in April and moths emerge during late May and June. Eggs are laid and borers develop during the summer. The larvae produced by second generation adults overwinter in corn stalks. We typically have a strain with two generations each year; however, in recent years there is an additional single generation strain which produces adults during July.
The full-grown borer is 3/4 to 1 inch long, light brown with two conspicuous, small round, brown spots on the back of each abdominal segment, and the head is dark brown to black. The female moth is pale, yellowish brown with irregular, wavy dark bands across the wing. The male resembles the female but is distinctly darker and smaller. Eggs are small (1 mm) and deposited in irregularly shaped groups in a shingle-like mass of 5 to 50.
INJURY
The presence of corn borer is often indicated by small egg masses on the leaves and holes in the fruit .
CONTROL
The action threshold for European corn borer is based on blacklight trap catches and field observations for eggs or larval feeding. Control measures are recommended when European corn borer blacklight trap catches average five per night in local traps. In many areas of the state spray applications will be needed from late July through August. As many as eight applications may be necessary.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research, extension, and resident education programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Visit Penn State Extension on the web: http://extension.psu.edu
Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/ TTY.
© The Pennsylvania State University 2013
