Timely and accurate scouting is the key to managing European corn borer in (non-Bt) corn hybrids. It is an introduced species which arrived in the Great Lakes area in the early 1900's. The first 3 to 5 hours of darkness in a day is when adult European corn borer moths are most active. Reproduction and Life Cycle. Young larvae eat leaves and munch on corn tassels. Fully grown larvae pass the winter concealed in corn stubble or other plant parts on which they have been feeding. The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), was first identified near Boston, Massachusetts in 1917. About European Corn Borers. Claire LaCanne, Agricultural Extension Educator for Rice and Steele Counties. European corn borer eggmass Photo: G. Dively European corn borer moth Photo: Clemson Un., USDA Coop Ex. It is now found throughout eastern and central North America, including most parts of Ontario. The European Corn Borer (ECB) is a species of moth whose larvae can do major damage to corn fields. Even worse, corn borers don’t limit their damage to corn and can damage over 300 different garden plants such including beans, potatoes, tomatoes, apples and peppers. Overwinter in stalks as mature larvae. Also known as the corn root borer, these destructive pests do their damage as larva. Depending on the region of corn production, there can be 1-4 generations of ECB per year, although two generations per year is most common. The ECB life cycle has four separate stages: Egg; Larva; Pupa; Adult moth; The larval stage does the damage, and is where control measures are applied to crops. The European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), a major pest of sweet corn, can also damage peppers, snap beans, potatoes, tomatoes, apples and other horticultural crops. common name: European corn borer scientific name: Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Distribution - Life Cycle and Description - Host Plants - Natural Enemies - Weather - Damage - Management - Selected References Distribution (Back to Top). Slide Series, Bugwood.org Larva Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org. Corn is its preferred or primary host but it can infest some 200 plants including dry bean, soybean, and Solanaceous crops such as potato, …

European Corn Borer life cycle and overwintering habits. In spring, pupate and emerge as moths. Management of European Corn Borer. This lesson contains information about the history, life cycle, and host plants of the European corn borer and information relating to the history and biology of Bacillus thuringiensis. The fore wings large and thin are pale yellow with thin brown stripes, dented and transversal in the female. Corn Borer Life Cycle. They typically have 1 to 4 generations per year based on the weather. Remember that conditions are localized and each field must be scouted to make accurate decisions. Also known as the corn root borer, these destructive pests do their damage as larva. Note : The European corn borer most likely arrived in the United States during the early 1900’s in imported corn which was used to make brooms. Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images. We have had it easy the last few years - flights have been relatively low; however, this cannot last forever. Most farmers know that European Corn Borer has historically been one of the major pests of corn in our region.
It appears to have been introduced into the United States on broom corn imported from Hungary and Italy. Life Cycle/Habits. The European Corn Borer (ECB) is a species of moth whose larvae can do major damage to corn fields. It was first identified in Massachusetts in 1917 from where it spread west to Nebraska in 1944 as a two-year generation ('bivoltine') strain. Young larvae eat leaves and munch on corn tassels. They are darker in the male : ochrous to dark brown. Life cycle of European Corn Borer. The extensive use of Bt traited corn has controlled ECB populations, though insects are adaptive and some buggers still persevere. Description - Adult: 20 to 30 mm wingspan. Life Cycle of European Corn Borer European Corn Borer Annual Cycle in Corn. Prediction. European corn borer, Maize pyralid.

The amount of reproduction is greatly dependent on the area in which European corn borers are living.

Corn Borer Life Cycle. Even worse, corn borers don’t limit their damage to corn and can damage over 300 different garden plants such including beans, potatoes, tomatoes, apples and peppers.