www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn research-synopsis Research Synopsis With funding from SARE and from the Organic Farming Research Foundation (Santa Cruz, CA) the organic caterpillar control methods outlined in this article were tested on eight commercial vegetable farms throughout New England from 1999 to 2001. During the project, grower interest and input guided the development of the Zea-laterTM applicator device and further studies […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn conservation-of-natural-enemies Conservation of Natural Enemies Sweet corn is a favored habitat for beneficial insects that feed on caterpillar eggs and small larvae, corn leaf aphids, and sweet corn pollen and help suppress pest populations. These natural enemies include ladybeetles, insidious flower bugs, lacewing larvae, parasitic wasps, and indigenous Trichogramma species. The methods described here conserve these natural enemies. Studies conducted […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn putting-it-all-together-2 Putting it all Together Depending upon location and the time of the season, it is possible to have one, two or three of the key caterpillar pests in a single planting of sweet corn. European corn borer and fall armyworm may be feeding at the whorl or tassel stage and can move into ears during silking. Some enter ears […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn fall-armyworm Fall Armyworm Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)Like corn earworm, the fall armyworm is a summer migrant to the colder regions, over-wintering in Florida and other southern states. Fall armyworm moths, which are about ¾”to 1” long with clear hindwings and mottled brown forewings, migrate into New England and other northern areas in mid to late summer. The females […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn european-corn-borer European Corn Borer European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)European corn borer is an introduced pest that has spread across much of eastern and central North America. The number of generations of European corn borer ranges from one per year in the extreme north to four per year in the Southeastern U.S. Most of the range within the U.S. has […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn corn-earworm corn-earworm-page-3 Corn Earworm, Page 3 Oils:Corn and Soybean Oils. Vegetable oil alone reduces the amount of caterpillar feeding damage in the tips of corn ears; however, it is most effective when used as a carrier for Bt [4]. The oil coats the silk channel and reaches the ear tip, increasing the effectiveness of the Bt. Water is not a good […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn corn-earworm corn-earworm-page-2 Corn Earworm, Page 2 Application method: This method involves walking through the stand of corn and treating the top ear of each plant. Only one application per ear is recommended. Treat each block when most ears are close to the ideal stage. It is cost-effective to treat only one ear per stalk. If silk emergence is very uneven throughout […]
www.sare.org publications organic-insect-management-in-sweet-corn corn-earworm Corn Earworm Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) The corn earworm -- also known as tomato fruitworm or cotton bollworm -- is a widespread pest. In southern areas of the U.S., corn earworm over-winters and infests sweet corn throughout the season. Corn earworm moths reach northern states through annual migrations, invading late-season corn from mid-July through September. In New […]
www.sare.org publications steel-in-the-field the-toolshed tool-sources Tool Sources The Toolshed: Tool Sources Every effort has been made to update price ranges and contact information as part of the 2002 reprint of this book. Inclusion of a supplier does not constitute endorsement by the USDA nor does exclusion imply that other sources are not suitable. 1. AGCO 4205 River Green Parkway Duluth, GA 30096 […]
www.sare.org publications steel-in-the-field the-toolshed contacts Contacts The Toolshed- Contacts These individuals are willing to briefly respond to specific questions in their area of knowledge, or to provide referral to others in the sustainable agriculture field. Bellinder, Robin - mechanical weed control Dept. of Fruit and Vegetable Science Cornell University 164 Plant Science Bldg., Ithaca NY 14853 (607) 255-7890, fax (607) 255-0599 […]