MAJOR INSECT PESTS OF CORN

INSECT PEST DESCRIPTION OF THE DESTRUCTIVE STAGE Larvae are greyish-black with a paler underside and no distinct markings on their bodies. Mature larvae are about 3.5 cm (1 1/4 in.) long and hide in the soil during the day. They can be found near freshly cut plants, under soil clumps or along a poorly closed seed furrow. LIFE HISTORY Life History: Cutworm moths do not over-winter in Ontario but are carried in from the south on strong southerly weather systems. The heaviest immigration occurs from April to May but may occur as early as March. Cutworms are therefore more frequent in fields with green cover early in the spring. There are several generations per year, however, only the first generation causes economic damage in corn. Warm, clear, calm nights in early spring are ideal for moths to lay eggs. Egg: The egg is white in color initially, but turns brown with age. It measures 0.43 to 0.50 mm high and 0.51 to 0.58 mm wide and is nearly spherical in shape, with a slightly flattened base. The egg bears 35 to 40 ribs that radiate from the apex; the ribs are alternately long and short. The eggs normally are deposited in clusters on foliage. Females may deposit 1200 to 1900 eggs. Duration of the egg stage is three to six days. Larva: There are five to nine instars, with a total of six to seven instars most common. In appearance, the larva is rather uniformly colored on the dorsal and lateral surfaces, ranging from light gray or gray-brown to nearly black. The head is brownish with NATURE OF DAMAGE Gaps in the stand Plants are stunted or wilted Plants are cut off at or below soil level Leaf tissue feeding Feeding holes are ragged ALTERNATIVE HOST
Bluegrass, Poa pratensis; Burled dock, Rumex crispus; Lambsquarters, Chenopod ium album; Yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris; and Redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus.

CONTROL MEASURES Survey and Trapping. Adult populations can be monitored with both blacklight and sex pheromone traps. Chemical. Cutworms are most active in the evening, so insecticides applied at night/evening are more effective. Foliar insecticide application to mature larvae (larger than 2.5 cm or 1 in.) is not recommended since most of the damage has occurred and control may be inadequate.

1.Common Name: black cutworm scientific Name: Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Damage by black cutworm

Lateral view of the larva of a black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel). Photograph by John L. Capinera, University of Florida

numerous dark spots. Larvae usually remain on the plant until the fourth instar, when they become photo-negative and hide in the soil during the daylight hours. In these latter instars they also tend to sever plants at the soil surface, pulling the plant tissue belowground. Larvae tend to be cannibalistic. Pupa: Pupation occurs belowground at a depth of 3 to 12 cm. The pupa is 17 to 22 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide, and dark brown. Duration of the pupal stage is normally 12 to 20 days. Adult: The adult is fairly large in size, with a wingspan of 40 to 55 mm. The forewing, especially the proximal two-thirds, is uniformly dark brown. The distal area is marked with a lighter irregular band, and a small but distinct black dash extends distally from the bean-shaped wing spot. The hind wings are whitish to gray, and the veins marked with darker scales.

Adult black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel). Photograph by John L. Capinera, University of Florida.

2. Corn Flea Beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria)

Coleoptera
Chrysomelidae

Adult Corn Flee Beetle

Life History: This pest over-winters as adults at the base of grasses. In the early spring, beetles emerge, and mated females then lay their eggs in the soil close to the base of corn plants. Within 6 days, eggs hatch into larvae, which then pupate. Within 14 days, the adult beetle emerges from the soil. There are three to four overlapping generations per year. Only those generations occurring from early-May to late-June, during corn emergence, are considered a potential problem

Leaf tissue feeding

Feeding tracks running parallel to leaf veins on upper surface of leaf Injures by removing leaf tissue and transmitting pathogenic bacteria which is Erwinia stewartii (=Pantoea stewartii).

Common in most of all crops suchas Sorghum, other weeds and grasses.

Use insecticide seed treatments on susceptible hybrids and inbreds, and for those fields with a history of flea beetle activity. Avoid early planting dates for varieties susceptible to Stewart's wilt. Plant fields with a history of Stewart's wilt to resistant hybrids. Additional foliar sprays may be necessary for seed corn and susceptible varieties if populations are very high.

Desrtructive stage: Adult

Image of injured leaf tissue

3.Potato Stem Borer (Hydraecia micacea) Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea

DESTRUCTIVE STAGE: LARVA

Life History: This pest is more severe in the eastern counties, but infestations occur throughout the province. There is one generation per year. This pest over-winters as eggs on grasses. Eggs are laid in two or three parallel rows under the leaf sheath. These hatch in late April, and the small larvae initially bore into the stalks of grass plants. By late May, the larvae outgrow the grass stalks and move to

Gaps in the stand

Seed is fed upon or hollowed out

Plants are stunted or wilted

Stalk damage Tunneling within the stalk

Barnyardgrass,Echino choa crus-galli; Beggarticks, Bidens s pp.; Cocklebur, Xanthium spp.; Dock, Rumex spp.; Jimsonweed, Datura spp.; panic grass, Panicum spp.; Pigweed, Amaranthu

Management Strategies: There is no effective or economic chemical control for this insect, since the borer remains inside the plant where it is protected. Good weed control, especially of grassy

nearby thicker stalk crops such as corn. These larvae continue to feed until late June, pupate and emerge as adults in late July. EGG: Egg semispherical, yellowishwhite, later pinkish. Diameter of eggs 0.7-0.8 mm, height 0.4 mm. LARVA: Caterpillars light yellow to fleshyred with reddish stripe along dorsum. Head red, without pattern; thoracic and anal shields and plates bearing setae, brown. Spiracles black. Caterpillars 40-45 mm long. Pupae yellow-brown, 1725 mm in length; cremaster with 2 processes

s spp.; Smartweed, Polygon umspp.; and others.

Image of Tunneling within the stalk

weeds, is effective in reducing the risk of damage next year. Fall plowing or burndown can reduce the number of over-wintering eggs. Parasitic wasps generally keep this pest below economically damaging levels.

PUPA: Pupae yellow-brown, 17-25 mm in length; cremaster with 2 processes.

ADULT:

Forewings of the moth grayishyellow or dark brown-gray, with reddish tint (wingspan 28-40 mm). Transversal lines brown. A part of the wing between the lines is darker than the rest, especially behind round and reniform spots having background wing color. Hind wings grayish-yellow or pinkish-yellow, with a dark stripe in distal third of wing. Females usually larger than males

4.Common Name:
European corn borer Scientific Name: Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Mature larva of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). Photograph by John L. Capinera, University of Florida

Leaf tissue feeding Pinholes or round, symmetrical holes Stalk damage Tunneling within the stalk

Grasses and other field crops

Biological control.
Natural enemies: Lydella thompsoni GHerting

(Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitiod of the European corn borer Eriborus terebrans Gravenhor st (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Insecticides.
Cultural practices. Destruction of stalks, the overwintering site of larvae,

European corn borer larvae are cream to pink with black heads and two black spots per abdominal segment. Stalk rots can be carried in by larvae. - Early-season larvae feed on
leaves, creating small pinholes and eventually migrate into the whorl of the plant and attack the enclosed tassel.

Life History: There are two distinct strains in Ontario. South of a line from Sarnia to Simcoe, a bivoltine strain can undergo multiple generations (typically two), depending on the length of the season. North of this line, a univoltine strain has only one generation per year. There is a band of overlap for these two strains, about 5080 km wide along this line. Egg: Eggs are deposited in irregular clusters of about 15 to 20. The eggs are oval, flattened, and creamy white in color, usually with an iridescent appearance. The eggs darken to a beige or orangish tan color with age. Eggs normally are deposited on the underside of leaves, and overlap like shingles on a roof or fish scales. Eggs measure about 1.0 mm in length and 0.75 m in width. The developmental threshold for eggs is about 15C. Eggs hatch in four to nine days.

Tunneling within the stalk

Larva: Larvae tend to be light brown or pinkish gray in color dorsally, with a brown to black head capsule and a yellowish brown thoracic plate. The body is marked with round dark spots on each body segment. Larvae normally display six instars. PUPA: The pupa is normally yellowish brown in color. The pupa measures 13 to 14 mm in length and 2 to 2.5 mm in width in males and 16 to 17 mm in length and 3.5 to 4 mm in width in females. The tip of the abdomen bears five to eight recurved spines that are used to anchor the pupa to its cocoon. - Duration of the pupal stage under field conditions is usually about 12 days.
Adult: The moths are fairly small, with males measuring 20 to 26 mm in wingspan, and females 25 to 34 mm. Female moths are pale yellow to light brown in color, with both the forewing and hind wing crossed by dark zigzag lines and bearing pale, often yellowish, patches. The male is darker in color, usually pale brown or

grayish brown, but also with dark zigzag lines and yellowish patches. Moths are most active during the first three to five hours of darkness

5.Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera Coleoptera Chrysomelidae

DESTRUCTIVE STAGE: LARVA ADULT

Life history:
The Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera is a serious pest of maize (Zea mays). It originated in North America but was discovered in Europe in 1992 near Belgrade (former Yugoslavia). Outbreaks have been confirmed in several EU member states. It was first reported in the UK in 2003 on maize near London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Statutory action was required around affected locations, but these have been lifted in the absence of findings since 2007. LARVA: The CRW larvae go through three instars, or developmental stages, that each lasts seven to ten days. The first instar is less than 1/8 inch in length. By the third instar larva can measure up to 1/2 inch in length PUPA: After the larvae have completed the three developmental stages (instars), they will pupate in the soil. The pupal stage is a dormant stage when no feeding takes place ADULT: adults begin to emerge in July and may continue for one month. Male beetles emerge prior to females. After the beetles emerge from the pupal case, they dig their way up to the surface of the soil. Once the

Stalk damage Stalk "goosenecked"

Surghum, grasses and oither crops

Management Strategies: Crop rotation is the best strategy and is superior to insecticides for reducing rootworm populations. Continuous corn fields produce up to 4 million beetles per hectare.

Damage in Dry Edible Beans: Damage begins as leaf feeding, but once the larvae get bigger, they will move to feed on and into the pods and seeds

Western Corn Rootworm beetle (Marlin E. Rice, ISU)

6. Common Name:
European corn borer Scientific Name: Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

adults have exited the soil they will instinctively crawl upward, often on a corn plant where they will begin feeding EGG: Eggs are laid in masses of 5-200 eggs. WBC eggs are the size of a pin head, pearly white when first laid and are shaped like tiny cantaloupe . As the eggs mature, they turn tan and then purple in colour. Eggs hatch in about 5-7 days.
Western bean cutworm eggs are shaped like cantaloupe and are white when first laid. They turn purple just before the larvae hatch.

Ear damage

entry hole on side of ear and feeding

Silks clipped Tassel damage Tassels are fed on

Biological control Several natural enemies feed on egg masses and young larvae, including lady beetles, spiders and others.

Young larvae the destructive stage of WBC that feed on the tassels and silks until they are large enough to tunnel into the ear and feed extensively on the kernels. In whorl-stage corn, larvae will feed on the developing pollen.

Larva:
Larvae hatch in late May or early June and begin to feed on corn roots. Newly hatched larvae are small, less than 1/8 inch long, white worms. Corn rootworms go through three larval instars, pupate in the soil, and emerge as adults in July and August. There is one generation per year. Larvae have brown heads and a brown marking on the top of the last abdominal segment, giving them a double-headed appearance. Larvae have three pairs of legs, but these are not usually visible without magnification. After feeding for

Heavy rain can reduce young larvae survival. Chemical control: Foliar insecticide timing is critical. Timing of application must coincide with egg hatch when young larvae are feeding.

several weeks, the larvae dig a cell in the soil and molt into the pupal stage. PUPA: The pupal stage is white and has the basic shape of the adult
ADULT: Adult rootworms are about 1/4 inch long. Western corn rootworms are yellowish with a black stripe on each wing cover.

Adult European corn borer

7. Common Name: fall armyworm Life History: Fall armyworm adult moths migrate from the southern U.S. and show up later in the season, when the corn is fully grown. This insect cannot overwinter in areas where the ground freezes. Egg: The egg is dome shaped; the base is flattened and the egg curves upward to a broadly rounded point at the apex. The egg measures about 0.4 mm in diameter and 0.3 m in height. The number of eggs per mass varies considerably but is often 100 to 200, and total egg production per female averages about 1500 with a maximum of over 2000. The eggs are sometimes deposited in layers, but most eggs are spread over a single layer attached to foliage. The female also deposits a layer of Leaf tissue feeding

Scientific Name: Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Feeding holes are

ragged Ear damage entry hole on side of ear and feeding Tassel damage Tassels are fed on

DESTRUCTIVE STAGE: LARVA

Other crops sometimes injured are apple, grape, orange, papaya, peach, strawberry and a number of flowers. Weeds known to serve as hosts include bentgrass, Agrostis sp.; crabgrass, Digitaria spp.; Johnson grass, Sorghum halepense; morning glory,Ipomoea spp.; nutsedge, Cyperus spp.; pigweed, Amaranthus spp .; and sandspur, Cenchrus tribuloides

Variety selection
There are no commercial nontransgenic rootwormresistant corn varieties. Several hybrid corn traits may reduce damage from larval rootworm feeding by increasing stalk strength and root mass size. Early planting Insecticides Crop rotation

Corn cob damage caused by the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Photograph by USDA

grayish scales between the eggs and over the egg mass, imparting a furry or moldy appearance. Duration of the egg stage is only two to three days during the summer months. Larva: There usually are six instars in fall armyworm. Head capsule widths are about 0.35, 0.45, 0.75, 1.3, 2.0, and 2.6 mm, respectively, for instars 1-6. Larvae attain lengths of about 1.7, 3.5, 6.4, 10.0, 17.2, and 34.2 mm, respectively, during these instars. Young larvae are greenish with a black head, the head turning orangish in the second instar. Pupa: Pupation normally takes place in the soil, at a depth 2 to 8 cm. The larva constructs a loose cocoon, oval in shape and 20 to 30 mm in length, by tying together particles of soil with silk. If the soil is too hard, larvae may web together leaf debris and other material to form a cocoon on the soil surface. The pupa is reddish brown in color, and measures 14 to 18 mm in length and about 4.5 mm in width. Adult: The moths have a wingspan of 32 to 40 mm. In the male moth, the forewing generally is shaded gray and brown, with triangular white spots at the tip and near the center of the wing.

Corn Leaf Aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) HYMENOPTERA Aphididae

Life History: This pest does not over-winter in Ontario but arrives each year on air currents from the south where crops are more advanced. Initial spring migrants feed on cereals, until corn becomes attractive. Migrating populations are comprised of winged females only. Once they settle, these females reproduce without mating and give birth to live wingless nymphs. Both winged and wingless generations of adults develop, depending on the nutrient quality of the plant. Winged aphids then fly to nearby corn fields and enter the whorl. There are several generations per year. Life Cycle: The first spring adults are winged females which fly in search of suitable host plants. Shortly thereafter, they give birth to live nymphs which usually develop into wingless females. Under favorable conditions, more winged females develop and migrate. Males are rarely found but females continue to reproduce without mating. No egg stage is known. Reproduction slows down in winter and summer and is most rapid during cool weather. Therefore, corn leaf aphids tend to be a problem on winter grains in spring and on late-planted corn in fall.

Tassel damage Tassels discoloured or sticky

barley, sorghum It also infests many other wild and cultivated grasses

Corn leaf aphids clustered on corn ear. Tassels and silks may become coated with honeydew, reducing pollination success.

Management Strategies: Chemical control is warranted only if the natural enemies and parasites of the corn leaf aphids are not present and aphid densities are above threshold. There are several natural enemies that exist and are quite effective at controlling corn leaf aphids. These include lady beetle adults and larvae, lacewing adults and larvae, and a few parasitic wasps. Chemical control will kill natural enemies and may lead to a resurgence of the aphid population.

Seedcorn Maggot Delia platura (Meigen) Order: Diptera, Family: Anthomyiidae,

EGG:
The eggs are white, oblong and about 0.9 mm in length. LARVA: The larvae are less than 1 mm in the first instar to 7 mm in the third instar and tend to occur in clusters at the base of the plant or feeding inside of the root stem. PUPA:

The puparium is 4-5 mm long and is light reddish brown. ADULT: Adult: The adult flies are small (4-5 mm long), grayish brown and males have gray stripes on the thorax. The abdomen tends to be smaller than what you observe on houseflies, relative to the overall body size.

Damage to Crop: The two primary ways that seedcorn maggot damages crops is through reduction of seedling stands and contamination of the crop later in the season. Mid- to late season stand loss caused by seedcorn maggot has not been observed, just secondary invasion of the crop after some other factor damages the crop. Pupae can be attached to harvested portions of root crops, from which adult flies can emerge in fresh pack stands in markets.

barley, sorghum It also infests many other wild and cultivated grasses

Management:

The standard treatment for control of this pest is to treat preventatively with pre-plant, in-furrow insecticides

REFERENCES:
Department of Entomology. 2013. The European Corn Borer. Accessed from www.ent.iastate.edu/pest/cornborer/ on September 7, 2013 Capinera, L. J. and kalisch J. et. Al..2000. FEATURED CREATURES. Accessed from entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/field/e_corn_borer.htm_on September 7, 2013. Chaetocnema pulicaria accessed from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetocnema_pulicaria on September 8, 2013 Western corn rootworm accessed from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_corn_rootworm on September 9, 2013 Sparks, Jr. A. and Riley D. G. Seedcorn Maggot. Accessed from http://www.ent.uga.edu/veg/colecrops/seedcornmag.htm on September 9, 2013