Also known asEuropean maize borer, European corn borer, Corn moth
Ostrinia nubilalis

Damage to plants

• Larvae feed on tassels, whorl, and foliar tissue, including midribs.
• Older larvae burrow into the stalk, ears and kernels.
• Severe infestation of stalks can result in broken tassels and lodging.
• Infestation of ears leads to reduced yields and loss of commercial and cosmetic value.
• Boring damage on the ears can also make them vulnerable to fungal infection.

Signs

• Horizontal rows of perforations in young leaves.
• Stunted plants.
• Lodging and patchy plant stand.
• Excessive frass (feces) in the collar of the plant.

Factors favoring insect / pest development

• More generations occur per growing season in warmer climates.
• Reduced tillage systems encourage infestation as larvae over-winter in crop stems.
• Well irrigated fields.

Geographic distribution

• North America, Europe, northern Africa

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