–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Schwarting
Corn was sampled in north central Kansas on 27 and 28 July. Corn earworms are infesting approximately 100% of the ears sampled, regardless of the developmental stage – from just pollinating to just entering the dent stage. These earworms are also at different developmental stages which means they will be feeding on these ears for anywhere from 1-3 weeks, then start pupating in the soil. The adults will then move from these pupation sites to oviposit in sorghum and/or soybean fields, depending upon the growth stages of these crops.
