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Corn Earworm: signs and treatment in Jamaica
Caterpillars that burrow directly into the tip of the corn ear, ruining the kernels. PlantArmor's crop guides list corn earworm as a common problem on corn.
Signs to look for
- Silks are chewed off
- Hole at the tip of the ear with frass
- Damage to the top kernels
What to do
Crops it affects
Questions growers ask
How do I recognise corn earworm?
Caterpillars that burrow directly into the tip of the corn ear, ruining the kernels. The signs to look for: Silks are chewed off. Hole at the tip of the ear with frass. Damage to the top kernels.
What should I do about corn earworm?
Apply oil and Bt directly to the corn silks. Spray Pyrethroids when silks first emerge. Always read the product label and observe the registered rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval before you apply any pesticide.
Which crops are affected by corn earworm in Jamaica?
PlantArmor's crop guides list corn earworm as a common problem on corn.
Check it in the field
PlantArmor's reference library works offline, so you can compare what you are seeing against it standing in the plot, then log the spray you use along with its re-entry and pre-harvest intervals. Free to use.
This description and treatment come from the same reference library the PlantArmor app uses in the field. Pesticide registrations and permitted uses change — always read the current product label and observe the stated rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval.