Integration of Insecticides and Biological Control Tactics for Sweet Corn

Abstract

Sweet corn is attacked by a variety of insect pests that can cause severe losses to the producer. Current control practices are largely limited to the application of broad-spectrum insecticides that can have a substantial and deleterious impact on the natural enemy complex. When not killed by broad-spectrum insecticides, natural enemies have been shown to provide partial control of sweet corn pests. The major natural enemies in New York sweet corn are two species of lady beetles and Orius insidiosus. New products that specifically target pests, while being relatively benign to other insects, could enable growers to have the benefits of natural enemies and still use insecticides as needed.