2018 New York Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network (SCPTN)

Abstract

For 24 years, the Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network has been monitoring the flight of three important insect pests of sweet corn, European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, and more recently, 2010, Western bean cutworm. These insects cause damage to sweet corn ears in their larval stage. These pests are moths in their adult stage and can be monitored using traps baited with pheromone lures specific for each species. Traps are placed near sweet corn fields to monitor moth flights. The weekly trap catch information allows growers, consultants, Cooperative Extension and vegetable processor field staff to track the flights and make informed decisions about when sweet corn fields need to be scouted or treated with an insecticide. This project was funded in part by in-kind contributions from growers and consultants who host and check traps.