CPROT52

MODULE CPROT52 – Crop Protection Technologies

4

Chapter 4
Corn Pests and their Management

Objectives
At the end of this module, the student should be:
1. Explain and familiarize the importance of Pest Management in Corn.
2. Identify and familiarize with the insect pests and diseases of Corn and their management.
3. Explain and analyze the Integrated Pest Management of Corn.

Learning Content
Topics:
1. Importance of Pest Management in Corn
2. Insect Pests and Diseases of Corn and their Management
3. IPM Practices for Corn

Topic 1. Importance of Pest Management in Corn

Corn plant health and yield is determined by genetic capabilities of the corn plant, soil factors,
management decisions, and natural events. Among the natural events are pests, including insects,
weeds, plant pathogens and others. The amount of pest damage to a corn crop is determined by the
severity of pest attack and the plant’s ability to resist attack and compensate for injury. Management
to prevent economic damage from pests in corn therefore emphasizes:
 Keeping pest populations below threshold levels.
 Making the crop unattractive as possible to invading pests.
 Keeping the crop as competitive and tolerant as possible.

Since corn is often used as a rotational crop, pest management decisions in corn may also be
influenced by pest management needs of the rotational crop (e.g. soil pathogen suppression in
peanut, nematode or weed suppression in cotton and tobacco).
Seedlings are the most easily damaged corn plant stage. On many field crops, insect feeding
on seedlings is often not considered very important, however, since corn is a plant population
sensitive crop seedling insects are a potential threat. The severity of damage from insects depends on
three factors:
1. The existing number of plants.
2. The ability of these plants to tolerate attack.
3. The number and kind of insects’ pests present.

Management of seedling insects uses tactics that impact one or more of these areas. Cultural
practices are very important in establishing a vigorous, full stand of seedlings. Also Cultural practices
can greatly influence pest populations, as well as crop competitiveness and tolerance. Producing a
vigorous and competitive corn crop requires planning and site preparation.
 Topic 2. Insect Pests and Diseases of Corn and their Management

A) Insect Pests of Corn

1. Armyworm
 Larvae of the true armyworm are greenish brown
with a narrow, mid-dorsal stripe and two orange
stripes along each side. The yellowish head of the
larva is honeycombed with dark lines. Armyworm
larvae are about 1.5 inches ling when full grown.
Pupation occurs in the soil. Adult moths are
nocturnal with a small, white dot in the center of
each wing.

Damage
 Armyworm larvae feed at night and damage corn by stripping the leaves and feeding in
the whorl which may destroy the bud.
 Armyworms generally appear in corn in early season, Mid-May through June.
 Infestations usually develop in small grains or other grass cover crops and in corn,
infestations may develop throughout no-till corn following grains or grass crops. The
larvae are most often found in luxuriant or lodged vegetation in low wet areas, and cool,
wet springs will favour armyworm development.
 Armyworms are primary lead feeders; however, they will feed on awns and tender
kernels.
 Remember: Larvae hide under debris or on the ground during the day and feed on the
plant at night.

Pest Activity

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 Scouting is recommended in corn from the time the corn emerges until the plants are
waist-high.
 Field edges should be checked first. If armyworms are present, check 20 plants per
location and rate feeding damage.
  Check leaves for signs of damage and examine the ground for dark fecal droppings.
Armyworms feed during late afternoon, night and early morning, starting at the edge of a
leaf and feeding in towards the midrib. During the day, armyworms will often hide under
surface litter or in soil cracks.
 When observing larvae, check for parasitic eggs just behind the head. These small, oval,
yellow eggs are of a fly parasite that will kill the larva. Avoid treating with insecticides
when lathe numbers of larvae are parasitized.
 Pheromone traps are available in monitoring adult armyworm activity.
 The economic threshold using plant damage is 35% or more of plants in field are
infested and larvae average ½ to ¾ inch long, or 50% or more defoliation is seen on
damaged plants.

2. Cutworm
 Larvae are light gray to nearly black and may have a
faint, narrow mid0dorsal stripe. Larvae vary from ¼
inch long after hatch to 1-3/4 inches long when full
grown.

Damage
 Small larvae chew on small holes in the leaves.
Larger larvae (about ½ inch long) cut small plants
and may pull parts into their burrows. Symptoms are
cut or wilted plants.

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 Cutworms occur in the time period from planting through mid-June. Fields having one
or more of the following characteristics should be watched very carefully:
 A history of cutworm damage
 Surface litter present – especially soybean residue.
 Fair to poor drainage or subject to flooding
 Planted late
 Contained winter annual weeds prior to tillage.
 Corn plants should be monitored twice weekly from emergence until they reach a height
of 18inches. Watch for leaf feeding, wilted plants or cut stalks. Infestations are often
spotty so check carefully for damage. Make counts only if cutworm damage is noticed
in the field. Continue to scout damaged fields once an infestation is found. It is vital to
get planting dates so fields will not be overlooked during this critical period when the
plants are small.
 Begin making counts as follows when cut or wilted plants are first seen:
a) Randomly determine each starting point.
b) Look for live cutworms around freshly damaged plants. They will generally be
covered or underground during the day.
o First check the clods near the base of the plant.
o Then, dig up an area three inches in diameter and three inches deep
around the plant.
c) Make stand counts in the field. These counts can be used in making a
treatment decision.
3. Corn Borer
 Fifteen to 35 white eggs laid in masses on the
underside of corn leaves, often near the midrib. The
individual eggs overlap each other much like fish
scales. Prior to hatching, the mass darkens.
 The black head capsule of the larva is distinct about
24 hours prior to hatch. Larvae are light tam in color
and marked with small round brown spots. They
vary from 1/8 inch long after hatch to about 1 inch
long when full grown. The head may be red-brown to black.
 Adult female moths are a plae yellow/brown with irregular darker bands running in wavy
lines across the wings. The male moth is darker.
 The first generation occurs in late May to late June. Early planted corn has greatest
potential for damage. The second generation occurs in late June to August. Late plated
corn is most attractive to this generation. A third generation occurs in late July and
overwinters in the corn stems.

Damage
 Results of feeding by small first generation borers appears as “window pane” or “shot
holes” in the whorl leaves. Some borers enter leaf mid-ribs and cause them to break.
Second generation damage includes feeding on stalks, tassels, ear shanks, leaf collars
and developing kernels. Larvae may be found feeding on pollen and leaf tissue behind
the leaf sheath and axil.

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

i) First Generation
 Randomly select and examine 20 consecutive plants in each location in the field.
 Look carefully into whorls and count the number of plants showing fresh “shot
holes” (window pane) damage on the leaves. Small areas of fresh surface feeding
may see before “shot holes” appear.
 Pull out the whorls of two damaged plants from each location and carefully unroll
them, looking for small whitish borers with distinct (black) heads.

ii) Second Generation

 Give special attention to late planted fields.
 Survey 20 plants per location.
 Check plants for egg masses and signs of borer feeding. Examine closely the lower
surface of leaves and at the ear. When an egg mass is found, record the hatching
stage according to following: white, cream, black head, hatched.
 Check the middle one-third of each plant for damage and live larvae. Second
generation larvae are usually found feeding at the base of leaf sheaths. Pull leaves
from the ear zone of one plant per location and record the number of larvae found
in the leaf axil and their size.

Economic Threshold
i. First Generation: Field Corn controls should be considered if 50% of the plants show
“shot hole” or “window pane” feeding damage and larvae are present. Treatment may be
justified for popcorn and seed corn fields if 25% or more of the plants are infested. Once
larvae have bored into the talks, treatment will not be effective.
 ii. Second Generation: Treatment is suggested if egg masses average one per plant and
egg hatch begun or if 50% of the plants inspected have live larvae feeding on the leaves
or tassels, in the leaf axils or behind sheaths. If your examination indicates that half of the
larvae have entered the stalk, insecticide treatment is not recommended.

4. Fall Armyworm
 Larvae vary from light tan to nearly black with three
thin yellow lines down the back. There is a wider
dark stripe and a wavy yellow red splotched stripe in
each side.
 They resemble both armyworms and corn earworms
but fall armyworms have a prominent white inverted
Y mark on the front of the head. The spherical gray
eggs are laid in clusters of about 150, usually on the
leaves of host plants. Egg masses are covered with
a coating of moth scales or fine bristles.

Damage
 Larvae feed on the leaves leaving “window pane” type damage and later burrow deep
into the whorl. The tassel, leaves on the upper portion of the plant, and the ear may be
partly or totally destroyed.
 The damage to the ear of corn may be far more important than the leaf damage. The
insect can be a problem in the south following a cold.

Pest Activity

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 Fall armyworms (FAW) will be present in late June. Late maturing fields are most likely
to become infested. Begin checking corn in mid-June for fall armyworm activity and
continue throughout the season.
 Survey 20 plants from each location, initiating your count randomly. Small larvae will
cause “window pane” damage. Record damage, number and size of larvae. Collect
specimens for verification. Feeding by small armyworms resembles corn borer damage.
 A few days before tasseling and silking, check closely for infestations. Look for large
larvae in the whorls which will be pushed out by the emerging tassels. These larvae
may then attack the very small ears. Egg masses and small larvae may be found on the
 leaves and behind leaf sheaths. Determine if an infestation of large larvae or small
larvae will be present to attack the very small, developing ears. Continue to check
closely for this insect until silks begin to dry.

Economic Threshold
 Egg masses present on 5% of the plants, or 25% of plants are infested with larvae.
Treatment must be applied before larvae burrow deep into the whorls or enter ears of
more mature plants.

5. Corn Flea Beetle

 Corn flea beetles are very small, shiny, round,
black/brown beetles that jump readily when
disturbed.

Damage
 These beetles are leaf feeders. They make small
feeding scars on the surface giving leaves a gray,
frosted or bleached appearance.
 Damage is generally serious on plants less than
six inches tall. Flea beetles also may transmit Stewart’s wilt or bacterial leaf blight on
field corn. This is of particular concern during cold, wet conditions that favour
development of the disease.

Pest Activity

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 Flea beetles occur in plantings until mid-June. Check corn from emergence until plants
are 12 inches tall. Flea beetle stress may be great on late-planted corn. Fields that
were planted early may also show noticeable damage.
 Examine 20 plants in each several locations and rate for feeding damage according to
the following scale:
0 – no damage or scratch marks
1 – scattered scratch marks on less than 50% of the plants; plants appear healthy
2 – feeding on new leaves of 50% or more of the plants ; some leaves are whitish
3 – leaves turning brown, plant dying
  Also, estimate the number of n=beetles in each of the 20 plants. This must be done
carefully because the beetles will jump at the slightest disturbance.

Economic Threshold
 Some plants have been killed or leaves are taking on a whitish cast – especially if the
field has a history of Stewart’s wilt.

6. Corn Leaf Aphid

 Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects with soft bodies. They vary from blue-green to
gray and have piercing-sucking mouthparts.
 They occur in sometimes very dense clusters on the plant. Most aphids in the cluster
will be wingless, but some may have small, clear wings.

Damage
 Corn becomes stunted or wilted, especially when plants are under drought stress.
Aphids secrete a sugary substance known as “honeydew”. Tassels of moderately to
heavily infested plants may be quite sticky from accumulations of secretion. Aphids
cause the greatest damage while feeding in the whorl.

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 Corn leaf aphids may be found from about four weeks prior to tasseling through
tasseling. Begin to scout about three weeks prior to tasseling.
 Examine 20 plants per each location. Rate infestations on each plant using following
rate scale:
0 – no aphids
1 – 1 to 10 aphids/whorl
2 – more than 10 to 20 aphids/whorl
3 – more than 30 aphids/whorl

 Aphids occur in clusters in the curl of leaves, in the whorl or on unmerged tassels.
Check also for discolored brown or golden aphids. These are diseased or parasitized.

Economic Threshold
 Consider treatment if there are more than 15 aphids per whorl about three weeks
before tasseling (10 per whorl if plants are stressed from lack of moisture).
 But if plants are not under drought stress and you find 10 or more predators on each
plant, controls probably are not justified. It is doubtful if treatment pays after 50% of the
tassels have emerged.

7. Corn Rootworm Beetles

Three species of corn rootworm beetles are found.
 Larvae of all three species of corn rootworms have
cylindrical white to cream bodies with a brown to
black head and a pair of small legs on each of the
first three segments behind the head. There is a
small brown or black area on the top of the last
segment. Full grown larvae are about ½ inch long.

 Northern Corn Rootworm. The northern corn

rootworm adult is pale green to yellow and about ¼ inch long.
  Southern Corn Rootworm. The southern corn rootworm adult (also called the spotted
cucumber beetle) is about 3/8 inch long. It is yellow-green with 11 conspicuous black
spots in the wing covers.
 Western Corn Rootworm. The western corn rootworm beetle is yellow with three black
stripes on the wing covers. It is relatively new. If you suspect them in a field, collect
some for identification.

Damage
a) Larvae
 Rootworm larvae feed on corn roots for about three weeks. As a result, corn leaves
may develop a yellow cast and plants may show symptoms of nutrient deficiency or
drought stress due to root damage by the time the corn height reaches knee-high.
Infestations may be limited to rough circular areas within fields. Damage may occur in
fields that were in corn the previous year. Corn plants may lodge, or fall over, if enough
root damage occurs.
 Soil compaction, drought stress and other factors can produce symptoms similar to
rootworm damage. The presence of rootworm larvae should be confirmed by examining
root systems for larvae and chewing damage.

b) Adults
 Adult rootworm beetles feed in the developing corn silks. This is of concern only of
adults are present in the field before and during the maximum period of pollen shed.
 If the field will be planted in corn again the following year, northern and western corn
rootworm beetles pose a threat in that larvae will be present in the soil, ready to attack
the next year’s crop. Southern corn rootworms are important only as silk feeders.

Pest Activity

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

a) Larvae
 Rootworm larvae may be found from mid-through late June. Watch for irregular growth
patterns and stress symptoms.
 To scout for rootworm larvae:
1. Dig up a 6" cube of soil containing the root zone of stressed plants. Carefully
break away the soil from around the root zone and look for rootworm larvae and
evidence of chewing on the plant roots.
 2. Indicate infested areas of the field on a field map. If you encounter lodging, record
the percentage of lodged plants in random areas of the field. This is done by
examining groups of 20 consecutive plants and recording the number bent or
lodged. Compute the percentage as explained in the cutworm section.
3. Immediately inform your supervisor if you find rootworm damage in a field. Soil
compaction, drought stress and other factors can produce symptoms similar to
rootworm damage. Confirm your diagnosis by examining root systems for larvae
and chewing damage.

b) Adults
 Look for adult rootworm beetles from mid-July through silking. Silk feeding is a problem
only if it occurs before and during the maximum period of pollen shed.
 If you do not see any beetles as you walk through the field, do not spend your time
surveying. However, if beetles are active, follow these guidelines.
1. Make counts on 20 plants from each location beginning with random selection of
an initial plant. Make counts on every third or fourth plant until 20 plants per
location are examined.
2. Rootworm beetles fly readily when disturbed so approach each plant carefully.
Count the beetles on the ear tip, tassel, leaf surfaces and behind the leaf axil.
Record the number of northern and western corn rootworm adults present. Make
sure you record beetles found as Northern or Western rootworm adults. Southern
corn rootworms are important only as silk feeders.
3. Note percent of silks clipped back to 1/2 inch or less.

Economic Threshold
 Treatment may be necessary if silks are clipped back to 1/2 inch or less before 50% of
the plants are pollinated, and five or more beetles are present per plant.
 Note: Your counts of northern and western corn rootworm beetles are used to make soil
insecticide recommendations for the following year. If your counts of western and/or
northern corn rootworm beetles approach or reach an average of 20 beetles per 20
plants (l per plant), the farmer will be advised to apply a rootworm insecticide if the field
is to be planted in corn next year.

8. Common Stalk Borer

 Small larvae are cream-colored with a dark brown or
purple band around the body. Several brown or
purple lengthwise stripes may be present.
 Adult moths are grayish brown with small white
spots along the front and tips of their forewings. The
hindwings are a pale gray-brown. Wing span is
about one inch.

Damage
 Damage is greatest in weedy border rows. The stalk borer will tunnel deep into the
whorl leaves of the corn.
 This results in the unfolding leaves having irregular holes and ragged edges and the
upper leaves may wilt or die. Sawdust-like feces can be seen in the whorl or coming out
of the entry hole in the stalk. Unrolling the whorl will usually reveal the borer.
 IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures
 The stalk borer has appeared as early as May 31, but normally it is not observed till
mid-June. Cultivated crops near weedy areas, especially ragweed, are most often
attacked. Damage is usually minimal in conventional minimum-till fields, but can be a
problem in no-till fields. Corn plants from 24 inches tall will be attacked.
 Check 20 plants at each location. Record the average number of stalk borers found per
location on the report form. You may also want to check around border rows of
conventionally tilled fields in May and June. In no-till fields a random check throughout
the field is necessary.

Economic Threshold
 An economic threshold has not been established. A "rescue" insecticide treatment will
rarely be effective. Control is only possible if the insecticide is applied when the larvae
are moving from the weeds to the corn seedlings. Treatments applied after the larvae
have entered the corn plants are not effective.
 In conventional corn, killing grasses and weeds along field edges by mowing, burning
or using herbicides will aid in controlling the borer. However, avoid weed removal while
the borers are active between planting and early July. Similarly, stalk borer numbers
can be reduced in no-till corn by reducing the number of weeds.

9. Stink Bugs
 Stink bugs that can injure corn are brown, shield-
shaped insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
 Adults have two pair of wings held over the back.
The insects may be found feeding near the base of
the plant or crawling along the surface of the soil.

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 The brown stinkbug occurs in Kentucky from early
May through early June. Check corn from time of emergence until the plants are 12
inches tall.
 Examine 20 plants per location for symptoms of stink bug feeding or the insects
themselves. Stink bugs feed at the base of corn plants.

Economic Threshold
 A rescue treatment should be considered if stink bug numbers average one or more per
3 foot row and plants are less than 12 inches tall (extended leaf height).

10. Wireworms
 The larval stage is the destructive stage; larvae may
remain in the ground up to six years feeding on roots
of grasses and other plants.
 Most wireworm larvae are hard, smooth, and
chestnut brown. They vary from 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches
in length when grown. Some species are soft, and
white or yellowish in color.
 The adults, called click beetles, become active in the
spring. This is when they lay their eggs. They are
usually brown streamlined beetles, with the body tapering toward the rear.
  The joint between the thorax and abdomen is loose and flexible, and, when beetles are
placed on their backs, they click their abdomen against the ground to toss themselves
several inches into the air and flip over.

Damage
 Although economic wireworm damage to field crops is rare, when they are a problem
they can be very destructive and difficult to control. They are usually found attacking
crops planted on ground that has been in sod for several years, or the second year
following sod.
 However, wireworm populations may be reduced by half after the second year following
sod. Land that has been in continuous bluegrass sod is more likely to have high
numbers of wireworms than fescue sod.
 Crops attacked by wireworms have reduced plant populations, since they feed on the
seeds prior to germination or just after germination.
 The plant stand may continue to deteriorate, because wireworms bore into underground
portions of the stem, causing plants to wither and die. They continue to feed upon the
small roots of many plants throughout the season.

IPM Techniques and Scouting Procedures

 Since the wireworm causes damage by boring into seeds or into the base of the
seedling, fields should be checked for wireworms before planting. Bait stations are used
to check for wireworms. Two stations are recommended per acre.
 Bait stations, which are really solar traps, are made by digging a hole 4 inches deep
and about 9 inches wide. You will need to place 1/2 cup of untreated corn/wheat
mixture in the bottom of the hole. The hole is then filled with loose dirt. Do not pack the
dirt. The area should then be covered with plastic. Gases produced by the breakdown
of the corn/wheat mixture will attract wireworms to the station.
 Stations should be set at least 3 weeks before your planned planting date. The stations
should be checked by digging them up in about 2 weeks. You need to record the
number of wireworms found in each station.
 Fields can also be checked by digging 5 random samples. Be sure to sample suspect
areas. Samples should be 1 foot square and 6 inches deep. This type of sampling
should also be done before corn is planted and the number of wireworms in each
sample should be recorded.

Economic Threshold
 If you find one or more wireworms per bait station, use a soil insecticide at planting.
Rescue treatments after damage is visible are not effective. If damage is sufficient to
justify replanting, a soil insecticide should be applied during replanting. 

B) Diseases of Corn

1. Anthracnose in Corn

Symptoms
 Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum
graminicola, is often the first disease that shows up on
corn.
 Small, round to irregular, water-soaked spots first
appear on lower leaves. Spots later turn yellow and
 then brown with reddish-brown borders. Yellow zones often develop around the leaf
spots.
 Numerous spots can cause leaf tips or entire leaves to turn yellow. With the aid of a hand
lens, black spines can be seen arising from the center of the spots. The leaf-spotting
phase of the disease generally doesn't occur past the knee-high stage of corn growth.

Cause
 The fungal pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola is the causal agent of anthracnose in
corn. Anthracnose is common early in the season in fields where debris from the
previous year was left on the soil. This early season disease phase is generally more
severe in fields where continuous no-till corn has been grown. It causes a leaf spot
disease when corn is in the seedling stage. The pathogen is disseminated by wind and
rain splash.
 Plants become somewhat resistant to the leaf-spotting phase as the crop develops. If
weather conditions are favorable for continued development of the disease (high
moisture and moderate temperatures), plants become susceptible to the "top-
dieback" and stalk rot disease phases later in the season.
 Detection of anthracnose at the seedling stage should alert scouts to watch for the
disease later in the season. The fungus also affects a number of grass species. The
presence of infected grasses in or near corn fields could represent a continuing source
of new infection.

IPM Techniques
 Observations should be made every three weeks when plants are between the knee-
high and whorl stages. Observe two rows of plants 10 feet in length at several
representative locations. Report severity of the disease according to the following rating
scale:
0 – no anthracnose
1 – lower most leaf contains some yellow anthracnose lesions
2 – lower most leaf yellowed and dried up, anthracnose lesions found on second
and third leaves
3 – second and third leaves dried up and anthracnose found on highest leaves.
 Plant resistant hybrids and varieties, especially in no-till fields. Resistance to seedling
leaf blight does not guarantee resistance to anthracnose stalk rot.
 A balanced soil fertility will help plants resist infection.
 Rotate away from corn for one to two years, especially in no-till fields.

2. Seedling Blights in Corn

Symptoms
 Pre-emergence symptoms often include a soft rot of
stem tissue and discoloration of affected areas
ranging from whitish-gray to pink, to dark brown or
black. Seeds may rot before or after germination.
(Infected seedling is on the right in this photo.) Post-
emergence symptoms are yellowing, wilting and
death of leaves.
 Examine plant roots thoroughly to rule out the possibility of insect injury from rootworm
or cutworm. Root symptoms of seedling blights include rotting of the roots, which may
appear brown, watersoaked, faintly pink or greenish-blue. This can result in an uneven
stand height later in the season.
 Cause
 Seedling blights are caused by common fungi found in soils. Pythium, Stenocarpella,
and Fusarium are the three fungi most often associated with seedling blight.
 Look for seedling blight in poorly drained, compacted, or cold, wet soils. The disease
usually does not limit stands, but can do so when seedlings are stressed.
 Chemical injury may show similar symptoms to seeding blight, but damage usually
follows closely the patterns of application and this is especially evident at the turn rows.
True seedling blights, on the other hand, are usually scattered with no regular pattern
other than an association with low, wet areas.

IPM Techniques
 Corn plants should be checked for seedling blights soon after emergence and two more
times at two-week intervals.
 Observe two rows of plants 10 feet in length at scouting sites. The number of random
sites you should observe when scouting a field is based on the size of the field. To
determine the number of scouting sites.
 Report the severity of the disease according to the following rating scale:
0 = no seedling blight observed
1 = 1-4% of plants affected
2 = 5-20% of plants affected
3 = 21-100% of plants affected
 Plant seeds in moist soils when soil temperature at 2 inch depth measured after sunrise
exceeds 50 degrees F.
 Place herbicide, fertilizer, insecticide and seed properly to avoid stress and injury to
seedlings.
 Use injury-free, high quality seed and use good cultural practices to decrease the
likelihood of seedling diseases.
 Seed-protection fungicides can also decrease fungal disease occurrence

3. Virus Complex in Corn

Symptoms
 Corn plants affected with the virus complex generally
lack vigor, have an off-green to yellowish color, may
be stunted and may develop reddening of leaves in
mid to late season.
 Closer examination of leaves may reveal mottling,
yellow to dark-green mosaic patterns or light green
to yellow streaks and stripes in leaves.
 Nutrient problems can sometimes be confused with
the virus complex.
 However, nutrient problems generally affect plants in an area whereas viruses often,
but not always, appear to strike individual plants or small clusters of plants, which may
or may not be surrounded by healthy plants.

Cause
 Viruses are often found in fields with a rhizome Johnson grass problem and where
susceptible corn hybrids are grown. The photograph at left shows Johnson grass that is
infected with a virus and shows the typical streaking in the leaves.
 IPM Techniques
 Examine the field once per month in June, July and August. Observe two rows of plants
10 feet in length at several representative locations. Report severity of the disease
according to the following rating scale:
0 – no virus symptoms observed
1 - 1-4% of plants showing symptoms, plants have an off-green color, little or no
stunting
2 - 5-20% of plants showing symptoms, definite off-green color, some plants
stunted
3 - greater than 20% of plants showing symptoms, definite stunting in many of the
plants, some plants have reddish leaves, ears are absent or small and poorly
developed
 Plant non-susceptible hybrids.
 Eliminate Johnson grass rhizomes in and around the field.

4. Common Rust in Corn

Symptoms
 The common rust fungus attacks corn leaves by
producing circular to oblong golden-brown to
cinnamon-brown pustules on upper and lower leaf
surfaces.
 Rust pustules contain a thin membrane that
ruptures, exposing the brightly colored spores of the
fungus. About mid-season, these pustules turn
brownish-black in color. Look for them on middle to
upper leaves.

Cause
 Common rust is caused by Puccinia sorghi. Periods of cool temperatures of 16-23
degrees C and high relative humidity favor development and spread of this rust
species.

IPM Techniques
 Fields should be examined every four weeks from whorl through dent stage. Scouts
should observe two rows of plants 10 feet in length at several representative
locations throughout the field. Report severity of the disease according to the following
rating scale:
0 - no symptoms
1 - a few pustules on a few leaves of some plants
2 - most leaves on all plants with scattered populated pustules
3 - nearly all leaves of all plants with numerous pustules, some leaves turned brown
and withered.
 Plant resistant hybrids.

5. Southern Rust in Corn

Symptoms
  Symptoms are somewhat similar to common rust, however, with southern rust the
pustules (uredia) are cinnamon brown, circular to oval and densely scattered on the
upper leaf surface.
 The chocolate brown to black stage (telia) is circular to elongate and frequently appear
as circles around the uredial pustules.
 Southern rust pustules (containing the spores) remain covered by the epidermis for a
longer time than do those of common rust.

Cause
 Southern rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora. Development of the disease
is favored during periods of high temperature and high relative humidity.
 Southern rust does not occur as often from year to year as does common rust. On
susceptible hybrids, the disease can develop very rapidly during warm, humid
conditions.

IPM Techniques
 Fields should be examined every four weeks from whorl through dent stage. Scouts
should observe two rows of plants 10 feet in length at several representative locations
throughout the field. Report severity of the disease according to the following rating
scale:
0 - no symptoms;
1 - a few pustules on a few leaves of some plants;
2 - most leaves on all plants contain scattered populated pustules;
3 - nearly all leaves of all plants contain numerous pustules, some leaves are
chlorotic and dry.
 Plant resistant hybrids.
 Avoid late planting.

6. Stalk Rots of Corn

Symptoms
 Symptoms of stalk rots are frequently first noted on early maturing varieties and on corn
stalks producing two ears. Some surface discoloration, especially around the nodes,
may be noted.

Causes
 The development of stalk rots in corn depends on a number of factors including:
unbalanced fertility, low potassium (K), poor soil drainage, mechanical and/or insect
damage, foliar diseases, corn variety, excessive plant density and inadequate row
spacing.

IPM Techniques
 Examine the field once at harvest maturity before crop is harvested.
 When scouting for stalk rot, examine 20 stalks in each of five sites per field.
 Check for stalk rot by either of the following methods:
a. Squeeze the base of the stalk with your hand or
b. At about chest height, push the stalk 8 to 10 inches from its vertical position to
check for lodging.
 Note the type of stalk rot and the number of plants showing symptoms. Some plants
may have more than one type of stalk rot present. If so, record all the types present.
  A field should be scheduled for early harvest if 10-15% of the plants are showing stalk
rot.
 If harvesting early, be sure to dry grain quickly to prevent ear and kernel rots.
 To minimize stalk rot in the future, plant resistant varieties and hybrids.

7. Fusarium Ear Rot

Symptoms
 The more common ear rots occurring in Kentucky
include: ear rot and Fusarium ear rot. Fusarium
kernel or ear rot usually infects only individual or
groups of kernels scattered over the ear.
 Salmon-pink to reddish-brown discoloration occurs
on the kernels, especially in areas that have been
damaged by corn earworms or corn borers.
 Fusarium ear rot is of particular concern because it may contain fumonisins, mycotoxins
that can produce fatal conditions in swine and horses.

Cause
 Ear rots are caused by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme. Injury to kernels may favor
this disease.

IPM Techniques
 Observe for ear rot from dough stage through harvest.
 Choose hybrids in which ears are well- covered by husks, and which mature with ears
pointing downward.
 Clean bins before storage.
 Harvest at about 25% moisture followed by drying to 15% moisture within 24-48 hours
for shelled corn to minimize kernel damage and field losses.

8. Aspergillus Ear Rot in Corn

Symptoms
 Ear rots show up as moldy growth on ears and kernels. Aspergillus ear rot can be
identified as a greenish-yellow mold on and between kernels.

Cause
 The causal agent for Aspergillus ear rot is the fungus, Aspergillus flavus. This fungus
produces aflatoxins, potent mycotoxins which are regulated by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). A laboratory test of the harvested corn is recommended where
Aspergillus ear rot is suspected.
 Drought and high temperature during grain fill favor this ear rot. Also, kernel injury from
insects, birds, and other factors can enhance the risk from this disease.

IPM Techniques
 Observe for ear rot from dough stage through harvest.
 Choose hybrids in which ears are well- covered by husks, and which mature with ears
pointing downward.
 Clean bins before storage.
  Dispose of waste corn around bins before storage.
 Harvest at about 25% moisture and dry to 15% moisture within 24-48 hours for shelled
corn to minimize kernel damage and field losses.

9. Gray Leaf Spot in Corn

Symptoms
 Early foliar symptoms of gray leaf spot appear as
pinpoint olive-green spots about 1/16 inch in size.
 These develop into slightly elongated, roughly
parallel-sided lesions with a yellow halo. Halos can
best be seen by holding an infected leaf up to the
light.
 After about two weeks these symptoms become mature rectangular lesions
characteristic of gray leaf spot.
 Under heavy disease pressure, entire leaves may be blighted. Unlike many other corn
foliar diseases, gray leaf spot lesions will remain evident on completely blighted leaves,
even at maturity. Severely affected leaves will have a grayish cast because the lesions
produce so many spores of the fungus.
 Gray leaf spot develops first on lower leaves and may spread upward to the highest
leaf. Regardless of planting date, initial symptoms of gray leaf spot generally will not
appear until anthesis.

Cause
 Gray leaf spot is caused by the fungus Cercospora zeae-maydis. Corn is the only crop
know to be attacked by this fungus. The fungus survives the winter in undecomposed
corn residue.
 The fungus will usually survive for no more than two years; often, one year away from
corn allows for substantial reduction in risk.
 When infested residue is buried during tillage operations, fungus survival is greatly
reduced. The risk of gray leaf epidemics is greatest in no-till fields where corn is grown
without rotation.
 In early summer the fungus within the infested debris produces spores which are
carried by the wind to the new corn crop.
 Infections occur during repeated, prolonged periods (11-13 hours) of leaf wetness and
high humidity (>95%). Moist conditions and daily temperatures of 70-85 degrees F are
ideal for gray leaf spot to develop.

IPM Techniques
 Plants should be examined for gray leaf spot every two weeks from tasseling to
maturity.
 Observe two rows of plants 10 feet in length at several representative locations. The
number of random sites you should observe when scouting a field is based on the size
of the field.
 Report the severity of the disease according to the following rating scale:
0 - no symptoms;
1 - a few lesions on lower leaves of some plants
2 - nearly all plants have some lesions and lesions are not confined to only lower
leaves;
3 - all plants have lesions on nearly all leaves, some or all leaves dried up and
killed.
  Plant hybrids with partial resistance, especially when grown without rotation under
reduced tillage.
 Rotate away from corn for 1 - 2 years.

10. Bacterial Wilt in Corn

Symptoms
 Sweet corn is much more susceptible to Stewart's
Wilt than field corn.
 The disease is characterized by leaves showing pale
green to yellow streaks with irregular or wavy
margins that parallel the leaf veins. The streaks may
extend the length of the leaf.
 These symptoms may resemble drought stress,
nutrient deficiency or insect injury. Later, the streaked
areas may die and become straw colored; sometimes entire leaves die and dry up.
 Infections are most common early in the pre-tassel (whorl) stage, or after tasseling.
Early season symptoms include plant death: seedlings infected with Stewart's Wilt wilt
rapidly and die.
 Look for dark brown cavities in the lower stalk pith with no evidence of insect injury on
the lower stalk. Infections after tasseling are generally more severe on upper leaves.

Cause
 The causal agent of bacterial wilt is Erwinia stewartii which is transmitted by the corn
flea beetle. The bacterium overwinters in the body of corn flea beetles and is spread by
their feeding.
 The streak symptoms originate from feeding marks of the corn flea beetle. The disease
is more prevalent following mild winters.

IPM Techniques
 Plants should be examined for Stewart's Wilt every four weeks from kneehigh through
whorl stages and again every four weeks after tasseling until dent stage.
 Observe two rows of plants 10 feet in length at several representative locations. The
number of random sites you should observe when scouting a field is based on the size
of the field.
 Report the severity of the disease according to the following rating scale:
0 - no bacterial wilt symptoms;
1 - an occasional streak lesion on several plants or one dead plant;
2 - all plants contain bacterial wilt lesions on one or more leaves or 2 to 10% of
plants dead;
3 - leaves severely wilted and dropping, nearly all leaves of all plants affected or
over 10% of plants killed.
 Plant resistant hybrids and varieties.
 Early application of insecticides to control infestations of corn flea beetles is suggested.
 Topic 3. IPM Practices for Corn

Several important disease, insect, and weed problems can affect profitability of field corn
production in New York. The most important pests are seed corn maggots, cutworms, armyworm,
European corn borer, western and northern corn rootworms, ear molds, foliage and stalk diseases,
and weeds. Some additional pests may occasionally cause economic losses. Integrated pest
management (IPM) methods can be used to help minimize or avoid pest damage.
Many species of birds are a pest problem annually for corn growers in areas in New York
State. Birds can greatly reduce corn plant populations in fields, and many farmers indicate they do not
achieve high yields in fields with high bird pressure. A biological seed treatment, called Avipel Shield,
is marketed to repel birds from feeding on newly planted corn seed and seedlings.

IPM Practices that can help Manage Pests

Agronomic practices that can help manage destructive insects include:
 Crop rotation that disrupts the insect life cycle (non-variant corn rootworm as an example)
 Use of seed treatments.
 Use of seed products containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) traits that protect the plant from
specified insects (corn rootworms, corn borers, cutworm, earworm)
 Use of particular pests are determined to be likely present prior to planting and are unable to
be managed after planting.
 Tillage that destroys residue that harbors insect larvae or adults.
 Control of weeds that harbour insect larvae or adults through mechanical or chemical means.
 Use of foliar insecticides to control insects that have reached economic threshold population
levels.
Activities
Directions: Answer the following questions and give what is being asks. Write your answers
on any size bond paper. NOT on pad paper. Strictly no copying!
1. List down the different varieties of corn (e.g. sweet corn, green corn) and write atleast 2
problems insect pests and diseases of that type of legume. (More types of legumes and
pest/diseases, more points).
2. Google/search how weeds affect corn grain crops. Explain how it reduces its yield.
3. What are the crops intercropped between corn crops to control its insect pests?
4. List down some cultural practices of corn to manage insect pests and diseases.
5. List the Best Management Practices (BMPs) used in Corn crops.

Self-Assessment
Self-Assessment is served as your quiz and it will be on the Google form. Wait for the announcement
for the said quiz. Please read comprehensively your module to be able to answer the questions.

References
a. Importance of pest management in corn at https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/field-corn-
insect/cultural-practices/.
b. Insect pests and diseases of Corn at https://ipm.ca.uky.edu/cornlist.
c. IPM in Corn at https://fieldcrops.cals.cornell.edu/corn/ipm-practices-corn/