European corn borer field day announced

By Andi Anderson

The European Corn Borer (ECB), a significant pest affecting corn yields, is making a noticeable return after decades of suppression by genetically modified crops.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in collaboration with the USDA, is responding with a specialized field day scheduled for July 17 near Ames, aimed at educating farmers and crop scouts on modern detection and management strategies.

The event will be hosted at the Field Extension Education Laboratory, 1928 240th St. near Boone. The day's agenda includes discussions on current ECB challenges, practical trapping, detection techniques, and both generations of ECB scouting.

Leading the sessions are Erin Hodgson, an esteemed professor and extension entomologist at Iowa State, and Ashley Dean, extension education specialist.

They will be supported by USDA entomologists Tom Sappington, Brad Coates, and Craig Abel, offering a deep dive into the biology and management of ECB.

Erin Hodgson highlights the importance of the event, “This educational event will explain how to detect European corn borer, why it’s showing up again, and what agronomists and crop consultants can do to help safeguard the industry.”

Preventive Strategies Before the advent of Bt corn, ECB was known as "the billion-dollar bug" due to its extensive damage.

Hodgson and Dean emphasize the resurgence of this pest and advise on best practices such as planting pyramid Bt hybrids that utilize multiple toxins for effective ECB control, conserving beneficial insects, and managing crop residues to mitigate overwintering larvae.

Registration Information The field day is free, with lunch and continuing education credits available. Participants are encouraged to register by July 10. Click Here to register.

This event is crucial for those involved in corn agriculture to refresh their knowledge on ECB and integrate new strategies into their pest management practices, ensuring preparedness against potential outbreaks.

Photo Credit -gettyimages-dale-fornoff