Ear-Infesting Insect Control in Sweet Corn in Pennsylvania, 1995

Sweet corn was planted on 6 Jun near University Park (Centre Co.), with rows 2.5 ft apart. The design was a RCB (5 blocks per treatment). Plots (treatments within blocks) were two rows wide by 35 ft long, with 2 untreated rows on each side. Blocks were separated lengthwise by 10-ft alleyways. Sprays were delivered with a high-clearance sprayei with two nozzles/row set at tassel height at a 45° downward angle. Sprays were applied at 52 gal/acre, nozzle pressure 35psi, and tractor speed 2.6 mph Sprays were applied on 28 July, and 2, 7, 10, 15 and 18 August. At harvest (22 August), 20 ears were picked randomly from each plot. For each ear the number of insects of each species was noted. For each 20-ear sample (plot), the proportions of the sample with insect damage at the tip, side, and shank were noted.