Corn Earworm Control on Peanuts, North Carolina, 1986

Peanuts were grown under standard production practices in sandy soil at a location in Gates Co. Plots 4 rows wide (36 inch centers) by 20 ft long were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates per treatment. Insecticides were applied using a C02 backpack sprayer delivering 35 gal/acre at 40 psi with 8002 flat fan nozzles. Treatments were applied on 26 Aug under sunny conditions and temperatures around 85F. Ten consecutive row ft of each plot was sampled just before and 24 h after treatment using a standard beat cloth technique. Pretreatment counts determined the caterpillar populations to be 90% corn earworms and the rest fall armyworms and yellowstriped armyworms. Most caterpillars were fourth or fifth instar. Foliage was dry during both treatment and sampling.