Control of Small, Medium, and Large Corn Earworms and Effect of Treatments on Nabids and Geocorids on Peanuts in Alabama, 1983

This field test was conducted on peanuts planted in a light clay loam soil at the Auburn Univ. Wiregrass Agric. Exp. Substn. of Headland, Ala. Six treatments and an untreated check were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Each 0.011 acre plot was four rows wide (36-in. row spacing, each ‘row’ consisting of two 7-in. separated double rows) and 40 ft long. Treatments were applied on 12 Aug. with a tractor-mounted boom sprayer equipped with three TX6 hollow cone nozzles per row operating at 40 lb/in2 and delivering 15 gal/acre. Insect populations were sampled by placing a standard 3 ft beat sheet between the rows and beating the plants on both sides. Corn earworm larvae were identified and assigned a classification of small (instars, 1 to 2), medium (instars, 3 to 4), or large instars 5+). They were then counted and recorded along with any predaceous arthropods present. Three samples from each plot were taken 3, 5, and 10 days postspray (15, 17, and 22 Aug.).