The European Corn Borer (ECB),
Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), is an introduced insect species, a
moth larva, and the most damaging insect pest of maize as it feeds on
sweet, grain and silage corn.
The ECB significantly
affects production of field corn, popcorn, seed corn, and sweet corn, as
well as other crops (including sorghum, cotton, and many vegetables).
Damage
The European
Corn Borer may cause several types of damage. Where this pest is active,
the development of borers in corn stalks:
-
interferes with the flow of
nutrients in the host plant
-
enhances infection by stalk
diseases
-
causes stalk breakage and ear drop
prior to harvest
-
reduces corn yield
-
causes significant economic losses
during a growing season.
This devastating crop pest can reduce maize yield by as
much as 15 percent, in years of high infestation. In addition, the damage
to maize kernels leads to higher levels of fungal infestation and
production of mycotoxins.
The European Corn Borer
Whorl-stage corn with
windowpane characteristic, shot holes, and frass on leaves, all indicators
of European corn borer larval feeding.
Tassel-stage corn with
leaf blade damage and frass resulting from European corn borer larvae
leaf-sheath-feeding near the leaf collar.
Stalk lodging as a
result of significant infestation by European Corn Borer
European corn borer
causes minimal loss to field corn from direct feeding on mature kernels.
Sources:
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Full Report PDF
GM Maize in Spain
GM Maize in Spain Summary
Bt Fact Sheet
European Corn Borer Fact
Sheet
Long term success of Bt corn on controlling European Corn Borer
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