DOSE–MORTALITY RESPONSE OF EUROPEAN CORN BORER (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) THIRD-INSTAR LARVAE TO SELECTED INSECTICIDES

Abstract

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, continues to be a consistent economic pest of field and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) in the upper midwestem United States. In Minnesota alone, O. nubilalis control costs and losses to sweet corn (ca. 50 630 ha) exceed $5,000,000 annually (Noetzel et al. 1985). Despite recent efforts to implement alternatives (Lewis and Bing 1991; Prokrym et al. 1992; Bartels and Hutchison 1993; Bolin et al. 1993), insecticide control continues to play a central role in O. nubilalis management programs.