Five locations reported trap catches this week.  All had low levels of European corn borer, with the highest catch at 7 in Farmington.

Because of the warm spring temperatures, European corn borer flights started about a week earlier this year than last.  We have had flights start this early other years, so not unprecedented.  These numbers are not high enough to take any action.  Growers with corn that will be advanced to the late whorl to early tassel stage during the first generation flight should keep in mind that larvae resulting from eggs laid in these stages will not appear in the emerging tassel, so treatment decisions in these fields should not be based on scouting.  One or two insecticide applications soon after peak flight to prevent larvae from boring into the plant has been effective for controlling ECB on this very advanced corn.