June 15, 2007

Figure 1. Common stalk borer

Common stalk borers will be moving into corn from nearby grassy areas and damage will soon be visible.

At first, large shotholes can be seen, and later, as the stalk borers burrow into the plant, the plant looks very ragged and stunted. Common stalk borer damage is occasionally confused with corn borer damage, but is usually confined to a few rows that border grassy areas.

Identification: The larva is pale white, with dark brown to purplish stripes that converge to form a saddle shape along the middle of the body. Once the larvae have entered the stalks, there is no control available.

Keith Jarvi
Extension IPM
Northeast REC, Norfolk