Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to
ADDRESSING EVOLVING CORN EARWORM MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN SWEET CORN GROWN IN THE EASTERN US
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031455
Grant No.
2023-51181-41157
Cumulative Award Amt.
$3,500,000.00
Proposal No.
2023-05627
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2023
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2027
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[SCRI]- Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Project Director
Hamby, K.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Corn earworm is the most significant pest of sweet corn in the US. Warming winters could result in worsening corn earworm pressure, as populations emerge earlier, increase faster, and more rapidly develop insecticide resistance. Best management practices are needed to deal with the evolving corn earworm threat, especially in the environmentally sensitive Eastern US where current monitoring and management approaches provide unpredictable and insufficient protection, reducing sweet corn profitability via both unexpected losses and unnecessary applications. Producers face near zero tolerance for ear damage. This project aims to improve our knowledge of corn earworm pest pressure, delivering risk maps and models that help to anticipate and avoid crop loss as well as look to future changes due to climate and resistance. This will be accomplished by measuring local overwintering success as well as early season activity and migration patterns, developing a spread model, and monitoring resistance to plant incorporated Bt toxins and foliar insecticides. To improve integrated pest management of corn earworm, we will develop best practices for trapping adult moths and system-specific dynamic thresholds that help producers reliably predict risk and make appropriate management decisions. We will also optimize management programs to effectively manage pests while mitigating impacts to natural enemies and pollinators. Their cost-effectiveness and return on investment will be determined. Accessible and relevant resources will be developed and disseminated to communicate results from this project. This will be accomplished with a centralized website, regular extension networking and information sharing calls, annual webinars, on-farm research and demonstrations, and collaborations with stakeholders including our advisory panel. We will solicit feedback from the advisory panel and other stakeholders throughout the project to evaluate project deliverables and impact, compiling our findings into impact statements. Interview approaches will be used to increase our understanding of stakeholder networks and decision making to help identify opportunities to expand our network and reach as well as increase adoption of best practices.Our ultimate goal is to help reduce corn earworm losses and management expenses, increasing sweet corn profitability and preserving consumer access to local vegetables. This work will protect applicators, pollinators, consumers, and the environment by encouraging judicious use of broad-spectrum insecticide sprays. We will also improve regional applied research and extension capacity, with a focus on increased efficiency and delivery of tools that will be updated and supported for the long term. In the long term, our project will help sweet corn production become more productive, resilient against climate change, sustainable, and competitive in the global market.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
15%
Applied
80%
Developmental
5%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2111480106010%
2161480106020%
6011480301010%
2113110106010%
2163110106010%
6013110301010%
6015299301010%
2166010308010%
2113110206010%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1480 - Sweetcorn; 5299 - Agricultural supplies, general/other; 3110 - Insects; 6010 - Individuals;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 3010 - Economics; 3080 - Sociology; 2060 - Geography;
Goals / Objectives
This project aims to improve our knowledge of corn earworm spatiotemporal population patterns, delivering risk maps and models that help to anticipate and avoid crop loss, corn earworm resistance management recommendations, best practices for monitoring, dynamic thresholds, and economical management programs that mitigate risks to human health, natural enemies, and pollinators.Our specific project objectives are as follows:1. Characterize changes in population patterns in response to climate and insecticides1.1 Understand changing spatiotemporal population dynamics1.2 Monitor resistance to plant incorporated Bt toxins and foliar insecticides2. Optimize decision support systems and IPM programs2.1 Optimize corn earworm captures for monitoring2.2 Create dynamic threshold recommendations and forecast corn earworm pressure2.3 Improve sustainable pest management programs3. Develop system-based costs and returns estimates for sweet corn3.1 Characterize production inputs and impact of corn earworm3.2 Determine best management practice returns on investment4. Promote adoption of cost-effective best management practices4.1 Deliver user-friendly products, demonstrate best practices on-farm, and assess impact4.2 Qualitative analysis to assess value of Extension efforts
Project Methods
Objective 11.1. We will determine the origins of early season moths, specifically whether they are locally overwintered or southerly migrants using early season pheromone trap captures and a combined assessment of wing condition and stable isotope analyses. The Pest or Pathogen Spread Model will be adapted for corn earworm and used to simulate reproduction, dispersal, and establishment of corn earworm over time to explore changes in population cycles due to abiotic and biotic factors. We will measure corn earworm overwintering and early season activity in at least 5 states with a climate and latitudinal gradient. Timing and duration of oviposition data from early season larval scouting together with early adult trapping along a latitudinal gradient will determine where successful overwintering occurs and when moth emergence and oviposition begin in the Eastern US.1.2. Although producers report reduced control of corn earworm from Bt hybrids and pyrethroid insecticides, they remain key components of their pest management programs. Early and late season efficacy of Bt hybrids will be measured using sentinel sweet corn plots and we will also monitor resistance to foliar insecticides at two points in the season using adult vial bioassays. Our research-based information will help determine expected levels of control and improve management decisions.Evaluation. Metrics will include the number of sites surveyed, the experimental results, and the number of stakeholders reached with information regarding seasonal pest pressure and efficacy of products. Multiple research tools (isoscapes, models) will be made publicly available.Objective 22.1 We will determine the biological activity of lures and determine the frequency at which they must be changed, which underlies annual monitoring costs. Side-by-side comparisons of trap type × lure combinations under differing corn earworm pressures and analysis of capture variation will provide robust monitoring recommendations and will facilitate correlations between different trapping systems. For instance, if Scentry® Heliothis traps consistently capture fewer moths than Hartstack traps, a correction factor could allow for their use in some situations. Aligning our regional monitoring networks to an optimal trap type × lure combination (even a few combinations would be a significant improvement) will improve our ability to compare captures and assist growers.2.2 We will conduct coordinated threshold experiments at a minimum of six research farms across a latitudinal gradient of locations where corn earworm overwinters in the south (persistent high pressure: NC & VA) and migratory populations in the north (sporadic low/moderate pressure: DE, MD, NY). In each year, we will establish a standardized randomized complete block design experiment at each location to test the interaction between planting date, moth activity, Bt hybrids, and the insecticide intervention threshold. Ear protection and marketable yield data will be recorded for a range of different CEW moth activity levels and treatment threshold regimes. In combination with results from other parts of this project, we will be able to establish a threshold framework that accounts for probable infestation pressure, input efficacy, and economic loss potential at different damage levels.2.3 Insecticide spray regimes that include biorational insecticide options will be evaluated in field experiments determining efficacy against pests and non-target impacts to beneficials in Bt and non-Bt sweet corn. Ear protection and marketable yield data recorded from a range of different treatment schedules and corn earworm moth activity levels will be used to develop the most effective scheduling and rotation regime of insecticide products for different sweet corn production systems. Collecting data on beneficial arthropods and other pests of sweet corn will enable us to promote holistic sustainable sweet corn IPM programs. Stakeholder-driven on-farm research will increase awareness of and openness to alternative tactics.Evaluation. Metrics will include changes in attitude towards using trapping data to make spray decisions, confidence in sweet corn IPM programs, and willingness to adopt Bt hybrids and biorational insecticides.Objective 33.1 We will draw on information from multiple sources as inputs to model the costs and benefits of several monitoring and management control programs: 1) data we collected while conducting research, 2) targeted surveys of sweet corn growers, and 3) existing crop budget and agricultural marketing data. Specifically, the team will quantify monitoring and management inputs on research farms and cooperating farms to develop estimates of per-unit costs for each of the inputs and CEW damage outcomes for different management regimes.3.2 Estimates of net financial returns from a) specified interventions against specified infestations, for b) alternative production systems, with c) summaries of the sensitivity of the estimates to assumptions about product and input prices and the value of growers' time will be developed. The findings will be summarized into guidance for growers and other stakeholders. In addition, estimates of the net financial returns from improved trapping and forecasting methods will allow for closer alignment of control strategies with infestations.Evaluation. Metrics will include changes in attitude towards alternatives and intention to adopt practices.Objective 44.1 We will develop a central website, real-time risk maps, coordinate of Extension information, and distance educate to disseminate a wide variety of user-friendly products and tools. On-farm demonstrations and stakeholder advisory panel expertise will facilitate revisions that ensure compatibility with sweet corn production practices and encourage adoption. Project team members will help measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills/actions, aspirations, and conditions during webinars and on-farm grower meetings and our evaluation team will compile findings in impact narratives.4.2 Project team members will recruit at least 30 producers who already use Extension information as well as 30 producers who do not currently use Extension information (~5 from each grower group in each participating state) who grow on at least 10 acres for a commercial market and are willing to be interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The interview questions will address growers' experiences engaging with IPM and with the project's education and outreach approach. This work will determine the value assigned to our programming, identify barriers to involvement and adoption, and reveal information that will help increase our reach.Evaluation. Metrics will include changes in the number of participants in each activity as well as the number of stakeholders receiving science-based information on sweet corn IPM. In addition, changes in confidence and attitudes associated with best practices will be quantified. Project metrics for all objectives will be evaluated by recording participation as well as using paper and online surveys, zoom polling, and interviews. Impact statements will also be developed.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Information was shared with organic and conventional sweet corn growers, crop consultants, agri-business personnel, IPM professionals, university cooperative extension educators, and colleagues from other institutions who focus on sweet corn production and management. In addition, extension personnel, crop consultants, and entomologists with interest in corn earworm management were reached. Audiences at local, regional, and national scales were reached. Beyond that audience, we reached the next generation of IPM practitioners. Changes/Problems:Dr. Analena Bruce, our sociology lead, is leaving the project team due to unforeseen changes in her capacity including her teaching load. She was able to participate in the January stakeholder advisory panel meeting and provide guidance on potential sociological research directions, but otherwise has not used her funding for this project and is returning the remainder of the University of New Hampshire's budget with approval from her institution. This means we will not be able to compare the networks and decision making of "insider" (clientele who already engage with extension) and "outsider" (clientele who are new to extension) farmers. Instead, we propose for Dr. David Lane the evaluation specialist at the Northeastern IPM center, to expand his role. He plans to collect and analyze data on change in behavior and attitudes towards corn earworm IPM practices and work to understand stakeholder decision-making processes including barriers to adoption and opportunities for improvement. He plans to use a multi-pronged approach that includes polling during project webinars, a survey to gather data to compare with our 2021 needs assessment data, and semi-structured interviews and focus groups. In addition, he plans to take advantage of NASS chemical use survey data for triangulation. We have been working with NIFA and our institutional offices of research to formalize this alternative plan and revised budget. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Multiple early career scientists were provided training as part of this project, including identifying insect pests of sweet corn, sweet corn production, and integrated pest management topics. In addition, these trainees got experience and exposure to experimental design, best practices in data collection and curation, and other key topics. Important professional development opportunities, such as networking with the project team during team meetings and other scientists and extension professionals at conferences and extension events were also provided. Specifically, a summer assistant and technicians from our Suffolk County, NY Vegetable Program received training on identification and monitoring of corn earworm and other insect pests of sweet corn. Cornell PIs hired 1) Dr. John Mahas as a post-doctoral research associate to assist with multiple research and extension objectives and 2) Petra Hafker, graduate student, organized, labeled and prepared all the corn earworm samples we received for isotopic analysis. Petra has also started her training in isotope data analysis. North Carolina State has hired one PhD student to research corn earworm spread modeling via the Center for Geospatial Analytics. This student will be tasked with research relating to regional scale movement and also local scale variation in moth abundance that will be directly relevant to stakeholders wishing to optimize trap networks. Dr. Chia-Hua Lue, Dr. Maria Cramer, Shea Ill, Kyree Day, Em Kohanski, Arthur Young, and Daniela Anconeira Sayco received professional development in Maryland. Brian Currin, a Masters student at Virginia Tech, presented his research proposal seminar on sweet corn IPM to the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, and others via Zoom and also participated in the Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting in March 2024. Additionally, five graduate students and two undergraduates at Virginia Tech assisted in harvesting and rating the Bt sweet corn evaluations from two locations in Virginia and were educated on corn earworm biology and damage, as well as other insect pests of sweet corn, as well as transgenic sweet corn hybrids. Project personnel learned about adapting costs and returns estimates, and survey methods, to a product with near-continuous planting and harvest. Project personnel received training on use of EDDMapS for data collection and sharing among project partners. This includes general awareness of visualizations that can be created to provide information to growers in real-time. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The project team has built, populated, and published our project website, https://www.cewipm.org/, which will broaden our reach and help clientele find the resources they need. Newsletters, blog posts, and other update articles (19) were disseminated to more than 1,705 subscribers. Corn earworm trapping data was also provided in season via extension web portals in North Carolina (https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/trap-data/) and Delaware (https://agdev.anr.udel.edu/trap/trap.php), and many team members began transitioning their trap capture data to the publicly available EDDMaps database, which was facilitated by online training of project participants and updates on the current status of the database at project coordination meetings. 19 extension presentations at winter meetings and field day events reached more than 763 people locally, regionally, and nationally. Topics included preliminary results for our corn earworm trapping studies, current best management practices, and outlined our future research plans involving management of corn earworm. In addition, we have engaged several commercial sweet corn growers in the state and greatly expanded our network of stakeholders. This effort will accelerate on-farm research impacts for the duration of this project because many of these growers have significant challenges with corn earworm. We introduced the next generation of IPM professionals to corn earworm management and research through aforementioned training opportunities. In addition, we provided a brief overview of the project during the Intern Science Day in Suffolk County, New York, which reached 65 agricultural and green industry interns and students. 27 agronomy graduate students attended a professional development workshop at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland. Other scientists and extension professionals were reached with 3 talks by project team members at the Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America meeting as well as 2 publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1.1 To determine when corn earworm moths first become active across the eastern US and whether they are from locally overwintered populations and/or migrants from further south we plan to use 1) stable isotope analyses of early season trap captures and 2) experiments examining overwintering success and early season activity. In 2024 we collected moth specimens and reared moths of known origin to begin this analysis, which will be summarized in the next reporting period. We will also collected additional specimens so that year to year variation can be robustly quantified. This winter we will collect corn earworm overwintering survival data in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New York. We also plan to provide resources that help us predict pest pressure, specifically a spread model for which we anticipate preliminary results in during the next reporting period. A very promising student with the statistical skills needed to conduct spread modeling has already been identified and will begin work soon. 1.2 To monitor resistance to plant incorporated Bt toxins we will continue to plant paired plantings of non-Bt and Bt near isoline hybrids to compare the amount of damage during periods with heavy corn earworm pressure. In the next period, we will summarize 2024 data and establish multiple sites for 2025 in New York, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, and at many additional sites with the help of interested collaborators beyond the project. Vial bioassays of adult moths collected from traps will be performed at multiple time points throughout the season to determine whether resistance varies with active ingredient and seasonal timing. This year's results will be summarized and we will continue monitoring to determine whether resistance varies from year to year and to strengthen our findings. 2.1 To improve recommendations for pheromone trap-based monitoring of corn earworm adult moths, we will continue to compare the two most commonly used traps at multiple locations as well as compare different trap*lure combinations. We plan to summarize 2024 results and repeat experiments in 2025. In addition, Cornell team members have been comparing lure longevity and quantifying the pheromone contained in different manufacturer's lures, which will be summarized. 2.2 We plan to repeat threshold experiments to generate a second year of data replicated across multiple field locations. These will include both low- and high-pressure scenarios to draw the best inference possible about the frequency of insecticide application required to mitigate earworm establishment in sweet corn. In addition, we will continue to improve tools for trap capture data collection, aggregation, sharing, and visualization, and work to increase adoption of these tools among team members and collaborators beyond the project team. 2.3 To determine whether corn earworm can be effectively managed with reduced risk products that are less harmful for beneficial insects and natural enemies, we will expand pilot studies conducted in Virginia comparing IPM vs calendar spray approaches as well as different product's impacts on non-targets. We also plan to summarize the data from these studies. Effective management can help avoid additional sprays and we are also working to understand residual efficacy of insecticides. Preliminary data will be summarized and additional replication in 2025 will help provide robust recommendations. 3.1 We intend to disseminate a survey and use the results along with existing publicly available costs and returns information to create a baseline set of costs and returns estimates for different types of producers. This includes working to understand their spray programs and the costs of insecticide materials. 3.2 Project team members will contribute data to enable system-based costs and returns to be estimated for sweet corn. 4.1 We will continue to deliver user-friendly products, demonstrate best practices on-farm, and assess impact, sharing deliverables on our website. For example, during the winter we will present and discuss first year results from our project at grower meetings and will host webinars to expand our reach. We will also continue to have conversations with sweet corn growers about their practices and learn how they are adopting IPM. Extension outputs including prompt reporting of trap captures in season, fact sheets, videos, infographics, publications and other outputs will also be produced and disseminated. For example, team members in Virginia (graduate student Brian Currin and his advisor Dr. Tom Kuhar) will summarize their experiment evaluating a frequent insecticide spray approach (rotating pyrethroids with Beseige) three times a week versus only spraying when pheromone trap catch exceeds threshold (roughly 7 moths) and using IPM-compatible insecticides Vantacor (chlorantraniliprole) and Radiant (spinetoram) only when needed, versus no sprays. They will prepare an extension publication on this project and disseminate it via several channels. 4.2 In conjunction with our outreach webinars, we will conduct polling to support evaluation of the project including changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills/actions, aspirations, and conditions. A survey will be developed and approved by IRB to revisit content from the 2021 needs assessment survey and capture changes. We plan to conduct semi-structured interviews and focus group analyses to gather further information. Adoption of best practices and barriers to adoption will be determined using these approaches as well as through triangulation with pesticide use data.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Critical collaborative infrastructure has been developed including a project Box folder for shared work, a listserv for project collaborators, a project logo, and a website. Project personnel been hired and onboarded. Our first stakeholder advisory panel meeting combined brief presentations with roundtable discussions that successfully solicited advice and feedback from our advisory panel prior to our first field season. Shared project protocols have been developed and executed for all objectives, with data collection from our first field season ongoing. Objective specific accomplishments include: 1.1 Early season corn earworm specimens were collected for stable isotope analysis (~10 states) to determine whether they were overwintered or migratory. In addition, ~17 states reared moths of known origin to calibrate the analysis. Early season sweep net and trap scouting was also used to evaluate corn earworm activity. Methods were developed to evaluate overwintering success and kits were shipped to project team members to establish arenas this fall. 1.2 The project team monitored for Bt resistance using paired Bt and non-Bt plots at multiple locations in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New York, with over 30 collaborators contributing additional data. Preliminary results indicate the Vip3A insecticidal protein continues to work well, with all other proteins providing insufficient standalone protection. Vial bioassays were used to monitor pyrethroid resistance in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New York, with multiple bioassays occurring at each location throughout the season to detect seasonal differences in resistance. Vials (20-mL scintillation type) were treated with 5 ug active ingredient cypermethrin (historic standard test material), lambda cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, and bifenthrin (most commonly used pyrethroids in the mid-Atlantic) and acetone only (check vial). To date, at least 500 moths have been tested per treatment, with differences among treatments observed, but statistical comparison has not yet been made. Vials are dosed at and shipped to collaborators from the University of Delaware Carvel Research and Education Center. Additionally, in Virginia bean-dip bioassays revealed pyrethroid resistance is not static and varies across locations and years. 2.1 We conducted a side-by-side comparisons of Hartstack and Heliothis traps for corn earworm monitoring in New York, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. Results will help to validate or refute the similarity of trap design for earworm detection and estimation of relative population size. Our preliminary comparisons of monitoring lure longevity and effectiveness across manufacturers resulted in a novel lure being developed by Trécé Inc, which we are now testing in New York, Delaware, and Virginia. Additional traps were also maintained across 21 locations in eastern North Carolina where sweet corn and other sensitive host crops are grown. These traps will be monitored from August 1 through September to understand population dynamics in 2024. 2.2 We set up state specific projects within EDDMapS to house corn earworm moth trap data from the project members and cooperating partners with similar data but not funded on this project. This year 8,131 corn ear worm trap counts have been collected from 206 distinct locations. 8,112 of those records are publicly available. 365 of these reports were directly provided by project personnel, with the majority of the remainder from affiliated unfunded collaborators. These data and this database will be integral for understanding corn earworm pressure and developing risk assessment tools. A shared threshold evaluation protocol was developed which compares 1x, 2x, and 3x a week spray intervals in a non-Bt and Cry1A.105+2Ab2 expressing paired hybrid to assess the interactive relative efficacy of insecticide sprays and plant incorporated protectants (i.e., sprays and Bt) for earworm management. This study was executed in North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and New York. In North Carolina, moth pressure was exceptional, leading to clear failures in Bt expressing corn in this study. 2.3 In Virginia, insecticide efficacy experiments evaluated different rotations of insecticides for corn earworm control in sweet corn. Virginia also assessed the efficacy of biologically-derived insecticides Heligen and Spear-Lep when used on both Bt and non-Bt sweet corn hybrids--neither insecticide provided adequate control regardless of hybrid. A randomized complete block small plot experiment at two locations evaluated a frequent insecticide spray approach (rotating pyrethroids with Beseige) three times a week versus only spraying when pheromone trap catch exceeds threshold (roughly 7 moths) and using IPM-compatible insecticides Vantacor (chlorantraniliprole) and Radiant (spinetoram) only when needed, versus no sprays. Results showed that the IPM approach resulted in similar corn earworm control as the frequent spray approach and that both provided significantly more % clean ears than no sprays. Densities of lady beetles and minute pirate bugs were higher in IPM and no spray treatments compared to frequent sprays. Virginia also piloted small plot sweet corn trials where bee visitations after different insecticide applications were assessed as well as the effect of the different insecticides on other beneficial arthropods such as lady beetles and predatory hemipterans. This experiment has been set up at two locations in Virginia. During this project period, New York and Virginia designed a preliminary experiment to evaluate residual efficacy of insecticides on corn silk. Plots were sprayed once with different insecticide treatments and ears were harvested every few days to assess when the larvae entered the ears and when each insecticide residue stopped working. Data from these trials will be used to prioritize multistate protocols during the next project period and already have resulted in useful information that will be disseminated to stakeholders. 3.1 We (a) collected and summarized current extension publications on sweet corn costs and returns; and (b) created a survey instrument aimed at current methods of corn earworm control among different types of producers. This survey will be executed in the next project period. 3.2 Nothing to report as analysis requires data that is currently being collected. 4.1 In New York, Suffolk County growers were introduced to an alternative trap design for monitoring corn earworm, which has the potential to improve pest management practices. We discussed the benefits of Vip3 (only effective plant incorporated protein) as a management strategy at field days across multiple states. Clientele have been engaged in project discussions at several sweet corn grower meetings in all participating states. Resources and infrastructure (e.g., cewipm.org) have been developed that will enable us to take advantage of upcoming winter meetings to further disseminate information. 4.2 Two sociologists (Analena Bruce and Caroline Brock) met with stakeholders at our advisory panel meeting and provided feedback to David Lane (evaluation specialist) on his survey instruments and plans to conduct qualitative analyses. Multiple project team members engaged in meaningful deeper discussions with farmers. For example, in Virginia, presentations at several grower meetings facilitated conversations with sweet corn growers about their practices and how they are adopting IPM. A direct quote from one grower in the Northern Neck of Virginia, Rafe Parker - Parker and Sons "Moth trapping has probably saved me 1 insecticide spray each crop, which is worth it". Another direct quote from a grower in Elliston, VA - "Switching to Vip Bt sweet corn varieties has allowed me to eliminate insecticide sprays on sweet corn. I feel better about not killing things that I don't want to kill."

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Sutton, K.L., T.P. Kuhar, S.L. Rideout, S.V. Taylor, M. Reiter, A. I. DelPozo-Valdivia, D. D. Reisig, K. McIntyre. 2024. Simple insecticide edamame bean-dip bioassay shows pyrethroid susceptibility of Virginia Helicoverpa zea populations varies across locations and years. J. Entomol. Sci. DOI: 10.18474/jes23-23.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Currin, Brian, and Thomas Kuhar (2024). Efficacy of insecticides Spear Lep and Heligen for control of corn earworm in sweet corn, Virginia, 2023, Arthropod Management Tests, Volume 49, Issue 1, 2024, tsae081, https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsae081
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: https://www.cewipm.org/
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Nault, B. A., C. Duplais, B. Currin, G. Dively, H. Doughty, K. Hamby, A. Huseth, T. Kuhar and D. Owens. 2024. Regional evaluation of the best trap and pheromone lure combination for capturing corn earworm moths in sweet corn. Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch Meeting, Morgantown, WV, March 12, 2024.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hamby, K., Crossley, M., Dively, G., Brock, C., Bruce, A., Duplais, C., Dyer, J., Gilrein, D., Grantham, D., Huseth, A., Jones, C., Kuhar, T., LaForest, J., MacDonald, J., Meentemeyer, R., Nault, B., and Owens, D. 2024. Addressing evolving corn earworm management challenges in sweet corn grown in the Eastern US. Symposium: Applied Agriculture in the Eastern Branch Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting, Morgantown, WV, USA (~30 people)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Currin, Brian, Thomas Kuhar and Helene Doughty. 2024. The benefits of corn earworm IPM in sweet corn. Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting, March 9-13, Morgantown, WV.