MONITORING AND CONTROL OF EUROPEAN CORN-BORER, OSTRINIA-NUBILALIS (LEPIDOPTERA-PYRALIDAE), ON BELL PEPPERS IN OHIO

Field studies were undertaken to document pod infestation by European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) during the harvest season, to evaluate timings of insecticide applications, and to evaluate whether monitoring populations in traps is an appropriate basis for timing insecticide applications. Over a three year period at several locations, acephate was sprayed on 5-d to 14-d schedules, and pepper pods were evaluated during periodic harvests. Damage by O. nubilalis was usually highest in the first two harvests, when as few as 36% of the pods were undamaged in untreated plots. Later harvests were less affected by O. nubilalis but were sometimes infested by fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) or corn earworm (Helicouerpa zea). In 1990, when O. nubilalis populations were moderate in size, fewer infested pods and higher yields were found in plots treated on a 7-d schedule than on a 14-d schedule. In 1991, when populations were exceptionally high, damage was high even in plots sprayed every 7 d. In 1992, when populations were low to moderate, damage was light and no yield advantage resulted from a variable 5- to 10-d schedule versus a 7-d schedule. A 7-d schedule was suitable in years with average O. nubilalis activity, starting when blacklight traps consistently caught one or more moths per night. Pheromone traps appear to be an acceptable alternative to blacklight traps, but a pheromone-based threshold has not yet been tested. Management of European corn borer on peppers in Ohio must be supplemented in the later part of the season by management of fall armyworm and corn earworm.