Join Us for the European Corn Borer Field Day

European corn borer, known as “the billion-dollar bug,” was a pest of economic concern in the United States prior to the commercialization of Bt corn hybrids in 1996. With the widespread adoption of Bt traits, European corn borer populations have been effectively managed and areawide suppression provided benefits to farmers that did not use Bt.

The use of Bt proteins for European corn borer has been a success story for decades, but recent development of resistance to Bt in Canada and Connecticut has put European corn borer back in the news. Although resistance has not yet been documented in the Corn Belt, we encourage farmers and agronomists to scout for European corn borer to help with understanding populations and provide early detection of field failures in Iowa.

Learn how to identify and scout for European corn borer on July 17^th!

We set up demonstration plots at the ISU Extension and Outreach Field Extension and Education Laboratory to provide hands-on training for European corn borer identification and scouting. We are offering two identical sessions (morning and afternoon) on July 17^th that are FREE to attend. Lunch, publications, and continuing education credits will be provided, but registration is required for attendance. Limited spots are available (50 per session), so register today! Registration closes on July 10^th. Agenda and registration details are here: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/european-corn-borer-field-day.

Speakers will include Erin Hodgson and Ashley Dean with ISU Extension and Outreach; Tom Sappington, Craig Abel, Brad Coates, and Keith Bidne with the USDA-ARS; and Marlin Rice, affiliate professor.