Corn Earworm Life Cycle at Life

Corn Earworm Life Cycle. Larvae begin feeding on the kernels once they have reached third instar. Life cycle although corn earworm populations usually die out during the winter in most of the state, pupae in the soil survive the winter in the soil in far southern illinois most years.

They are laid singly by female moths and turn from white to dark brown before hatching in 3 to 10 days. Losses in sweet corn as high as 50% in unsalable produce. Adult corn earworm moths vary in both color and wing markings (figure 3).

Photos Vegetable Pests Home and Garden IPM from

Females lay 500 to 3,000 eggs during their lifetimes and may lay up to 35 eggs in one day. Life cycle although corn earworm populations usually die out during the winter in most of the state, pupae in the soil survive the winter in the soil in far southern illinois most years. Homeowners should consider tolerating damage by simply cutting off the tips of damaged sweet corn ears. Corn earworm, also known as cotton bollworm or tomato fruitworm (helicoverpa zea) is a common and widespread pest on a variety of hosts.