Management Calculator
for Second-Generation European Corn Borer

To decide whether it will be profitable to treat a field to control second-generation corn borers, the following information is needed:

• Total number of ECB egg masses found
• Total number of plants examined
• Crop maturity
• Value of grain per bushel
• Cost per acre for insecticide treatment

Enter these data into the following worksheet to calculate the gain or loss for applying an insecticide to control corn borers.

^*Notes:

• Total counts may be cumulative if taken a few days apart
• Larvae per plant is calculated by multiplying the number of egg masses per plant by 4. This assumes 20% survival and 20 eggs / mass. If environmental conditions are favorable for borer survival, these numbers will be too low.
• Control is assumed at 75% effectiveness.
• For best results, treatment should be applied soon after egg hatch to kill the young larvae before they bore into the plant. The larvae begin tunneling into the stalks about 10 days after hatching. Occasionally, two treatments may be necessary for satisfactory control if egg laying extends over a 3- to 4-week period.

Go to European Corn Borer Insect Information Sheet