This may be directed at chinch bugs, rootworms, cutworms, or nematodes. The impact of currently registered soil insecticides on corn borers is not clearly understood. At present it is doubtful that currently registered soil insecticides directed only at corn borers provide economically acceptable returns. Additional research is currently underway to more clearly define the benefits of these insecticides. Newer insecticides have shown considerable promise in management of corn borers and may provide the corn producer with a valuable corn borer management tool.
Corn borers are susceptible to several insecticides applied to corn foliage.
Difficulties with foliar insecticide effectiveness are associated with corn borer biology. First generation corn borers penetrate corn structures within about 10 days of hatching and second generation within about 7 days. After entering the plant corn borers are very difficult to target. Thus, foliar applications must be timed precisely to be effective. While the most effective method of timing insecticides is by scouting for corn borer eggs, it is a very difficult task.