In eastern Arkansas the southwestern corn borer generally produces the highest level of insect damage to field corn. Corn borers pass through winters in Arkansas as mature larvae within the lower portions of corn stalks at or below the soil line.
Females are slightly larger than males.
At rest adults fold wings almost parallel to the abdomen. Egg Mating begins within one night from emergence and moths generally initiate egg laying or oviposition on the second night after emerging. Female moths may lay more than 300 eggs, however, under field conditions it is uncommon to find more than four southwestern corn borer eggs in a group. The eggs laid by overwintering corn borers represent the first generation of the year. Common plant locations to find first generation eggs are upper and lower leaf surfaces of young corn plants.