The following questions concerning European corn borer management are asked frequently. Action sites are areas of dense vegetation, usually grasses, where moths spend most of their time, especially during the day. Areas that frequently serve as action sites include grassy ditch banks, fencerows, and grass waterways. There, moths mate and rest. Treating action sites with an insecticide is not recommended.
Moths can easily fly for several miles during an evening, especially if assisted by mild breezes.
Scouting for first-generation European corn borers. If possible, at least 20 consecutive plants should be examined in each of five random areas for every 40 to 50 acres within a field. Walk at least 100 feet into a field before checking plants for corn borers. If more than one corn variety is being grown, or if different planting dates occurred within the same field, it is important to consider each section as a separate field. Plants should be checked for fresh whorl-feeding damage, and the percent of infested plants calculated.