Invariably, corn grown in the Carman, Morden, and Altona areas is involved. Eggs are flat and overlap each other, much like fish scales. Thus, there are 5 larval instars.
Some larvae have a pinkish tinge.
Pupae are reddish-brown, about 2.5 cm long, and pointed on one end. It reached and began to spread through Manitoba in 1948. European corn borers have the potential to be present wherever corn is grown in Manitoba. European corn borers overwinter as full-grown larvae in corn stalks, cobs and plant debris on the soil surface. Sometimes, a second generation is attempted but usually fails.