The European corn borer is a serious pest of corn and peppers in Kentucky. Corn borers overwinter as full-grown larvae in corn stubble. With the return of warm weather in the spring,development is resumed and the larvae pupate.
Temperature plays a major role in determining the rate of corn borer development.
The European corn borer has a 50 to 85 F temperature range at which it is most comfortable. Below 50 F it will not develop, and above 85 F development will slow dramatically. The rate of development of European corn borer can be predicted using this relationship. Dr. Grayson Brown at the University of Kentucky developed a degree day model which accurately predicts the occurrence of the different corn borer life stages. It is recommended that these predictions be used in combination with field scouting or pheromone trapping in order to make management decisions.