European corn borer moths are yellowish brown with irregular darker olive-brown bands running as wavy lines across their wings. They are very pointed, similiar in shape to a delta winged jet. Wingspan for a European corn borer moth is about 1 inch.

European corn borer moth.

The first generation of adult European corn borer moths fly in early to mid-May in Kentucky. Flight of the first generation should begin at approximatley 550 degree days with the peak flight occuring at approximatley 900 degree days. Current degree days for European corn borer are available for many locations in Kentucky through the Agricultural Weather Center maintained by the University of Kentucky Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Up-to-date European corn borer estimates and maps are available on this site as well. For more information on using day degrees see EntFact-106 Prediciting European Corn Borer Bevelopment.

Early planted corn has the greatest potential for damage from the first generation of ECB larva. A second generation of ECB larva usually occurs late June to August. Late planted corn is most attractive to this generation. A third generation can occur from late July on. For additional information see European Corn Borer Scout Info Sheet and ENT-49 European Corn Borer. EntFact-301 Common Insects Attacking Peppers discusses European Corn Borer as a pest in peppers.

To view the data that includes temperature and accumulated degree days you will need Microsoft Excel®.

University of Kentucky Research Center, Princeton,KY

University of Kentucky Spindletop Farm, Lexington, KY

Insect trap data are provided for educational purposes only. Weather data provided by the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center and Kentucky Mesonet. Weather data if used for legal purposes must be certified by NCDC, National Climate Data Center.