MONITORING AND CONTROL OF EUROPEAN CORN-BORER, OSTRINIA-NUBILALIS (LEPIDOPTERA-PYRALIDAE), ON BELL PEPPERS IN OHIO

Field studies were undertaken to document pod infestation by European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) during the harvest season, to evaluate timings of insecticide applications, and to evaluate whether monitori ng populations in traps is an appropriate basis for timing insecticide applications. Over a three year period at several locations, acephate was sprayed on 5-d to 14-d schedules, and pepper pods were evaluated during periodic harvests. Damage by O. nubilalis was usually highest i n the first two harvests, when as few as 36% of the pods were undamage d in untreated plots. Later harvests were less affected by O. nubilali s but were sometimes infested by fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) or corn earworm (Helicouerpa zea). In 1990, when O. nubilalis populat ions were moderate in size, fewer infested pods and higher yields were found in plots treated on a 7-d schedule than on a 14-d schedule. In 1991, when populations were exceptionally high, damage was high even i n plots sprayed every 7 d. In 1992, when populations were low to moder ate, damage was light and no yield advantage resulted from a variable 5- to 10-d schedule versus a 7-d schedule. A 7-d schedule was suitable in years with average O. nubilalis activity, starting when blacklight traps consistently caught one or more moths per night. Pheromone trap s appear to be an acceptable alternative to blacklight traps, but a ph eromone-based threshold has not yet been tested. Management of Europea n corn borer on peppers in Ohio must be supplemented in the later part of the season by management of fall armyworm and corn earworm.