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BeneficialEuropean corn borer

Trichogramma wasps for european corn borer

Trichogramma spp. · egg parasitoid wasp
Against european corn borer

The moth lays flat, overlapping clusters of eggs, usually under the leaves, and Trichogramma attack only the eggs, so releases must match the moth flight. In Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts pepper trials, egg parasitism averaged 48.7% in T. ostriniae release plots against 1.9% without releases, and fruit damage 8.7% against 27.3%. In Québec sweet corn they matched insecticide on ear damage. UF/IFAS notes that native Trichogramma species gave more variable results.

Rate90,000–120,000 per acre per release in peppers, weekly for 4 weeks from the start of the moth flight (UMass, for T. ostriniae)
TimingPeppers: from the week the second (midsummer) moth flight begins, about 1,400 degree-days (base 50 °F); UMass says to check pepper traps from the third week of July, as the first generation hits only corn. Corn: from the first flight, about 374 degree-days
Temperature18–29 °C best; weaker at 15 °C
macro · trichogramma wasps on european corn borer
The pestEuropean corn borerOstrinia nubilalisTunnels in stalks and ears; holes under the pepper capFull pest profile →

Before you order

Released weekly from cards while moths are flying and laying; the wasps kill the eggs before a caterpillar hatches. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Trichogramma spp. profile.

Release calculator

How many do I need?

Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →

Other controls for european corn borer

Trichogramma spp. against other pests