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Stalk
Borers are a pest to corn and occasionally soybeans. Injury is most common
along field margins or in areas with giant ragweed or weedy grasses. Stalk borers have one
generation per year. In corn, larvae usually initiate feeding either at the base
of the plant or in the whorl. If feeding begins at the base, the larvae will
gradually move up the stem. Frass and castings can be seen protruding out of
holes located at the base, and the associated damage will be a dead or wilted
whorl while the rest of the leaves remain green. This damage is referred to as
"dead heart." By contrast, if they begin to feed at the whorl and move
down, the resulting damage will cause the entire plant to wilt. Large holes, 2-3
inches long, will cause leaves to break over or to be cut completely from the
plant. Holes are much larger than those of the European corn borer. Infested
young plants are stunted and may die. Injury is most common along field margins
or in areas with giant ragweed or weedy grasses.
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