Plant Sciences Commons^™

Sp341-K Common Stalk Borer In Field Corn, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Field & Commercial Crops

The common stalk borer in Tennessee is reported to attack several crops in addition to field corn. However, the preferred host of the insect is giant ragweed. This preference is due to the largeness of the stem in which the larvae can mature. Fields of corn planted into a no-till situation are preferred by the moths because of the grassy weeds in those fields. The adult moth deposits eggs on grassy weeds in the early spring. Later, the larvae will migrate to any corn planted in the fields.