Hi everyone...this is my first time garndening in New Mexico! Everything was doing great. My corn stalks are about seven feet high and had several ears growing. When I came back from a camping trip I noticed that many of the ears had been devoured. I also noticed tiny black ants all over the devoured husks. From what I have read this is not damage caused by the ants. I also have a few ears that had not been eaten. I picked one and pulled back the husks only to notice that there are holes in the husks and in the corn along with mold. Does anyone know what could be causing this?
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DoubleDogFarm
- Super Green Thumb
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jal_ut
- Super Green Thumb
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- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:20 pm
- Location: Northern Utah Zone 5
Skunks and raccoons can decimate a corn patch in a hurry. Oh, might be crows too. That one in the picture could be insect or bird damage. Probably not the corn ear worm as they eat a bigger patch of kernels before jumping ship. Any grasshoppers around?
You need to look closely to see if you can discover some insect pest. Find any worms under the husks?
Ya, I am with you on the ants, I don't think they do that kind of damage, but may get in the act once some other critter has exposed the kernels or cob.
You need to look closely to see if you can discover some insect pest. Find any worms under the husks?
Ya, I am with you on the ants, I don't think they do that kind of damage, but may get in the act once some other critter has exposed the kernels or cob.
corn worms usually enter along the silk path from the tops/tassle.
looks like something ate through the husk - western bean cutworm will do that
see
https://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=415
if it is/was worms you'll find the worm or its frass - otherwise looks like a bird / other non-worm chewing insect.
looks like something ate through the husk - western bean cutworm will do that
see
https://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=415
if it is/was worms you'll find the worm or its frass - otherwise looks like a bird / other non-worm chewing insect.
I checked all the ears of corn and I see no worms at all. I did see one strange looking beetle. I bought some dusting powder...not sure if it will help. Most of the ears are gone. Maybe I should just put up a scarecrow! This is the first time Ive ever been able to get a good crop of corn growing, its sad that it is all being destroyed.