So... What's a Corn Earworm?
The corn earworm, also known as the Tomato Fruitworm, is the most devastating pest of corn in the U.S. Although the corn earworm's favorite food is corn, it will also eat tomatoes and cotton. Adult corn earworm moths are light to dark brown in color with green eyes. The larvae are about 1"-2" in length and can vary in color depending on their instar stage. Their colors can range from yellowish to green to brownish to red, and they may have stripes or spots on their bodies and either brown or red heads. The eggs are light and pale in color at first, but they darken as they mature. Reproduction Patterns of Corn Earworms Corn earworms appear in the spring when they emerge from overwintering in the pupate stage in the soil. The timing of their emergence depends on the hardiness zone and climate in which they are found. In spring the corn earworm goes in search of food, sometimes traveling far and wide to locate it. After mating, the female corn earworm will deposit her eggs. Anywhere between 450 to 3000 eggs can be deposited in the silk of the corn by a single female. If it is too early for silk to appear on the corn, the female will deposit her eggs on the leaves of young corn plantings. 
Eggs generally hatch in about a week and the emerging larvae begin to travel down the ear in search of food. The larvae will pass through several instars or mini-stages in the next couple of weeks, after which it will drop to the ground to pupate. Within 2-3 week the adult moth will emerge and the cycle continues. Depending on the climate of the region, there can be anywhere from 1-7 generations in a typical year. Corn Earworm's Habitat The corn earworm can be found throughout the United States. It is found in agricultural fields and gardens where corn, tomatoes or cotton are grown. The length of time in which the corn earworm is active depends on the climate and hardiness zone. Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening! | 
