Pelleted Bait for Control of the Black Cutworm in Corn

Six insecticides in pelleted bait formulations were evaluated in the field for control of larvae of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) attacking seedling corn. Biothion at 0.34 kg AI/ha, fonofos at 1.12 AI/ha, methomyl at 0.17 kg AI/ha, chlorpyrifos at 0.34 kg AI/ha, trichlorofon at 1.12 kg AI/ha, and carbaryl at 0.84 kg AI/ha controlled black cutworm larvae when applied soon after seedling emergence and, under ideal conditions, remained effective for 2–3 wk. Early treatment of field infestations on corn in the 1–2-1eaf stage provided superior plant protection than treatments applied to corn in the 6-leaf stage. In greenhouse studies, soil moisture affected bait performance.