Authors: Cara McCreary, Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, OMAFRA and Tracey Baute, Entomologist – Field Crops, OMAFRA
What is European Corn Borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis)?
In a nutshell, ECB is a small nocturnal brown moth. Problem is, they may choose pepper plants as hosts for egg-laying and larval development. Since larvae feed and develop inside the pepper fruit, which is the marketable portion of your plants, it’s important to be on the lookout for them. ECB overwinters as fully-grown larvae in corn stubble or other plant material and complete development the following spring. When adults emerge, they take flight to look for mates and suitable hosts such as corn, wheat, potatoes, hemp and unfortunately greenhouse peppers to feed and reproduce.
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