Why is Herculex I Insect Protection an important protective option against European corn borer infestation?
In the central Midwest, European corn borer can produce up to three generations per year. Each generation can do a great deal of damage to the corn plant and reduce the yield. The larvae bore into the corn stalks, causing stem breakage, lodging and reduced yield. Traditionally scouting was important to determine the threshold and timing for control methods of the European corn borer. With Herculex I the need for scouting is reduced, as the trait is designed to stop the corn borer all season long. First-generation corn borers normally feed on leaves in the whorl area before tunneling into the stalk. This impedes nutrient flow to corn ears, weakens the stalk, and increases lodging potential in the fall prior to harvest. Tunneling also creates entry points for plant diseases such as stalkrot. Second- and third-generation borers generally feed on pollen, leaves, ears and ear shanks. Ears may fall off if the shank is weakened. Later generations also tunnel into the stalk. Later stages of la
