Landscape Level Contributions of Corn for Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea) Populations

In efforts to prevent resistance, refuge systems have been implemented into the agroecosystem. To test adult H. zea production in a field setting, an experiment was run to determine the efficacy of both block refuge systems and refuge in a bag (RIB). Various percentages of seed blends with refuge incorporated (RIB) and block refuge systems were both tested to determine the amount of adult H. zea emergence on a per hectare basis. Field corn was allowed to mature to silk, where oviposition was observed. Larvae were allowed to complete a lifecycle in the corn. During pupation, corn was removed from plot area where emergence cages were placed to record emergence data. Moths were collected, counted, and recorded.