BLACKSBURG, Va. – Corn earworms are one of the most economically harmful pests in North America, and they can quickly become resistant to common insecticides. However, researchers at Virginia Tech are testing a new method to curb the negative impact of the pest: utilizing a type of fungus.
“They feed on the leaves, bolls, and flowers of the plant, disrupting its reproductive process and resulting in reduced yields and lower fiber quality. Their feeding damage weakens the plant and can lead to further pest infestations and disease.”
Hadi Farrokhzadeh, visiting scholar at Virginia Tech’s Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center…