What's eating my 'painted mountain' corn?

'Painted Mountain' corn faces corn earworm caterpillars in the ear tip, European corn borer tunneling the stalk, and Japanese beetles skeletonizing foliage. Raccoons, deer, and birds raid ripening ears. Mineral oil applied in the ear silks blocks earworms; tall fencing and electric wire deter mammals at harvest time.

Caterpillars feed down from the silk tip into the ear, leaving frass and damaged kernels at the tip. Apply a few drops of mineral oil or Bt solution to silk after it begins to wilt. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays when silks first emerge. Pheromone traps to monitor adult flight.

Larvae tunnel into stalks causing breakage; bore into ears; entry holes with frass visible on stalks. Spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) targeting young larvae before they enter the stalk. Remove and destroy crop debris immediately after harvest to kill overwintering larvae.

Ears torn from stalks and husks ripped open; damage concentrated just before peak ripeness. Electric fence with two strands (20 cm and 45 cm off the ground) is highly effective for raccoons. Deer need taller fencing (1.8 m+). Harvest as soon as kernels are mature.

Skeletonized leaves with only veins remaining; beetles also feed on corn silk, reducing pollination. Hand-pick early morning into soapy water. Neem oil on foliage. Ensure good pollination by growing large blocks rather than single rows.