Where do corn earworms typically lay their eggs?

Corn earworms typically lay their eggs on corn ears. This behavior is advantageous for the larvae that emerge because they can immediately access the nutritious kernels that are vital for their growth and development. The earworms prefer to lay eggs in areas where they can provide shelter and food for the hatchlings, making corn ears an ideal choice due to the protection they offer and the availability of food.

In contrast, laying eggs on the stalks of corn or corn seedlings wouldn’t provide direct access to food once the larvae hatch, which is why those options are less likely compared to laying eggs directly on the corn ears. Additionally, while some insects may lay eggs in the soil, it is not a typical behavior observed with corn earworms, as they are specialized feeders that rely on corn for survival during their early life stages.