Activities: FFA

Kelsey Schuster (left) and Harm Rogman (right) compare their corn earworms as they continue to grow.

Intro to Ag Class Studies Corn Earworms

by Tony Jensen

February 22, 2006

The life cycle and importance of the corn earworm (borer) has been looked at and studied in the Intro to Ag class in recent weeks. The students each received their own larvae of a corn earworm and are in charge of taking care of it, as it goes through its life cycle. The next stage is the pupa stage, and the final stage is the adult moth stage.

Students have enjoyed observing this insect grow. Junior J.J. Paulsen says "I like it. It gives us a chance to watch another organism grow and change before our eyes."

Other students have grown close enough with their corn earworm to name it and interact with them. Freshman Kelsey Schuster says, "I like this project a lot. I've grown a special bond with Donny (her earworm)."

The corn earworms are kept in a plastic case with a lid. The yellow material in the container is its food.

Mr. Jensen, Freeman agriculture education instructor, adds "It is interesting to see the students interact with the earworms. At first, they are somewhat held back, but as they watch them grow and develop, they seem to take more of an interest in caring for the animal and become more inquisitive about their earworms. It is important for students to understand the life cycles of these animals, but also the effects pests can have on the agricultural industry." The corn earworm costs the United State agriculture industry $1 billion annually.

A special thanks to the United States Department of Agriculture for supplying the corn earworms for free, as well as two hissing cockroaches that the Small Animal Care class is working with.