The vibrant blooms of African corn lilies (Ixia species) are truly a sight to behold in any garden. However, these delicate flowers are susceptible to infestations from borers – destructive pests that can damage and even kill the plants Learning how to properly identify, control, and prevent borer problems is key to protecting your prized African corn lilies.
Recognizing Borer Infestations
The first step is knowing how to spot the signs of borer activity on your plants. Some indicators include:
- Wilting, yellowing, or dying leaves and stems
- Small holes in stems and stalks
- Sawdust-like frass near base of plants
- Drooping or collapsing flowers
Pay close attention to plants in summer when borers are most active. Inspect under leaves and along stems where adult moths lay eggs. Spotting issues early allows quicker control.
Effective Organic Methods to Eliminate Borers
At the first sign of borers, take action using these safe organic remedies:
Remove Infested Plant Parts
Prune away all visibly damaged and infested sections of the plant Check thoroughly for signs of tunnels or larvae, Discard pruned material away from garden
Introduce Beneficial Insects
Parasitic wasps, green lacewings, and other beneficial predators feed on borer eggs and larvae. Consider buying and releasing them or attracting them with flowering plants.
Apply Neem Oil
The natural pesticidal properties of neem oil kill borer larvae on contact and deter moths from laying eggs. Apply it every 1-2 weeks as a preventative.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
This abrasive powder deters borers from crawling onto plants. Sprinkle it onto soil around the base of plants every 2-3 weeks. Reapply after rain or watering.
Maintain Good Sanitation
Clear all dead leaves and plant debris away from African corn lilies frequently to eliminate hiding spots for borers.
When to Use Chemical Borer Treatments
For severe infestations, limited chemical control options are available:
- Insecticide sprays specifically targeting borers
- Systemic insecticides that get absorbed by plants
Carefully follow all label directions. Avoid overuse of chemicals to protect pollinators and the environment. Consider preventative measures first.
Preventing Future Borer Problems
Once borers are eliminated, be proactive and implement these tips to avoid repeated attacks:
- Check African corn lily plants routinely for early signs
- Promote plant health with proper care and optimal growing conditions
- Remove weeds, dead leaves, and debris where pests hide
- Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings
- Practice crop rotation from season to season
By identifying borer infestations early and taking swift action, you can protect your precious African corn lilies. Combining organic control methods, limited chemical use only when necessary, and preventative care are the keys to success. With diligence and persistence, you can outsmart destructive borers and enjoy thriving, vibrant flowers.
How To Control the European Corn Borer
The European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is a widespread pest (found on three continents) known to feed on 250 different kinds of plants, some of which include: corn, pepper, chrysanthemum, dahlia, beet, bean, potato, tomato, cotton and soybean along with many kinds of weeds. Adults are small, tan, nocturnal moths. Females have a thick body and lighter colored wings than the males, which tend to be a darker tan-to-brown color.
Life Cycle & Appearance:
Adult moths typically start appearing in early spring to mate and lay eggs on desirable plants. The egg clusters can be found on the undersides of leaves and other sheltered areas that protect them from predators and harsh weather. There can be anywhere from one to four generations in a given season depending on local climate conditions and adaptation to those conditions. Once hatched, European Corn Borer larvae appear light brown to light pink in color with a brown head and dark spots on each body segment. Larvae prefer to feed on the whorl, but eventually move down into the stalk and ear as they continue to feed and grow for about 50 days. Once the larvae finish their sixth instar stage, they will pupate for a period of about 12 days.
Damage Symptoms:
The larvae eat leaves and tunnel in all parts of the stalks and ears with much of the major damage done to sweet corn found in the ears. The tunneling impairs the growth of the plant and diminishes yields of crop production. Early damage is typically found on tassels, whorl and leaf sheaths, but the larvae of European Corn Borers will also feed on silk, kernels, cobs and the stalk. Older larvae leave larger tunnels and their feeding habits are considered to be most damaging. European Corn Borer damage provides a pathway for fungal and bacterial diseases to become established.
Controlling European Corn Borers: Combining multiple control measures has proven to be the most effective way to control European corn borers. Single treatment approaches have shown mixed results.
- Use pheromone lures with wing traps to attract male corn borers and prevent mating before it occurs. Use lures & traps as monitoring tools to estimate pest populations and choose other treatments. Traps should be placed before first flight. Read our blog about how to properly monitor for corn borers!
- Release Trichogramma moth egg parasites once flight is detected.
- Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) sprays should be applied to ears, tassels, and whorls, but can also be applied to foliage throughout the growing season. Spinosad sprays work well also; however, they pose more risk to pollinators and other beneficials.
- Destroy stalks after the season and mow close to the surface. The stalks are overwintering sites for the larvae and this practice has proven to eliminate up to 75% of the larvae present. Do not compost infested or diseased plant material.
- Plant resistant varieties if possible.
For additional information about general borer control please see our
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How to plant a pot of Ixia (corn lily)
FAQ
How do you get rid of corn borers?
What insecticide is good for borers?
How do you get rid of borers naturally?
How to get rid of iris borers naturally?
What is a lily borer?
The Lily Borer, scientifically known as Brithys crini, is a formidable pest in many South African gardens. This black and yellow worm, notorious for its appetite for lilies and related plants, poses a significant challenge. Understanding the lifecycle, habits, and effective control measures for this borer is vital for maintaining a healthy garden.
How to control Lily borers in South Africa?
To control lily borers in South Africa, regular inspection of plants is crucial. Remove and destroy any eggs, larvae, or pupae you find. Biological control methods, such as introducing natural predators like wasps, can also be effective.
How do I get rid of lily borer?
Fortunately, there are both chemical and natural methods that will kill these borers. To control this pest it is very important to regularly check all your bulbs, but especially your clivias, agapanthus and amaryllis for early signs of lily borer.
What plants do Lily borers eat?
Lily borer (Brithys crini pancratii), also called the “amaryllis borer” prefer plants in the crinum, amaryllis, clivia, cyrtanthus, haemanthus and nerine families. It is native to the coastal areas of the Mediterranean, but has spread to other areas around the world, wreaking havoc on plants everywhere it goes.