Fish bait in your sweet corn

The two insects shown feeding on the tender grains of a sweet corn ear are called "corn earworms." They actually are not worms, but are moth larvae. Interestingly enough, the adult moth is called a corn earworm moth.

Corn earworms -- larvae stage -- are predominately yellow, green or brown with tan lines running the length of the smooth body. As adult moths, about 1 1/2 inches long, they are light tan in color with varying dark spots or stripes on the wings.

In the larvae stage this insect makes very good pan-fish bait. When shucking sweet corn you may collect the larvae in a jar. Punch small holes in the jar lid and place part of a sweet corn ear in the jar for the larvae to feed on. They can be kept alive for a couple days in the jar, but overcrowding will cause cannibalism. This insect is most common in the eastern half of the United States.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more of Horrell's work at the Painted Wren Gallery in downtown Cape Girardeau.