Image: Corn Earworm Damage on Corn Cob in Field
Published: March 13, 2026 at 8:38:18 PM UTC
Detailed close-up image of corn earworm caterpillars damaging the tip of a corn ear, showing chewed kernels, frass, and feeding injury in a cornfield.
Available versions of this image
The image files available for download below are less compressed and higher resolution - and as a result of that, higher quality - than the images embedded in articles and pages on this website, which are more optimized for file size in order to reduce bandwidth consumption.
Regular size (1,536 x 1,024)
Large size (3,072 x 2,048)
Very large size (4,608 x 3,072)
Extra large size (6,144 x 4,096)
Comically large size (1,048,576 x 699,051)
- Still uploading... ;-)
Image description
This high-resolution landscape photograph shows a close-up view of a developing ear of corn in a cultivated cornfield, clearly illustrating damage caused by corn earworm caterpillars. The ear is partially exposed with its green husk peeled back, revealing bright yellow kernels beneath. At the top of the ear, the kernels are heavily damaged and irregular, forming a rough, hollowed cavity where the pests have been feeding. The damaged section contrasts strongly with the intact rows of plump, glossy kernels lower on the cob.
Two corn earworm larvae are visible within the feeding area near the tip of the ear. Their bodies are thick and segmented, colored in mottled shades of greenish-brown with subtle striping and small dark spots along their sides. One caterpillar rests partially curled among the chewed kernels near the center of the cavity, while the other lies slightly above it closer to the dried corn silk. Both larvae appear actively feeding on the soft kernels.
Surrounding the larvae is a mixture of partially eaten kernel fragments and granular debris known as frass, which accumulates as the insects consume the corn. The frass forms a coarse, crumbly layer covering much of the damaged tip, giving the area a rough texture compared with the smooth and orderly appearance of the healthy kernels below.
The corn silk at the top of the ear is dry and tangled, draping over the damaged area and emphasizing the entry point where the larvae likely entered the ear. The green husk leaves frame the cob on both sides, with one leaf showing irregular holes and ragged edges that suggest additional insect feeding. These leaves create a natural border around the central subject.
In the softly blurred background, rows of tall green corn plants stretch across the field, providing agricultural context while keeping attention focused on the damaged ear in the foreground. The shallow depth of field isolates the cob and larvae sharply against the background, highlighting the pest damage in clear detail.
Overall, the image visually documents the typical symptoms of corn earworm infestation: feeding at the tip of the ear, chewed kernels, accumulation of frass, and the presence of caterpillars within the ear. The photograph provides a clear and instructive example of pest damage in corn production systems.
The image is related to: Growing Corn: Your Complete Guide to Sweet Success in the Garden