Survival of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) on 6 opaque-2 corn hybrids and their normal counterparts was compared by artificially infesting each plant with 3 egg masses and determining the number of corn borers present 2, 4, and 10 weeks after egg hatch. Borer survival was higher on opaque-2 hybrids at 2 and 4 weeks but not at 10 weeks, and the extent of tunneling was higher on opaque-2 hybrids at all 3 periods. An increased incidence of borers and tunnels was induced by biological changes caused by the opaque-2 gene other than the lysine concentration. The results will have practical significance, since opaque-2 hybrids may become widely used.

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