the european corn borer lives and feeds primarily on field corn, but also eats sweet corn, popcorn, and seed corn. the first generation of corn borers which develops during the late spring feeds on the leaves and stalks of corn plants. in addition, the second generation feeds on the ear of corn, the leaf sheath, and the ear shank. if a third generation is produced, it will feed on the ear, the leaf sheath, and the ear shank.