What is the corn earworm's lifecycle's initial stage?

The initial stage of the corn earworm's lifecycle is characterized by the laying of eggs, which specifically occurs on corn leaves and fresh silk. This choice accurately reflects the reproductive behavior of the corn earworm, as females are attracted to the corn plants for oviposition. The eggs hatch after a short period, leading to the larvae stage, which is crucial for their development.

In contrast, other options describe different stages or behaviors in the lifecycle. For example, pupae represent a later stage that occurs after the larvae have fed and entered a transformative phase, while larval feeding occurs after the eggs have hatched, making those stages sequentially later in the lifecycle. The option regarding eggs laid on soil does not accurately describe the corn earworm's specific reproductive habits since, in this case, the eggs are primarily laid on living plants rather than in the soil.