Greg's Agronomy Blog

There have already been a lot of insects reported across the country in many different crops this spring.  With the mild and open winter, we are seeing more pests than usual.  One pest that we haven’t seen for a while, or in many cases ever seen, is seedcorn maggot.  These small yellowish-white maggots are about 1/4″ long.  They like corn and soybean seeds.  Damage will often be seen in soybean fields.  Damage to seeds, stems, or codyledons are often observed.  The adults are a small fly looking insect, with grey wings and three stripes on their backs.  The adults emerge in the spring and lay eggs near host crops.  The maggots emerge and feed on seeds and seedlings of corn and soybeans.  If seedcorn maggot damage is suspected, rescue treatments rarely work.  Replanting may be necessary if substantial stand loss is observed.  Future preventative methods are to use a seed treatment insecticide such as Trilex 6000 or CruiserMaxx in soybeans.  Corn usually comes treated with either Poncho or Cruiser, but the addition of Capture LFR or Counter will help prevent infestations from seedcorn maggots or other pests such as wireworms or white grubs.