Scout Emerging Corn for Insects
Cutworms and other insects may hinder emerging corn plants this spring even if seed was treated with insecticides or Bt corn hybrids were used.
Compiled by staff
Published: May 12, 2006
Cutworms and other insects may hinder emerging corn plants this spring even if seed was treated with insecticides or Bt corn hybrids were used, recommends Bob Wright University of Nebraska-Lincoln entomologist.
As corn begins to emerge, it is important to scout it frequently for damage from a variety of insects, Wright says.
"High populations of insects may overwhelm the protection provided by controls, such as insecticides applied at planting time whether liquid, granular or seed treatment or whether it was a Bt corn hybrid," Wright says.
Various cutworm species and, in southeast Nebraska, the southern corn leaf beetle may cause problems this growing season, he says.
"Cutworms can cause serious damage to corn in the first couple weeks after emergence so it is important to scout fields for damage," says Keith Jarvi, integrated pest management specialist at UNL's Northeast Research and Extension Center at Norfolk.
Several species of cutworms attack corn. The severity and the area affected will vary greatly, depending on species involved, previous crop history and weather conditions, Jarvi says.
"Remember that early detection of a problem is essential because most of the cutting occurs within seven days of plant emergence," he says.
Generally, a postemergence "rescue" treatment should be considered if cutting is observed on 5% or more of plants and the worms are one inch or less in length.
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Tagged: insecticides, Extension, corn hybrids, seed treatment, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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