Corn Insect Pests

Chinch Bug Management, NebGuide G806

Cereal Aphids NebGuide
Identification and general discussion of the cereal aphid species most commonly found in Nebraska small grains, corn, sorghum and millet.
Description: Small blue/green, usually wingless insects in the whorl and tassel.
Damage Symptoms: Feeds by sucking juices from corn plant; does not inject salivary toxins.
Incidence: Throughout the growing season.
Sampling Scheme: Examine five sets of 20 plants during late whorl stage and tassel emergence.

Insects That Feed on Corn Ears, NebGuide 1300. This NebGuide discusses how to identify mature and immature insects that infest and damage ears of corn. Insecticide Recommendations for Corn Rootworms. 

University of Nebraska Field Trial Results — Seed treatments, planting-time treatments, post-plant or rescue treatments.

1st Generation European Corn Borer Scouting and Treatment Decisions
2nd Generation European Corn Borer Treatment Decision Worksheet
2nd Generation European Corn Borer Scouting Spreadsheet

Grasshoppers of Nebraska website — UNL Department of Entomology
News articles, identification, biololgy and management of grasshoppers, insecticide recommendations, resources.

 Grasshoppers of Nebraska Field Guide, IANR publications EB3 (PDF; 142 pages) Color plates, species descriptions, coverage maps and more.

A Guide to Grasshopper Control on Rangeland, NebGuide G1630
This NebGuide discusses effects of grasshoppers on rangeland, how to manage rangeland to minimize grasshopper impact, how to monitor grasshopper populations, and how to select and apply insecticides registered for grasshoppers when control measures are needed.

Grasshopper Identification Guide for Rangeland Grasshoppers - Fall/Spring Feeding Species, EC1567
Photos and descriptive details to aid in the identification of the major summer feeding grasshopper species in Nebraska range and pastures. Also includes biology and management as well as illustrations to identify the growth stage of nymphs.

A Guide to Grasshopper Control in Cropland, NebGuide G1627
Grasshoppers primarily damage wheat, alfalfa, soybeans and corn but can feed and seriously damage almost any crop, tree, shrub and/or home garden during years of high population. This guide provides information on the life cycle of the grasshopper and cropland damage control measures. PDF version

Grasshopper Identification Guide for Cropland Grasshoppers - Summer Feeding Species, EC1569
Photos and descriptions to identify the major summer feeding grasshopper species in Nebraska cropland. Also includes biology and management as well as illustrations to identify the growth stage of nymphs.

Grasshoppers of Nebraska, EB3 (PDF, 142 color pages)
This field guide to Nebraska grasshoppers includes color plates, species descriptions, coverage maps and more.

Corn Cutworms, NebGuide 1153
Cutworms — identification of specific cutworms, conditions favoring infestations, potential damage and control. 

Description: Adult beetles are about 3/16 of an inch long with a grayish or brownish color pattern. They are usually covered with soil particles, giving them a dusty appearance.
Damage Symptoms: Beetles feed on the edges of leaves and stems, producing notched holes in the leaves.
Incidence: May, on seedling corn.
Sampling Scheme: None available.
Economic Threshold: Use cutworm thresholds to determine the need to treat.

Common Stalk Borer in Corn, NebGuide 521
The life history and appearance of common stalk borers is described, along with information on damage they can cause, economic injury levels and ways to control them in corn.

Western Bean Cutworm in Corn and Dry Beans, NebGuide 2013
Western Bean Cutworm Speed Scouting Spreadsheet, EC1585
Scouting and Treating Western Bean Cutworms

• More wireworm images from High Plains IPM
• More seed corn maggot images from High Plains IPM