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CropWatch: Insect Management

Corn Insect Pests

Corn Pest Information

Please see the publications and insecticide recommendation tables linked on this page for current corn pest management information from UNL Extension.

Other related information can be found in the Insect Almanac from the Department of Entomology at UNL.

insect almanac

Corn Insect Quick Reference Guide (*pdf 537 KB; 7 pages)

Corn Insects I EC 1572 (*pdf, 2 pages)

Corn Insects II EC 1573 (*pdf, 2 pages)

Insects That Feed On Corn Ears NebGuide 1300 (*pdf version, 377 KB; 4 pages)

Insects that Attack Seeds and Seedlings of Field Crops, NebGuide 1023 (*pdf version, 724 KB; 4 pages)
How to identify and control 8 insects that feed on planted seeds and seedlings.

Corn Pest Diagnostic Key -UNL Dept. of Entomology

Southern Corn Leaf Beetle

southern corn leaf beetle

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.

Southern Corn Leaf Beetle blank space

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.

Soil Cutwormsblack cutworm

Corn Cutworms, NebGuide 1153
Cutworms -- identification of specific cutworms, conditions favoring infestations, potential damage and control.(*pdf version, 1.06 MB; 4 pages)

Insecticide Recommendations for Soil Cutworm Control in Corn

Black Cutworm identificationthumbnail image of cutworm identification image

 

 

 *Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


Corn Flea Beetlescorn flea beelte

Corn flea beetles vector NebFacts: Stewart's Wilt of Corn

Insecticide Recommendations for Corn Flea Beetles

  *Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


Spider Mitesspider mites

Spider Mite Management in Corn and Soybeans, NebGuide 1167
(*pdf version, 367 KB, 4 pages)

Insecticide Recommendations for Spider Mite Control in Corn

Nebraska Pest Management Guide from UNL Entomology

Spider Mite Resistance Management in Corn from UNL Entomologyspotted spider mites

 

 Spotted Spider Mites

 

 *Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


Stalk Borer in Corn

stalk borer

Insecticides for Stalk Borer Control in Field Corn

Common Stalk Borer in Corn, NebGuide 521 (*pdf version, 1.24 MB; 4 pages) 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.

 *Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


 

Fall Armyworm

Insecticide Recommendations for Fall Armyworm

Fall Armyworm

Fall Armyworm identification


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. (*pdf version, 376 KB; 4 pages)


Note: Click on insect image for a larger view.


 

Chinch Bugs in Corn

Insecticide Recommendations for Chinch Bugs in Corn

Chinch bugs on corn

 

Chinch Bug Management, Nebguide G806 (*pdf version, 276 KB; 4 pages)

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view. 


White Grubs

Insecticides Registered for Control of White Grubs in Field Corn

White Grubgrub damage

Grub damage

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


Corn Ear Worms

Insecticide Recommendations for Corn Ear Worms

corn ear worm

Insects That Feed on Corn Ears, NebGuide 1300 (*pdf version, 376KB; 4 pages)
This NebGuide discusses how to identify mature and immature insects that infest and damage ears of corn. 

 

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


Corn Leaf Aphids

Cereal Aphids, NebGuide (*pdf)
Identification and general discussion of the cereal aphid species most commonly found in Nebraska small grains, corn, sorghum and millet. 

Insecticide Recommendations for Corn Leaf Aphids

Description:
Small blue/green, usually wingless insects in the whorl and tassel.

Corn Leaf Aphid

Damage Symptoms:
Feeds by sucking juices from corn plant; does not inject salivary toxins.

Incidence:
Throughout the growing season.

Sampling Scheme:
Examine 5 sets of 20 plants during late whorl stage and tassel emergence.

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.


Corn Rootworm: Adults & Larvae

Insects That Feed on Corn Ears, NebGuide 1300 (*pdf version, 376KB; 4 pages)
This NebGuide discusses how to identify mature and immature insects that infest and damage ears of corn. 

Insecticide Recommendations for Corn Rootworms

Corn Rootworm Adults

From left to right: western, northern, and southern corn rootworm beetles

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.

Corn Root Worm Larvae

Corn Rootworm Larva

University of Nebraska Field Trial Results

Insecticide Recommendations for Corn Root Worm Larvae

Seed treatments, Planting-time treatments, Post-plant or rescue treatments.

*Note: Click on insect images for a larger view.