Corn: Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica
virgifera and Diabrotica barberi)
Pub 812: Field Crop
Protection Guide > Chapter
1: Corn > Corn Rootworm
Field Crop Protection Guide 2011-2012, Order
2011-2012 publication
Table of Contents
- Description
- Integrated Pest Management Options
- Soil-Applied at Planting Only
- tefluthrin - Force 3 G
- chlorpyrifos - Lorsban 15 G, Pyrifos 15 G
- Seed Treatment
- clothianidin - Poncho 1250
- thiamethoxam - Cruiser 5 FS
- Transgenic
- Bt corn - Agrisure 3000GT, Agrisure RW, Agrisure Viptera
3111, Genuity
SmartStax, Genuity VT Triple Pro. Herculex RW, Herculex
XTRA, SmartStax, YieldGard Plus, YieldGard VT, Rootworm,
YieldGard VT Triple
- Related links...
Description
There are two species of corn rootworm in Ontario. Western corn
rootworm (WCR) adults are yellow to green with three, wavy black
stripes on their wings. Northern corn rootworm (NCR) adults are
uniformly green to yellowish. Larvae are white with a brown head
and a distinct dark tail plate; they are approximately 1 cm in length.
Image 1. Western corn rootworm adults are yellow
to green with three wavy black stripes on their back.
Image 2. Northern corn rootworm adults are usually
green to yellow and have no stripes.
Integrated Pest Management Options
Soil-Applied at Planting Only
Avoid planting corn following corn. Crop rotation is the best strategy
for control. Risk factors include heavier soil (clay), high beetle
populations in corn of previous season, and being the latest field
planted in the previous season.
If there is less than 1 beetle per corn plant on average throughout
the month of August, then no insecticide is necessary in the following
corn crop.
In-furrow application is safer to the applicator and non-target
animals than T-band application.
| Active ingredient |
tefluthrin |
| Trade name |
Force 3 G |
| Rate (product) |
37.5 g per 100 m (328 ft) row |
| Comments |
May be applied in a T-band or in-furrow. For banded
applications, place directly over the furrow in a 15-cm band
ahead of the press wheel. For in-furrow applications, place
all material directly in the open seed furrow, behind the planter
disc openers. |
| |
Lorsban 15 G |
Pyrifos 15 G |
| Active ingredient |
chlorpyrifos |
chlorpyrifos |
| Trade name |
Lorsban 15 G |
Pyrifos 15 G |
| Rate (product) |
75 g per 100 m (328 ft) row |
75 g per 100 m (328 ft) row |
| Comments |
Must be applied in a 10–15-cm band over the
row behind the planter shoe, in front of the press wheel. Do
not place in direct contact with seed. 24-hr re-entry period. |
Seed Treatment
Seed treatments are best suited for those fields at high risk of
rootworm infestations, especially if planting corn after corn.
| Active ingredient |
clothianidin |
| Trade name |
Poncho 1250 |
| Rate (product) |
166.7 mL per 80,000 kernels |
| Comments |
For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only.
For low-to-moderate rootworm populations. Seed-applied insecticides
can affect seed drop and final plant stands. Use talc or graphite
according to planter recommendations to ensure planting accuracy.
A 30-day plantback interval for cereal grains, grasses, soybeans
and dried beans is required. |
| Active ingredient |
thiamethoxam |
| Trade name |
Cruiser 5 FS |
| Rate (product) |
166.7 mL per 80,000 kernels |
| Comments |
For use in commercial seed treatment facilities only.
For low-to-moderate rootworm populations. Do not graze or feed
livestock on treated areas for 45 days after planting. |
There are some potential causes of western corn rootworm developing
resistance to Cry3Bb in the U.S. Using Bt corn product with multiple
Bt traits that control corn rootworm may help to slow resistance
development. To manage potential rootworm resistance, plant the
appropriate refuge for the Bt corn trait used and follow all insects
resistance management strategies mandated by the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency. Refuge can be treated for rootworm larvae with soil-applied
insecticides if thresholds perscribe it.
For more information regarding Bt corn and/or refuge options, see
the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition website at www.cornpest.ca.
See Table 9-4.
| Active ingredient |
Bt corn |
| Trade name |
Agrisure 3000GT, Agrisure RW, Agrisure Viptera 3111, Genuity
SmartStax, Genuity VT Triple Pro. Herculex RW, Herculex XTRA,
SmartStax, YieldGard Plus, YieldGard VT, Rootworm, YieldGard
VT Triple |
| Rate (product) |
See Table 9-4, Transgenic Crops Expressing Insecticidal
or Fungicidal Traits, on page 119, for Bt corn options. |
| Comments |
Use Bt hybrids in fields of continuous corn with moderate-to-high
populations of rootworm. Keep careful and accurate records as
to where Bt and non-Bt hybrids are planted. |
Related links...
