Soybeans: Seedcorn Maggot (Delia platura)

Excerpt from Chapter 3, Field Crop Protection Guide, Order this publication

Table of Contents

1. Description
2. Integrated Pest Management Options
   • Seed Treatment
     • diazinon + captan – Agrox B-2
     • diazinon + captan – Agrox CD
     • thiamethoxam – Cruiser 5 FS
3. Related links...

Description

The seedcorn maggot is a small, yellowish-white, headless, legless larva. The body tapers to the front with two small mouth hooks protracting. The maggots burrow into germinating seeds and the below-ground parts of emerging seedlings, producing weak seedlings. The adults resemble a small housefly that is slender, light grey and approximately 5 mm in length.

Image 1. Seedcorn maggots are small, headless, legless larvae that burrow into germinating seeds and weaken the seedling.

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Integrated Pest Management Options

Seed Treatment

Consider insecticide seed treatments in early planted fields where large amounts of manure, green manure, or residue have been recently incorporated or when cool backward emergence conditions are expected. Expect only 60%-70% control with seed treatments applied on-farm.

Comments
Available as 2 kg container that will treat 625 kg of soybean seed. Do not use on seed already treated with an insecticide. Seed within 1 month of treatment.

Comments
Available as a 600-g container that will treat 300kg of corn seed. Use this product only on seed previously treated with captan or thiram.

Comments
For use in commercial seed treaters only. Use higher rate when insect populations are expected to be high. Do not graze or feed livestock on treated areas for 45 days after planting.

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Related links...

• Agronomy Guide for Field Crops - Publication 811
  • Soybeans: Seedcorn Maggot
• Insects
• Soybeans

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