|
|
How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Corn
Seedcorn Maggot
Scientific name: Delia platura
(Reviewed 1/06,
updated 1/06)
In this Guideline:
|
|
|
The seedcorn maggot adult is a slender, light gray fly, about 0.2
inch long; it is less robust appearing than the housefly. The whitish eggs are
slightly curved with their posterior bluntly rounded. Mature larvae range from 0.2 to 0.25 inch in length, are white to whitish yellow,
cylindrical, and taper anteriorly. Pupae are small brown capsules. In California, the seedcorn maggot is abundant
primarily in spring, during or following a wet cycle, and is most common in
fields containing a high amount of residue from a previous crop or where manure
has been spread.
Seedcorn maggots burrow into corn seeds and prevent germination.
Slow emergence and poor stand establishment are signs of seedcorn maggot
activity. Where slow, spotty emergence is observed, dig up seeds and
inspect for maggot feeding. Soil and weather conditions such as cool soil
temperature and periods of excessive moisture favoring slow seed germination
and seedling emergence increase susceptibility to seedcorn maggot infestation.
A preventive treatment (seed or broadcast) is the best method of
control. To reduce attractiveness of a field to egg-laying adults, disc or plow
early in the season, incorporating residues from a previous crop and destroying
weed growth. Plant under ideal soil and weather conditions to assure rapid seed
germination and minimize the seedcorn maggot problem.
Organically
Acceptable Methods
Discing to incorporate crop residues and
destroy weed growth and planting under ideal conditions are the best way to
manage this pest in an organically certified crop.
| Common name |
Amount/Acre** |
|
| (trade name) |
|
|
|
| The following materials are listed in order of
usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on
natural enemies. Also consider information relating to water quality when
choosing a pesticide.
|
| |
| BEFORE PLANTING |
| A. |
THIAMETHOXAM |
|
|
| |
(Cruiser) 5FS |
|
|
| |
MODE OF ACTION: A
neonicotinoid (Group 4A)1 insecticide.
|
| |
COMMENTS: A seed
treatment. Use allowed under a
supplemental label. Do not apply
other neonicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticides within 45 days of planting seed treated with this product. |
| |
|
|
|
| B. |
CLOTHIANIDIN |
|
|
| |
(Poncho) |
|
|
| |
MODE OF ACTION: A neonicotinoid (Group 4A)1
insecticide.
|
| |
COMMENTS: A seed treatment. Do not apply other neonicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticides within 45 days of planting seed treated with this product. |
| |
|
|
|
| C. |
DIAZINON* 50W |
4–8 lb/acre |
|
| |
MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1
insecticide.
|
| |
COMMENTS: Broadcast before
planting; incorporate to a 2-inch depth immediately. Avoid drift and tailwater runoff into surface waters. |
|
|
UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Corn
UC ANR Publication 3443
Insects and Mites
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
S. D. Wright, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
C. G. Summers, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
C. A. Frate, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
Acknowledgement for contributions to the Insect and Mites section:
M. J. Jimenez, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare Co.
Top of page
|