How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

Sugarbeet

Seedcorn Maggot

Scientific name: Delia platura

(Reviewed 11/05, updated 1/10)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Larvae of the seedcorn maggot are small, pale or dirty-colored, yellowish white, legless maggots with tough skin. Adults are grayish brown flies and about 0.20 inch long.

DAMAGE

Seedcorn maggots feed on the seed and may destroy it. Injury is most severe during wet, cold periods.

MANAGEMENT

In California, seedcorn maggots are only occasional pests. They are usually associated with high levels of organic matter in fields that have recently had a cover crop disked in.

Common name		Amount/Acre	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(hours)	(days)
The following materials are listed in the order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees as well as the environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read the label of the product being used.
A.	PHORATE*
	(Thimet) 20G	4.5 oz/1000 row ft	72	30
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	COMMENTS: Apply at planting; do not place granules in direct contact with seed. Do not feed tops to livestock.
B.	CHLORPYRIFOS
	(Lorsban) 15G	8 oz/1000 row ft	24	30
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	COMMENTS: In-furrow at planting time. T-band or band at planting or postemergence.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1	Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For more information, see www.irac-online.org.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469

Insects and Mites

E.T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension Imperial County
Acknowledgement for contributions to Insects and Mites:
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern County
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis

Top of page