Health Network News

The number one cause of corn infestation in the US corn belt is the corn rootworm beetle. Three species of corn rootworms thrive in Kentucky. These are the northern, western and southern corn rootworms and they all harm corn by chewing on the roots of the young plant. Their main differences lie in their physical characteristics and their life cycles. Adult rootworms look like small green beetles and are inch in size. The most common rootworm is the western corn rootworm and is characterized by the three black stripes on its pale green body. The southern corn rootworm or the spotted cucumber beetle is recognized by the 11 black spots on its green wing covers. The least common species among the three is the northern corn rootworm which lacks any type of markings on its wing covers.

The grownups emerge in July and can harm corn later in the summer. The grownups will feed on the upper layer of the foliage, generally focusing destruction close to the leaf tips. Damage on leaves appears dark brown where the lower surface area of the leaf is left out. The grownups will nourish themselves on the silks if they may be existing. If this develops ahead of pollen shed, they have got the possibility to intervene with the pollination process if their quantities are huge.

Corn plants which have been heavily damaged by rootworm larvae often have a characteristic ‘goose-neck’ which makes the plants fall over partially and bend upwards. Adult corn rootworms appear in July and damage the corn in the late summer. The adults feed on the upper surface of the leaves, near the leaf tips which makes it brown. Adults also feed on corn silk if it is already present. Adults may interfere with corn pollination especially if their numbers are high.

Since the southern corn rootworm lays its eggs in the springtime, it might be known as a pest of first year corn. Then again, while troubles in corn are unheard of, financial deficits from this particular insect in Kentucky are not usual. Apart from crop rotation, there are many other effective treatments for corn rootworm such as seed remedies, soil insecticides (liquid or powdered form), and additional corn possibilities. In Kentucky, continuous consequences are demonstrated with every one of these strategies. When choosing among these strategies, growers should at the same time give consideration to what other unwanted insects they might need protection from, as a number of these remedies can concentrate on many unwanted insects.

Corn plants which were heavily ruined by corn rootworm larvae often fall over partially and may start to bend upward. This is characteristic of rootworm impairment and is called ‘goose-necking’ of corn. Damaged roots will frequently build a proliferation of supplementary roots and may show signals of drought stress possibly even through periods of adequate soil dampness. The problems carried out by the larvae to corn roots can be substantial. Corn plants acquire roots on accelerating rings, the corn rootworm larvae can hurt about three or more full rings of roots in the course of June if communities are severe.