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Seedcorn
Maggots are occasional pests of both corn and soybean seeds prior to
germination and can cause stand loss. Because this damage occurs below the soil
surface, it may be difficult to determine the need for an insecticide. There are
no rescue treatments for this insect, so you must apply an insecticide at
planting time if economic damage is anticipated. Seeds are at greatest risk for
injury when animal manure is spread on the soil or when plants are killed in the
spring and incorporated into the soil prior to planting. The adult female
seedcorn maggot (fly) lays her eggs in decaying organic matter. Damage is more
likely in cool, wet soils when the seeds are slow to germinate but the insects
are actively feeding. Fields that have last year's crop residue on the soil
surface or that are no-till should not have a problem with seedcorn maggots
unless an unusually cool and wet spring greatly delays plant emergence.
Germinating seeds alone are not sufficient to attract seedcorn maggots to the
field.
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