Corn rootworm populations have increased, prompting crop specialist Tracy Baute to advise farmers to make some management changes.
One issue is increasing resistance to control products, such as seed treatments and Bt-including hybrids.
Another is mild winters which increase pest survival rates and then this growing season has been ideal for corn rootworms to multiply.
“In general, the adult beetles are very abundant this year in any field,” Baute said.
That could mean bigger problems next year.
For the best chances at reducing the population, “we really need to try and take away corn in that system – not just within the field of concern but nearby fields too, because these beetles can fly,” Baute said.
“The beetles tend to lay their eggs where corn grows year after year. … Without the corn, the larvae won’t survive and populations significantly drop.”
