By Erin Hodgson and Adam Sisson, Department of Entomology
A few areas of Iowa are approaching 50 percent corn rootworm egg hatch now (Figure 1), including the Muscatine area. Many other regions will be reaching 700 degree days within 7-14 days, depending on future temperatures. Cooler spring temperatures in 2013 have slowed down development, especially compared to rootworm hatch last year.
Figure 1. Predicted corn rootworm egg hatch in Iowa as of June 13, 2013. Expect 50 percent hatch between 684-767 degree days. Map data courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet, ISU Department of Agronomy. Click here for current degree day accumulation for corn rootworm.
Corn rootworm egg hatch in Iowa typically occurs from late May to the middle of June, with an average hatching date around June 6. Development is driven by soil temperature, which is measured by degree days. Research suggests about 50 percent of egg hatch occurs between 684-767 accumulated degree days (base 52°F, soil). Shortly after each egg hatch, young larvae will begin feeding on root hairs and inside roots. At they develop, larvae (Photo 1) will begin feeding on root tips. A severe infestation can destroy nodes 4-6, which interferes with water/nutrient uptake and makes the plant unstable (Photo 2).
Photo 1. Corn rootworm larvae are slender and white with a dark head and tail section. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.
Photo 2. Severe corn rootworm larvae feeding can cause plants to lodge. Photo by Gary Munkvold, Iowa State University.
Roger Elmore, ISU Extension corn agronomist, reported the weather has delayed corn planting in 2013. But with the predicted egg hatch starting in late May and early June, the larvae should have sufficient root tissue to feed on because corn will be germinated. Saturated soils during egg hatch will diminish overall corn rootworm pressure, and the high adoption of Bt corn should decrease populations in most fields. However, every field should be scouted for corn rootworm damage regardless of the seed selection (i.e., corn rootworm populations are the highest priority for inspection. Assess corn rootworm root injury and adjust management strategies if the average injury is above 0.5 on a 0-3 rating scale. Aaron Gassmann, ISU corn entomologist, has a webpage for additional corn rootworm management information, including an interactive node-injury scale demonstration and efficacy evaluations.
Erin Hodgson is an assistant professor of entomology with extension and research responsibilities; contact her at ewh@iastate.edu or (515) 294-2847. Adam Sisson is an Integrated Pest Management extension specialist. Sisson can be reached at ajsisson@iastate.edu or (515) 294-5899
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Erin Hodgson Professor
Dr. Erin Hodgson started working in the Department of Entomology, now the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, at Iowa State University in 2009. She is a professor with extension and research responsibilities in corn and soybeans. She has a general background in integrated...
Adam Sisson Extension Specialist
Adam Sisson is an extension specialist with the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and a Certified Crop Adviser. Sisson focuses on the development of publications and other educational resources for farmers, agribusi...