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Seedcorn Maggot Activity Beginning in Southern Iowa

April 10, 2023
Seedcorn maggot on soybeans.

Seedcorn maggot larvae feed on germinating seeds or seedlings of corn and soybean (Photo 1). Feeding can delay development or kill the plant, and plant injury is especially prevalent during cool, wet springs when plants grow slowly. Even with variable weather so far this spring, seedcorn maggot development is on track with previous years. Forecasted temperatures suggest that seedcorn maggot will likely develop quickly in the next few weeks.

Seedcorn Maggots Emerging in Southern Iowa

April 13, 2022
Seedcorn maggot on soybean. Photo by University of Minnesota Extension.

Seedcorn maggot larvae feed on germinating seeds or seedlings of corn and soybean (Photo 1). Feeding can delay development or kill the plant, and plant injury is especially prevalent during cool, wet springs when plants grow slowly. So far, this spring has been cooler and wetter than the past few years and this trend is expected to continue during the next couple of weeks.

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Seedcorn Maggots Flying in Iowa

April 16, 2020

Seedcorn maggot is a seed and seedling pest of corn and soybean. Plant injury is especially prevalent during cool and wet springs. The larvae, or maggots, feed on germinating corn and soybean seeds or seedlings (Photo 1). Feeding can delay development or kill the plant. Infestations tend to be field-wide instead of in patches like for many other pests. To confirm seedcorn maggot injury, check field areas with stand loss and look for maggots, pupae and damaged seeds (hollowed out seeds or poorly developing seedlings).

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Planting, residue management, herbicide recommendations for start of plant 2016

April 18, 2016 3:58 PM
Blog Post

Weather conditions this past week (April 13-17) kicked off corn planting for many farmers throughout the state. As soil temperatures rose above 50°F towards the end of the week, farmers were able to dive into fieldwork and planting corn.

See statewide planting progress and field conditions across Iowa here.