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New trapping network for corn rootworm

May 20, 2020 3:36 PM
Blog Post

Western and northern corn rootworms are serious corn pests in Iowa and the Corn Belt, reportedly responsible for over 1 billion dollars in yield loss and control costs annually in the United States. The larvae tunnel into and consume corn roots, which can reduce nutrient and water uptake (Figure 1). Extensive feeding can completely eliminate roots and cause lodging. One node (about 10 roots) of injury equates to approximately 15% yield loss under normal field conditions and even more when plants are drought-stressed.

Guidelines for Using Sticky Traps to Assess Corn Rootworm Activity

June 1, 2016
Variation in North Corn Rootworm

Western and northern corn rootworm are major corn pests in Iowa and surrounding states (Photos 1 and 2). Farmers have seen several management changes, including the release of four Bt-rootworm traits to suppress corn rootworm larvae since 2003. Although both species are persistent pests, western corn rootworm is particularly adaptable. The Gassmann Lab at Iowa State University (ISU) has demonstrated western corn rootworm resistance to all Bt rootworm traits in Iowa.

Crops: