Pest ID
- Seedcorn beetle eggs are oval and white in color.
- Larvae are tan with a white abdomen.
- Pupae are cylindrical in shape and are white in color.
- Seedcorn beetle is yellow brown with a long, rectangular black square in the center of each wing cover.
Facts on Seedcorn Beetle
- Two species of seedcorn beetles occur in the field, namely the seedcorn beetle and the slender seedcorn beetle.
- Despite their name, seeds are not the primary food source for seedcorn beetles. Rather, they feed primarily on other insects and are actually beneficial when doing so.
- Damage to corn seeds is more likely in cool, wet springs when the seeds are slow to germinate but the insects are still actively feeding.
- No-till fields are less likely to have damage.
Life Cycle of Seedcorn Beetle
- Seedcorn beetles overwinter as adults in soil and crop residue. The adults emerge, mate and lay their eggs in the soil.
- Seedcorn beetles may feed on slow germinating seed if the environmental conditions are cool and wet.
Management of Seedcorn Beetle
- Using a seed box treatment at planting can prevent injury.
- The use of a soil insecticide labeled for control of seedcorn maggot, seedcorn beetles and/or wireworms may also prevent insect damage to seeds.