Seedcorn Beetle

Jump to: Pest ID Facts on Seedcorn Beetle Life Cycle of Seedcorn Beetle Management of Seedcorn Beetle

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.

Photo: Seedcorn beetle

Photo: Seedcorn beetle

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.