• One generation per year
• Adults overwinter in soil, usually in grassy areas or small grain fields
• Adults become active in spring (April) and fly into corn fields
• Females lay 100 eggs in soil during spring
• Larvae feed on decaying plant debris and grass roots
• Larval development requires 57 days
• Corn roots are very poor host; few larvae survive
• Adults emerge in Sept/Oct, then enter hibernation

Integrated Pest Management Practices

• Planting location
  • Avoid planting corn into sod or grassy fields
  • Avoid minimum or no-till practices in grassy areas
• Planting time
  • Plant early and fertilize properly to encourage vigorous seedling growth to minimize seedling injury when beetles arrive in field
• Insecticides/Seed treatments
  • High rates (1250) of seed treatments may give “good”, but not “excellent” plant protection
  • Low rates (250 and 500) of seed treatments may give “fair” to “poor” plant protection
  • In fields at risk or with history of damage:
    • Use high rate of seed treatment (i.e. 1250)
    • planting granular soil insecticide (T-banded)
    • Use combination of low-rate seed treatment and liquid soil insecticide banded at planting
  • Do not spray insecticides after beetles arrive in fields and/or damage occurs to seedlings
• Scouting
  • No scouting programs have been developed that would predict at-risk fields or the potential for damage

Best Management Practices Using Pioneer Products

• Plant Pioneer® brand corn hybrids treated with Poncho® 1250 / VOTiVO
• Plant Pioneer corn hybrids treated with Cruiser Extreme® 250 and use a granular or liquid soil insecticide at planting