Pests Who Love Corn Seeds

Certain worms and insects like to prey on corn seed, and they start their work below the surface of the soil before the seed has a chance to grow into an adult plant. These worms either hollow out the corn seeds while they are in the soil, or tunnel through the seedlings and damage the early corn plant.

The corn rootworm and wireworm are very common. Rootworms are the most frequent and bothersome corn pest. Other seed corn pests are particular breeds of maggots that love to burrow into corn seeds. There are also corn seed beetles that like to eat the worms that attack corn seeds.

The Smart Rootworm

As you plan your vegetable garden, keep in mind that the corn rootworm is so tenacious that it even withstands the traditional pest prevention method of crop rotation. The rootworm has learned to rotate with the crops and move to whichever field is growing corn that year. In some areas, rootworms started laying eggs that take two years to hatch, usually right in time for the new crop of corn in the same spot.

Insecticides and rootworm toxins are effective, although pricey, solutions for these stubborn rootworms. Farmers spend more controlling these pests than any other pests that feast on corn seed.

If you are a gardener, however, the price tag doesn’t have to be as high as you are growing corn on a small-scale. Check with your gardeners supply and seed companies for information on available chemicals to help prevent these rootworms from consuming your corn crop.

Monsanto is producing limited supplies of corn seed hybrids that have built-in protection against rootworms, but corn seed insecticides are currently the most popular choice of farmers. They are effective, although arguably less safe than the use of hybrids.

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