Guide to Early Season Corn Pests

July 26, 2022

The scouting process is essential to understanding your crop’s needs and managing it accordingly to protect your maximum harvest potential. Beginning shortly after planting, you should look for signs of insects that can damage your seeds and seedlings.

Damage may be evident above- or below-ground. The following is a list of potential pests, the soil and field conditions they enjoy, how to scout them, and the best options for prevention and targeting:


The scouting process is essential to understanding your crop’s needs and managing it accordingly to protect your maximum harvest potential. Beginning shortly after planting, you should look for signs of insects that can damage your seeds and seedlings.

Damage may be evident above- or below-ground. The following is a list of potential pests, the soil and field conditions they enjoy, how to scout them, and the best options for prevention and targeting:

SCOUTING AND PREVENTING EARLY SEASON CORN PESTS LOVES SCOUT TARGET BLACK CUTWORM 1½ INCHES Fields with lush annual winter weed growth Rescue treatments available when 2% to 4% of the plants are cut below ground or 6% to 8% of the plants are cut above the soil surface At corn emergence through V4-V5 growth stages - examine plants at 10 different areas WHITE GRUBS The mesocotyl in corn seedlings A few days prior to planting - direct soil sample and count number per square foot or Postemergence - exam ine where grub damage becomes apparent 1½ INCHES No rescue treatments available - use seed treatments or soil-applied insecticide WIREWORMS Seeds, roots, lower soil temperatures, and fields where small grains were planted two to four years prior Two to three weeks prior to planting - set up bait stations (12 per 40 acres) 1½ INCHES Use preventative seed treatment or soil-applied insecticide when one or more wireworms are found per bait station

Keep an eye out for pests like black cutworm, white grubs, and wireworms to help control problems like stand loss and susceptibility to disease and to avoid missing the window for rescue treatments. For more information, consult our article on the 5 Reasons to Scout For Early Season Pests.

Lastly, remember that when it comes to above- and below-ground pests, SmartStax PRO with RNAi Technology and Acceleron® Seed Applied Solutions corn offering help protect corn, boosting your yield potential.

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