Seedcorn maggot is a seed and seedling pest of corn and soybean. Plant injury is especially prevalent during cool and wet springs. The larvae, or maggots, feed on germinating corn and soybean seeds or seedlings (Photo 1). They can feed on the embryo, delay development or kill the plant. Infestations tend to be field-wide instead of having a patchy distribution like for many other pests. To confirm seedcorn maggot injury, check field areas with stand loss and look for maggots, pupae and damaged seeds (e.g., hollowed out seeds or poorly developing seedlings).



Figure 1. Degree days accumulated (base 39°F) for seedcorn maggot in Iowa (January 1 – May 12, 2019). Map courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet, ISU Department of Agronomy.



Biology

Seedcorn maggots overwinter in Iowa as a pupa in the soil. Adult flies emerge and mate in April and May, and females lay eggs in soil. Maggot densities will be higher in soils with high organic matter. Land that is heavily manured may be especially attractive to early-laying females. Recent soil tillage, regardless of residue type, is attractive to egg-laying females. This fly species has a lower developmental threshold of 39°F and upper threshold of 84°F. Peak adult emergence for the first generation is at 360 accumulated degree days. There are 4-5 generations per year in our area.

Identification

Seedcorn maggots are white, legless and 1/4 inches long with a tapered body (Photo 1). The maggots have a black mouth with hook-like mouthparts to feed. The pupa is brown and looks like a “wheat seed” (Photo 1). The adult fly is grey to brown in color with red eyes. Adult seedcorn maggots are 1/20th inches long and look like a small house fly (Photo 2).



Photo 1. Seedcorn maggot (left) and pupae. Photo by Brian Lang, Iowa State University.





Photo 2. Seedcorn maggot adult is a small, grey fly. Photo by www.ipmimages.org.



Management

There are no rescue treatments for seedcorn maggot. No-till fields are less attractive to egg-laying females. Target planting when soil and moisture conditions are conducive to quick germination and vigorous growth to reduce seed and seedling pest problems. Farmers with persistent seedcorn maggot infestations should consider a later planting date, shallow planting, higher seeding rates, and terminating cover crops early (Bessin 2004). Waiting two weeks (or 450 growing degree days) after tillage or manure applications to plant corn or soybean should provide enough time for the seedcorn maggots to complete development and move to another host (Gessell and Calvin 2000).

Insecticidal seed treatments are also an option for persistent seedcorn maggot pressure. If significant stand loss occurs, replanting the field is an option. A replant decision should be based on percent stand loss and cost of additional seed. Corn and soybean resources to aid in replant decisions are available through the ISU Extension Store.

References

Bessin, R. 2003. Seedcorn maggots. ENTFACT 309, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Gesell, S., and D. Calvin. 2000. Seed corn maggot as a pest of field corn. Entomological notes, Department of Entomology, Penn State University.

Holm, K. and E. Cullen. 2012. Insect IPM in organic field crops: seedcorn maggot. A3972-01. University of Wisconsin Extension.