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Seedcorn Maggot
Adult seedcorn maggots are grayish brown and resemble small houseflies.
Adults emerge in early April and begin host finding and egg laying.
The damaging stage is the maggot or larva, which is a pale, yellow-white,
legless, and a maximum length of 1/4 inch long. Usually the first of
three larvae generations damages to crop. These larva feed for 2-4
weeks before pupating. The maggots attack the young plants by boring
into the seeds or developing cotyledons. They may also feed on developing
roots , resulting in seeds that do not germinate, damaged primary
leaves, stunted plants, or an affliction called "snakehead" beans. Wet,
cool weather, as well as high levels of organic matter (such as fresh
green manure) increase the chance for seedcorn maggot injury. The
severity of the damage increases with slower germination and earlier
infestation. Turning over fresh green manure before planting will
increase the likelihood of infestation as well. |
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