Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera

Diabrotica virgifera is one of the most important pests of maize, wheat, soyabean and cucurbits in North America. Corn rootworms cause millions of dollars of damage each year. During summer, adult western corn rootworms enter into open field crops and lay their eggs in the soil. Larvae cause the gretest damage by feeding on roots which can cause >15% crop losses. Adults feed on on corn silk, pollen and kernels. Monitor adults using species-specific pheromone-baited yellow sticky traps to time treatments as part of an effective integrated pest management programme.
Western corn rootworm
Biology

 

Nature of Damage