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Western Corn Rootworm
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University) |
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Common Name: Western Corn Rootworm
Order: Coleoptera Family: Chrysomelidae Pest Status: Corn rootworms are serious pests of corn. Appearance: Adults are about 1/4-inch long and yellow with three black stripes running down the lengths of the wing covers. The wing covers of males may be entirely black except for narrow yellow margins and yellow tips. Life Cycle: The western corn rootworm life cycle is similar to the northern corn rootworm. Adults emerge in mid-summer and females begin laying eggs about two weeks after emergence. The eggs hatch the following spring. The newly hatched larvae find their way to corn roots, bore in, and begin feeding. The larval stage lasts about three weeks, then they move into the soil to pupate. The adults emerge in the summer. Where to Collect: Western corn rootworms can be found on the leaves or the silks of corn plants during mid- and late-summer. |
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