Addressing the Pest: Seed Corn Maggot in Sweet Corn

The Seed Corn maggot (SCM) (Delia platura) is a serious pest of many horticultural and agronomic crops worldwide. The larvae feed on seed before and during germination and emergence, killing or stunting the plant and exposing it to secondary infections. The host range of D. platura includes the seed of legumes, cucurbits, Allium species, decomposing plant material, and sweet corn. SCM is common in Western Colorado, especially in sweet corn production. The acreage of conventionally grown sweet corn in Colorado has declined in recent years as other production regions become more competitive. Conversely, demand for organic sweet corn continues to flourish and offers growers a lucrative market. Seed treatment with insecticides is a common and effective method used in conventional agriculture. However, conventional seed treatment materials are not allowed in certified organic production. For organic sweet corn to continue to be a profitable and productive avenue for Colorado growers, more effective control of SCM is imperative. Identifying organic methods to mitigate the damage by SCM will not only benefit Colorado sweet corn growers but also growers of other crops that are within the host range of SCM.

We performed trapping during the 2022 growing season to assess the lifecycle of D. platura adults.