Seed treatments, black cutworms, and white grubs: What should you expect?

Abstract

<p>More and more corn producers will be planting hybrids this spring with an insecticide applied directly to the seed. These seed treatments belong to a class of insecticides known as the neonicotinoids and depending on the rate, they offer the promise of control of seedcorn maggots, wireworms, white grubs, black cutworms, and even corn rootworms. Prevention of cutting and stand loss from soil-dwelling pests is a goal of many corn producers. The seed treatments, such as Cruiser®, Gaucho®, and Poncho®, are systemic in action, meaning that the chemical is absorbed from the seed coat by the growing seedling and transported to the more actively growing sections of the plant, i.e., new leaves and roots.</p>