Corn seedling maggot
The center leaf of a young seedling yellows and dies, with a cream colored maggot boring down inside the shoot.
Crops it attacks
Where the damage shows
When to act
From emergence to day 14, check 20 seedlings at each of five spots every two or three days for tiny white eggs on the leaves and yellowing center leaves. Once a dead heart shows, the maggot is inside and a spray comes too late. Where many seedlings carry eggs in the first week and the seed was not treated, a spray on the young plants can still pay.
What to spray
- ThiamethoxamIRAC 4AShopeeLazada
- ImidaclopridIRAC 4AShopeeLazada
- Clothianidin plus imidaclopridIRAC 4A plus 4AShopeeLazada
- FipronilIRAC 2BShopeeLazada
- TetraniliproleIRAC 28ShopeeLazada
- Lambda cyhalothrinIRAC 3AShopeeLazada
- Fenobucarb (BPMC) plus chlorpyrifosIRAC 1A plus 1BShopeeLazada
- CarbofuranIRAC 1AShopeeLazada
- ChlorpyrifosIRAC 1BShopeeLazada
- DeltamethrinIRAC 3AShopeeLazada
- Beta cypermethrinIRAC 3AShopeeLazada
- Lambda cyhalothrin plus thiamethoxamIRAC 3A plus 4AShopeeLazada
Active ingredients only, never brands. The IRAC group tells how it works: switch to a different group next time, so the pest does not learn to survive it. Spray only when the damage is worth the cost, and only with products registered with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority for your crop. Follow the label. The Shopee and Lazada links only show who sells something with that active ingredient, not a recommendation of any seller or product.
How to prevent it
- Plant treated seed: the seed treatment covers the first two weeks, when the fly lays its eggs.
- Plant at the same time as the farms around you, and do not plant late beside young corn that is already attacked.
- Prepare a fine, well drained seedbed and plant at the right depth, so seedlings race through the risky first two weeks.
- Pull and destroy seedlings with dead hearts early, and replant the gaps.
- Plow under stubble and clear grassy weeds that host the fly between crops.
Natural enemies and biological help
- Spiders, ants, rove beetles and small wasps attack the eggs and maggots. Avoid broad sprays at emergence.
Not sure it is this one?
Many pests look alike. Send a photo to Anee, the smart farm technician in anee.io. She reads it with your crop, its age and the weather, and tells you what it most likely is and what to do first. In Tagalog or English.