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Photos by Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent. April 2009Description and Biology of the Seedcorn Maggot Seedcorn maggots are the larval stage of a fly that infests the seeds and roots of many different vegetable crops. The cool, wet conditions this spring have been ideal for this pest. Seedcorn maggots also prefer feeding in soils with high organic matter. Control measures: The maggots like moisture, so try not to give more water than the plants need. Crop rotation and sanitation is extremely important and you never want to leave onion culls in the field, because they can harbor larvae that later mature and reinfest fields. Planting as late as possible in the spring allows for rapid seedling establishment (but of course may conflict with market demands). Avoid planting in soils that are high in undecomposed organic matter. If you amend your soil with manure then you want to leave plenty of time for it to decompose before planting. Post-harvest plowing to bury and rapidly decompose crop residues will help to reduce overwintering populations. Row covers placed over transplants at the time of planting can reduce egg-laying activity.
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It's pretty easy to spot the plants that have been damaged by the maggots. The plant in the middle has wilted and turned yellow. |
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Damage to the young onion bulb caused by the seedcorn maggots. |
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Close-up of seedcorn maggot feeding on young onion plant. They turn the bulbs to mush. |
