{"id":25513,"date":"2025-05-07T18:53:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T18:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prograin.ca\/ca\/?p=25513"},"modified":"2025-05-07T18:53:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T18:53:46","slug":"the-seedcorn-maggot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prograin.ca\/ca\/en\/2025\/05\/07\/the-seedcorn-maggot\/","title":{"rendered":"The Seedcorn Maggot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Seedcorn Maggot, also known by its Latin name Delia Platura<\/em>, is the most common root maggot pest found in Quebec\u2019s soybean fields. As seeding<\/a> time approaches, you need to be aware of its presence and what it can do to your crops. Read this article to learn more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To begin, the Seedcorn Maggot produces an average of 2 to 4 generations every year. It is hard to know the exact number of generations because of their asynchronous emergence. Seedcorn Maggots can be observed in different development stages simultaneously in fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After overwintering underground in the form of pupae, the first generation of adult flies appears in the spring. They emerge when the soil is wet and outdoor temperatures are neither too warm nor too cold (min 3.9\u00b0C and max 33\u00b0C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The females lay their eggs close to the plants, in wet soils that are rich in organic matter. Each female lays more than 100 eggs per year in total, singly or ten at a time. The eggs hatch in about two days, when the temperature is between 20\u00b0 and 25\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larvae undergo three growth stages over the course of 1 to 4 weeks, during which time they feed on germinating soybeans. Then they return to the soil, burrowing down 7 to 13 cm, where they transform into pupae, either to hibernate or make way for the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eggs:  The eggs are white, elongated, and oval shaped. They measure 1 mm long by 0.3 mm wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Larvae:  The legless larvae are a translucent yellowish white. They have black hook-like mouthparts at the head end and tubercles at the abdominal end. The larvae range in size from 0.7 mm to 7 mm at maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Larvae of Seedcorn Maggot <\/sup>
@C\u00e9rom<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Pupae: The Pupas are brown, oval shaped and measure 4 to 5 mm long by 1.5 mm wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults: The adult fly is grayish brown with reddish eyes and a striped thorax. It measures between 4 and  7 mm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first two generations of Seedcorn Maggots are the ones that cause the most damage to soybean crops. The larvae tunnel into germinating seeds to feed. They munch on the plants\u2019 cotyledons, and damage stems and roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Damage on a soybean seed<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Changes in seeding and fertilizing techniques, and other large crop systems may be necessary to diminish its impact. Here are a few tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n