A tiny beetle is trying to snack on your corn before you or your animals get a chance. Some fields in Door and Kewaunee counties have found evidence of the corn rootworm beetle in their fields, especially in areas where there were saturated soils or untreated corn planted. The tiny larvae eat away at the roots of the corn plant, lessening the amount of water and nutrients it can take in from the soil. With time it limits the growth of corn stalks, making them susceptible to weather damage. There is not a lot you can do if you find the effects of the corn rootworm in your field now, but Rio Creek Feed Mill agronomist Adam Barta says you can start planning for next year.

Insecticides could help once the larvae come above ground, but in many cases, the damage is already done. Barta expects to see more damage from the corn rootworm in the southern part of the state as more fields get scouted. He did offer some good news, adding armyworms have not been found yet and the impact of pests earlier the year due to the drought was minimal.

Picture provided by Adam Barta with stalks arranged by severity