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Manage wheat stem maggot

University of Nebraska
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025

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Wheat stem maggot damage is surfacing in Nebraska corn — again.

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A corn plant has damage from wheat stem maggot at the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center. The tiller emerged on the right side of the plant.

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A cornfield with wheat stem maggot infestation ranges from 20 percent to 50 percent of plants infested. Corn was planted May 8; the cover crop was terminated May 9. The photo was taken June 9.

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The row on the right exhibits no signs of wheat stem maggot infestation; it was not planted into a cover crop. The corn row on the left was planted into a cover crop. That demonstrates how closely linked the cover crop is to wheat stem maggot infestation and that wheat stem maggot larvae are the source of infestation in corn.

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University of Nebraska

Some farmers and crop consultants in southern, central and eastern Nebraska are seeing young corn plants with wilted or dead leaves in the whorl. If producers cut those plants open, they may find a small white maggot — likely the wheat stem maggot. The larvae can be difficult to find. Recovery rates of larvae from damaged plants were 11 percent to 80 percent depending on the field, according to a past survey.

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Article is written by Justin McMechan, crop protection and cropping systems specialist; Jenny Brhel, Extension educator; Aaron Nygren, Extension educator; Julie Peterson, Extension entomologist; Travis J. Prochaska, Extension educator; Ron Seymour, Extension educator; and Talon Mues, Extension educator.

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