Larvae can be found inside damaged seeds or in the soil nearby. The first sign of seedcorn maggot damage are areas in the field where seedlings have not emerged. Seedcorn maggots hollow-out seeds or eat portions of seedlings.
Damage is most common in early plantings while the soil is cool, and if organic matter is high.
Later plantings with warmer soil conditions will reduce damage from seedcorn maggot. A slurry seed treatment is the best preventative control if cotton must be planted early in fields with decaying organic matter. The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies. Slurry treatment with appropriate delinted seed fungicide. Toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife.