It is the first that does the severe damage. The second and third generation appear in mid- and late summer. Because the weather and seed corn maggot populations are very variable, take precautions every year to keep damage from this insect to a minimum. Otherwise, the seed corn maggot will probably not be detected until seeds and seedlings are lost. Then it is too late for effective control on the planting, and the field must either be replanted or left as a poorly developed stand.
Control consists of preventing seed corn maggot damage.
Plant in a well-prepared seedbed only deep enough for adequate soil moisture. Reduce use of organic fertilizer in the seeded row, whenever possible. Reset or replant heavily damaged fields to get an adequate stand. If using untreated seed, protect them with an insecticide seed treatment product. Planter box treatments are available and very effective for use in larger plantings.