Identification is based on symptoms of crop injury rather than insect taxonomy.
A diagnostic key divides corn growth states into four periods. The key is used by finding the appropriate growth stage and locating the crop injury symptoms that are observed in the field. The publication contains more than 100 color photographs of corn pests and the characteristic symptoms of the damage they cause. A profile of each pest describes its appearance and life cycle, characteristic damage, management options, distribution, and the fields most likely to sustain injury. A timeline charts the usually annual appearance of corn insect pests in Missouri and Illinois.