Control measures and yield loss have cost over a billion dollars to America s farmers due to this pest. Root feeding by larvae and silk clipping by adults are what cause the damage. The root damage leads to weaker plants and potential lodging.
Silk clipping reduces pollination of the ear and lowers yield.
The rootworm beetles over winter in the upper layers of soil as eggs. Development of the larvae begins in the spring of the year and the new larvae invade the root of corn plants. The young larvae begin eating the branching roots and as they grow older move into the base of the plant. This larval population reaches a peak around mid-July. After three larval instars the larvae reach the pupal stage.