Mimeo E-49
January 1953
Rev. February 1957 (2M)
Purdue University
Agricultural Extension Service
Department of Entomology

Soil Insects
AND THEIR CONTROL
Several kinds of insects live in the soil and feed upon the roots and/or underground parts of corn, potatoes and other crops. Some also destroy seeds and prevent germination. The number and kind of such insects in the soil varies greatly from field to field and there may or may not be enough to cause trouble.

Listed below are the soil insects of most importance in Indiana. A brief description of the pests and the damage they cause is given to help growers determine if control is needed.

Wireworms - These are hard, slender, brown-colored, wirelike worms mostly about one inch long. They occur in all soil types but are most destructive in low, poorly drained areas. They require from 3 to 5 years to reach maturity. Wireworms will feed on germinating seeds, bore into potato seed pieces and mature tubers, eat the roots of plants and even bore upward into the stalks of plants, such as corn. Wireworms
are also serious pests of tobacco. Their control on that particular crop is best accomplished by specialized procedures described in Purdue Extension mimeo E-43, Tobacco Insect Control.

Corn Rootworms - These are small white worms which feed upon the roots of corn causing the stalks to lodge or "goose-neck". Rootworm damage is not common in Indiana, but individual fields may be damaged, especially if continuous corn is being grown.

Another type of damage is caused by the adult rootworms (small green or spotted beetles) which emerge during the summer and feed upon corn silks. They sometimes become numerous enough in river bottom fields to prevent proper pollination. If necessary, silk damage can be stopped by spraying the beetle-infested corn with 3 quarts of 25 percent DDT concentrate per acre. Dairy cr beef cattle, if any, should not be pastured on sprayed fields.

Seed Maggots and Beetles - These are tiny maggots and beetles which hollow out and destroy germinating seeds. They are most destructive in high organic matter soils and also in cold soils not conducive to rapid germination.

White Grubs - These are the familiar large curved grubs with brown heads. They are injurious to turf and also to row crops grown in fields that were in sod
(over)
Corn rootworm
Seed-corn maggot
Cutworm
Wireworm
Ant
White grub