Environmental Entomology (1984) 13, 1245-1248

Timothy B. Johnson, F.T. Turpin and M.K. Bergman (1984)
Effect of foxtail infestation on corn rootworm larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) under two corn-planting dates
Environmental Entomology 13 (5), 1245-1248
Abstract: The impact of foxtail (Setaria spp.) infestations on corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) populations was studied in corn planted in early May and early June during 1981, 1982, and 1983. Delaying corn planting significantly reduced corn rootworm larval and adult populations in both foxtail-infested and weed-free corn plots. Compared with weed-free corn plots, weedy plots had significantly fewer corn rootworm larvae and adults in 1 of 3 years and numerically fewer in 3 years. Regression analysis was used to investigate adult corn rootworm emergence in 1981. Delaying corn planting significantly delayed 50% occurrence of corn rootworm adults. Foxtail infestation also delayed corn rootworm emergence, but differences were nonsignificant. The interaction of alternate food sources (foxtail) and weed competition on corn plant growth and corn rootworm food availability is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diabrotica virgifera	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	U.S.A. (NE)
	Diabrotica barberi	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	U.S.A. (NE)
	Setaria viridis (weed)	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
	Setaria pumila (weed)	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	U.S.A. (NE)