rootworms
Underground crop pests
Rootworms are beetle larvae that feed on plant roots, particularly destructive to corn and other crops.
The term usually refers to species of *Diabrotica*, whose larvae tunnel through root systems while adults eat leaves and silk.
Corn rootworm damage cost farmers billions annually.
The pests have developed resistance to many control methods, making them among agriculture's most economically significant insects.
Cereal grown on cobs
- maizeCob-bearing cereal crop
- field cornStarchy agricultural grain crop
- monocultureSingle-crop agricultural system
- Corn BeltMajor Midwest agricultural zone
farming · agronomy · planting date · soil health · commodity · grain production · tillage
Pest takeover situation
- lodgingTemporary place to stay
- stuntingArresting natural growth
- crop failureWhen fields yield nothing
- scoutingObserving to gather information
Food or larva
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- larval stageEarly developmental form
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- egg layingDepositing fertilized ova externally
hatchling · immature · development · life cycle · underground · pupation · emergence · overwintering
Study of insects
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
chitin · mandibles · tarsi · speciation · biodiversity · entomologist · insectarium · invertebrate
Alternating field plantings yearly
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- refugePlace of safety
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- thresholdPoint of beginning
corn
Cereal grown on cobs
- maizeCob-bearing cereal crop
- field cornStarchy agricultural grain crop
- monocultureSingle-crop agricultural system
Corn Belt · farming · agronomy · planting date · soil health · commodity · grain production · tillage
infestation
Pest takeover situation
- lodgingTemporary place to stay
- stuntingArresting natural growth
- crop failureWhen fields yield nothing
grub
Food or larva
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- larval stageEarly developmental form
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
egg laying · hatchling · immature · development · life cycle · underground · pupation · emergence · overwintering · egg mass
entomology
Study of insects
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
elytra · chitin · mandibles · tarsi · speciation · biodiversity · entomologist · insectarium · invertebrate · specimen
crop rotation
Alternating field plantings yearly
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- refugePlace of safety
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
threshold · organophosphate · neonicotinoid · biological control
- crop pestsaphids, aphid, armyworm, beetles, cutworms
- Soil Lifeearthworms, nightcrawler, nematodes, soil bacteria, millipede
- grain pestsgrain weevil, grain moth, rice weevil, corn borer
rootwormsJapanese beetles
Invasive scarab from Asia
aphids · hornworms · leafhoppers · fruitworms · cutworms
rootwormsbeneficial insects
Arthropods aiding agriculture
pollinators · parasitic wasps · ladybugs · ground beetles · earthworms