Corn stem weevil

A field of sweet corn in Cape May County has an infestation of corn stem weevil affecting about 1/4 of a 10 acre field.  The adult weevils feed on newly emerged corn seedlings either on the stem or in the whorl causing erratic holes in the leaves and stems.  Other similar pest damage is from slug feeding and billbug, another weevil.  When disturbed the 2-3 mm long weevil drops to the ground where it is nearly invisible due to its salt and pepper coloration.  Serious plant injury has not been seen although some of the smaller seedlings today were heavily damaged and if survive may be stunted in their growth.

Joe Ingerson-Mahar