Effect of Winter Precipitation and Temperature on Overwintering Eggs of Northern an Western Corn Rootworms12

Abstract

The effect of winter precipitation and temperature on the overwintering eggs of the northern and western corn rootworm, Diabrotica longicornis (Say) and D. virgifera LeConte, respectively, was evaluated in the field by using spring and fall plowing to adjust the depth at which the eggs were buried in the soil. Lack of winter precipitation caused high mortality of eggs near the soil surface. Because South Dakota winters are so variable, neither fall nor spring plowing can be recommended as a reliable method of controlling corn rootworms.