Seed Corn Maggot (SCM) Control in Spring Planted Vegetables

Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist; jwhalen@udel.edu

We continue to observe seed corn maggot flies actively laying eggs in a number of situations including recently plowed fields, especially when a cover crop is plowed under or when manure was applied to a field. Spring planted vegetables susceptible to maggot damage include cole crops, melons, peas, snap beans, spinach, and sweet corn. Control options can include commercial applied seed treatments, or soil insecticides; however, not all options are available for all crops. The hopper box treatment Latitude (imidacloprid) is available in our area and is only labeled on sweet corn. Please refer to the labels as well as the 2009 Delaware Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.