The first western corn rootworm (WCR) adults were observed on June 12 in north central Kansas. There are still larvae feeding on roots but most are/have pupated and adults are emerging from soil.
None of the corn sampled in north central Kansas has tasseled or started silking yet. Thus, these adult western corn rootworms are feeding on leaf tissue in the early morning or early evening and resting in shady places during the hottest part of the day.
The photo below is a great example of WCR larval root pruning compared to a non-infested root system.
Jeff Whitworth, Extension Entomologist
jwhitwor@ksu.edu
Holly Davis, Entomology Research Extension Associate
holly3@ksu.edu