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Early season insects to look for

An extension field crop entomologist says there are a few early season insects farmers should be aware of.

Ashley Dean with Iowa State University points to seed corn maggots and bean leaf beetles.

“Those are kind of the things that get our attention early in the season (because) we get a lot of questions about just those things that would be sitting in the soil waiting for seeds and eating young seedlings.”

She tells Brownfield seed treatments should provide good protection.

“Usually that can help take care of all of those early-season issues. But if the soil is cold and wet, typically those plants are growing really slow. And if the pests are already there, that can give them more time to feed on those seeds and seedlings.”

Dean says if conditions are cool and wet around planting, corn and soybean farmers need to be scouting for pests.

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