The southern corn leaf beetle is one of those odd insects that has caused some stand loss in southern Iowa during the last couple of years. Problems are now occurring in Illinois and it is possible that farmers in southern Iowa may encounter the insect again. Because it is uncommon in Iowa, at least so far, I have had very little experience with this insect. The following information on biology and management of this insect was provided by Mike Gray and Kevin Steffey, entomologists at University of Illinois. Most of their information came from an article written in 1915 by an USDA entomologist.
Iowa State University
Rice, Marlin E., "Southern corn leaf beetles in southern Iowa" (2001). Integrated Crop Management News. 1970.
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