seedcorn maggot
Quick Summary
The seed-corn maggot is the larval stage of a small, grayish-brown fly (Hylemya platura). These yellowish grubs, with pointed heads, are native to Europe but are now widespread in North America.1
As their name suggests, seed-corn maggots are destructive pests that bore into seeds and seedlings of various crops, including corn, beans, and melons. They can also attack the stems or roots of older plants. While some anthomyiid flies are scavengers or aquatic, many, like the seed-corn maggot, are serious plant pests. The seed-corn maggot has a short life cycle with multiple generations per year, and damage can be reduced by delaying planting to avoid peak egg-laying periods.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
