Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, IA
06-20-06
Lightning bugs mean rootworm is near
By MATTHEW WILDE, Courier Staff Writer
DENVER --- Lightning bugs are glowing again in Northeast Iowa.
To farmers that means one thing: It's time to start scouting for corn rootworms.
Monday's U.S. Department of Agriculture Crops and Weather Report said crops generally look in good condition with roots reaching deep for moisture.
Ken Eggena of rural Denver says the rhythmic flashes from the beetles help him keep roots safe and corn healthy. In actuality, the lightning bugs are trying to attract a mate.
"We'll start scouting for rootworm pressure this week. When I started to see the lightning bugs, it was time," Eggena said. "I guess both the corn and (lightning bugs) relate to the same heat units."
Crop and insect experts say the rootworm egg hatch in late May through mid-
June and the time the soil warms up enough for lightning bugs to emerge from their overwintering tunnels, pupate and start searching for a mate just happens to be at about the same time.
Peak rootworm feeding occurs from mid-June through mid-July. Since healthy roots, which take in water and nutrients, are vital to good corn yields, watching for and possibly spraying for the pests is essential.
Brian Lang, Iowa State University Extension crop specialist based in
Decorah , said farmers are at the very end of the window for applying a postemergence corn rootworm larval control treatment.
"(This week) will be the period of maximum larval feeding and any plant protection that will offer control should have been applied by now," Lang said in
Crop Notes.
The lack of moisture in many parts of the state is beginning to take a toll on crops. Plants in lighter soils and those on hilltops are showing signs of stress during periods of high temperatures.
Statewide, 55 percent of the topsoil is either rated very short or short of moisture.
Northeast Iowa, though, is the garden spot of the state. Parts of the region received more than an inch of rain last week and only 11 percent of the topsoil is

rated very short or short of moisture.
"I would say things look real good," Eggena said.
Iowa's oat crop is reported 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 17 percent fair,
62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. As of Sunday, 72 percent was headed, an increase of 30 points from last week, well above the five-year average.
The state's corn stand is 96 percent of normal, with the average height of plants at 24 inches. The crop is rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 53 percent good and 21 percent excellent.
Soybean emergence statewide is reported at 99 percent, which is ahead of both last year's rate and the five-year average of 93 percent. The crop is rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 58 percent good and 16 percent excellent.
Livestock are in good condition, with a few reports of fly problems in cattle and horses. There were also isolated reports of livestock being fed hay to supplement short pastures.
Contact Matthew Wilde at (319) 291-1579 or matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.