Cornell Study Finds Low Seedcorn Maggot Risk in Corn

By Blake Jackson

Cornell University researchers are working with nearly 80 New York farmers to identify practical ways to manage seedcorn maggots as the state prepares to phase out neonicotinoid seed treatments on corn, soybeans and wheat by 2029.

Early findings from statewide field trials are encouraging. Researchers compared corn grown from neonicotinoid-treated and untreated seed and found no meaningful difference in crop yields.

Katja Poveda, a Cornell entomology professor leading the project, said the research initially aimed to identify areas where farmers might face enough pest pressure to qualify for exemptions. Instead, the first-year results indicated that the overall threat is relatively small.

“On average we find five seedcorn maggots per 100 seeds and one seed damaged by seedcorn maggots out of 100 seeds, with no consequences for yield,” said Poveda.

Researchers found that planting too early, particularly when soil conditions are cold and wet, may create greater opportunities for seedcorn maggot damage. Weather stations installed on participating farms are helping growers monitor soil temperature, moisture, and other conditions before planting.

The project is coordinated by Cornell Integrated Pest Management with researchers, extension specialists, grower organizations, and farmers. Alejandro Calixto, director of Cornell IPM, described the effort as a major example of collaborative, on-farm research.

“This is the largest on-farm research and extension project Cornell IPM has ever done before,” said Alejandro Calixto, Director of Cornell IPM. “It’s a true collaboration, set up very intentionally with growers so they can see the results for themselves.”

The Birds and Bees Protection Act, passed in 2023, requires restrictions on neonicotinoids because of concerns about their effects on pollinators and other organisms. However, growers have expressed concerns about losing a pesticide they have relied on for decades.

“A lot of farmers feel like the neonics are cheap insurance,” Brian Reeves, a partner in Reeves Farms LLC said. “But maybe some good research will show that you could save some money and save the environment a little bit without them.”

The trials will continue through the 2029 phaseout, with researchers planning additional post-ban monitoring to evaluate crop performance and environmental effects.

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