northern corn rootworms (Diabrotica barberi) at Decorah Fish Hatchery IA 653A6446
New England asters add a pleasing splash of purple color to the prairies now before freezing temperatures put them down and late-season pollinators take advantage of that final pollen source. These tiny northern corn rootworms are a very common beetle here in Iowa during autumn since we have so much of their larval food source around. Females lay their eggs at the base of corn plants in the fall and the eggs overwinter in the soil there. Larvae hatch next spring and feed on the roots of developing corn plants. Pupation takes place in late June and adult beetles emerge from mid-July into autumn. These gorgeous little green corn rootworm beetles will continue feeding on flower pollen until the first killing frost.
northern corn rootworms (Diabrotica barberi) at Decorah Fish Hatchery IA 653A6446
New England asters add a pleasing splash of purple color to the prairies now before freezing temperatures put them down and late-season pollinators take advantage of that final pollen source. These tiny northern corn rootworms are a very common beetle here in Iowa during autumn since we have so much of their larval food source around. Females lay their eggs at the base of corn plants in the fall and the eggs overwinter in the soil there. Larvae hatch next spring and feed on the roots of developing corn plants. Pupation takes place in late June and adult beetles emerge from mid-July into autumn. These gorgeous little green corn rootworm beetles will continue feeding on flower pollen until the first killing frost.