Which insect causes lodging in corn due to larval feeding on the roots?

Which insect causes lodging in corn due to larval feeding on the roots?

• A. corn rootworm
• B. black cutworm
• C. Japanese beetle
• D. wireworm

Answer: (A)

When the root system is damaged by feeding larvae, the plant loses its anchor in the soil and becomes easier to lodge in wind or heavy rain. The pest that fits this scenario best is the corn rootworm larva, which specifically targets corn roots, pruning and destroying them and weakening the root mass. With roots compromised, the stalk can’t stay upright, leading to lodging. Other pests listed don’t match this root-focused damage as directly. For example, cutworm larvae cut seedlings at or just below the soil surface, causing stand loss rather than gradual root weakening and lodging. Japanese beetle larvae feed on roots as well, but they’re not the classic cause of corn lodging in field conditions. Wireworms do damage roots too, but the characteristic, severe root pruning that leads to lodging is most strongly associated with corn rootworm larvae.

When the root system is damaged by feeding larvae, the plant loses its anchor in the soil and becomes easier to lodge in wind or heavy rain. The pest that fits this scenario best is the corn rootworm larva, which specifically targets corn roots, pruning and destroying them and weakening the root mass. With roots compromised, the stalk can’t stay upright, leading to lodging.

Other pests listed don’t match this root-focused damage as directly. For example, cutworm larvae cut seedlings at or just below the soil surface, causing stand loss rather than gradual root weakening and lodging. Japanese beetle larvae feed on roots as well, but they’re not the classic cause of corn lodging in field conditions. Wireworms do damage roots too, but the characteristic, severe root pruning that leads to lodging is most strongly associated with corn rootworm larvae.