1st Place: Determining the relationship between Asiatic garden beetle larval density and damage to field corn

Monday, November 14, 2022

10:42 AM – 10:54 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 210

Presenting Author(s)

KA

Kyle Akred

Graduate Research Associate
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio

Co-Author(s)

AR

Amy Raudenbush

Research Associate
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
AP

Adrian Pekarcik

Graduate Research Assistant/Student
The Ohio State University
Orrville, Ohio
SB

Suranga Basnagala

The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio
KT

Kelley J. Tilmon

Professor
The Ohio State University
Wooster, Ohio

The Asiatic Garden Beetle, Maladera formosae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is an invasive annual white grub species that has caused significant damage in recent years to field corn of northern Ohio and Indiana as well as southern Michigan. In the spring, larvae that have successfully overwinter feed on the roots of seedling corn plants and may cause stand loss exceeding 40%. We lack formal management recommendations, including economic thresholds, for this pest in corn because it is relatively new in this context. An important component of an economic threshold is the relationship between pest density and resulting crop damage. The goal of this study is to provide data on Maladera formosae larval density and subsequent damage to corn plants. We grew corn plants in field microplot conditions with varying larval density. Symptoms of feeding such as delays in development, plant discoloration, wilting, and reduced plant height were monitored every 3-4 days post emergence. Once larvae pupated we measured the dry weight of both roots and shoots of the plants. These data will allow us to determine the relationship between larval density and plant damage in controlled settings and serve as the basis for future studies.