The immature stages of these insects are root feeders. Adults fly to silking popcorn fields during pollen shed.
Green silks are clipped by these insects. This can result in incomplete ear fill. Typically, kernels near the tip fail to develop because they are from the last silks to be produced.
Silk clipping insects may present a problem if damage occurs prior to pollination. Consider treatment if less than 75% of the plants in the field have silked, there are five or more rootworm beetles or 2 or more Japanese beetles per ear and silk clipping is occurring.
| Insecticide | Rate per Acre | Notes |
| Ambush 2 E | 6.4 - 12.8 fl oz | Apply prior to brown silk |
| Asana XL | 5.8 to 9.6 fl oz | Rootworm adults, 1 day PHI |
| Capture 2EC | 2.1 to 6.4 fl oz | 30 day PHI |
| Lannate 90 WSP | 1/4 to 1/2 lbs | 21 day PHI |
| Lorsban 4 E | 1 to 2 pints | 35 day PHI |
| Mustang Max | 2.72 to 4.0 fl oz | 30 day grain, 60 day silage PHI |
| Penncap-M | 2 to 4 pints(Japanese beetle) | 12 day PHI |
| Penncap-M | 1 to 2 pints(Rootworm beetles) | 12 day PHI |
| Pounce 3.2 EC | 4 to 8 fl oz | Apply prior to brown silk |
| Sevin 80 S | 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 lbs | 14 day PHI |
| Warrior T | 2.56 to 3.84 fl oz | 21 day PHI |
See ID-48, Silk Clipping Insects on Corn, for more information on damage and control.