In 2003 and 2004, three preplant trapping methods were evaluated to compare efficacy and to determine the relative abundance of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae), annual white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), and seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Trapping methods included baited wire traps with 20 presoaked corn seeds plus black plastic covers; baited wire traps with 20 unsoaked corn seeds plus no covers; and bait stations consisting of 113 g each of presoaked wheat and corn plus black plastic covers. In several locations, both baited wire trap methods detected economic levels of damaged seeds when the bait station method failed to accurately identify these locations as at risk to economic damage.

Insects collected in traps were identified to species. The most common white grub was Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera castanea (Arrow), and the most common wireworm was Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal).

In 2003 and 2004, in most of the fields where preplant trapping methods were employed, several insecticidal seed treatments were evaluated in on-farm field trials in Virginia for their effectiveness against wireworms, annual white grubs, and seedcorn maggot. Stand count results indicated that most of the insecticidal seed treatments tested show promise for controlling germinating corn seed pests in Virginia, although yield results were often ambiguous.