Managing corn rootworms continues to be a challenge across parts of the Corn Belt.

Nick Seiter, field entomologist at the University of Illinois, says their research is showing there are effective ways to combat corn rootworms and BT resistance.

"We continue to lose a little bit every year with our BT traits." He says, "We're evaluating RNAI traits. Those continue to be holding up well. So that's good. One thing we haven't seen in recent years in Illinois is resistance to insecticide."

He tells Brownfield the rootworm pressure this year is localized.

"Parts of Iowa, they've had a tremendous year for the beetles coming out and high rates of larval feeding on the roots." He says, "We haven't had that as much here in Illinois this year. Not that we don't have our pockets, but overall, we haven't had a lot of reports."

Seiter says crop rotation continues to be key.

"If you're rotated, instances of problems in that situation have been few and far between," he says.

Brownfield spoke with Seiter at the University of Illinois Insect Management Field Day.