Pollination interference in seed corn from silk feeding by Colaspis louisianae Blake (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae)

Field cage experiments initiated in 1980 indicated a 13.2% reduction in kernel production on seed corn ears artificially infested with C. louisianae Blake. Ears receiving heavy silk feeding (ca. 80% silk removal) produced fewer kernels than infested ears receiving only moderate to light silk feeding. In 1981, all infested ears incurred severe silk pruning which resulted in a 60.4% reduction in kernel set. The relationship between kernel production and both infestation level of C. louisianae and silk loss was linear. Pollen applied by hand to silks of infested ears reduced kernel loss.